I'm glad that we're really taking our time with analyzing this novel. Although I can't say anything for Pride and Prejudice or Fifth Business, thus far Ceremony has been the hardest to understand. With more time dedicated to Ceremony I believe we'll not only gain a more complete understanding of the novel, but also valuable skills as literature analyzers.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Response to Course Material 11/20-12/11
Over Thanksgiving Break we completed a first read of Ceremony. To be honest, it was a big of a struggle. The ideas at first seemed jumbled, and I had trouble following the story in the format it was presented in. However, as we've begun to dissect the book, I feel that Ceremony is starting to make more sense.While the style is by no means traditional of American writing and provides a huge challenge, the supplementary articles as well as the information Ms. Holmes has provided has allowed me to gain a clearer image of Tayo's story.
Closed Reading #5 "Letting Go"
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/05/05/080505fa_fact_sedaris
In the article "Letting Go by David Sedaris, Sedaris employs the use of language, details, and diction in order to convince readers of the persona accompanied by smoking.
Sedaris uses vivid language to illustrate the power cigarettes. Upon destroying a few of his mother's prized cigarettes, Sedaris writes that his mom beat him and then, "panting" stated "“That’s . . . not . . . funny.” The word panting as well as the double set of ellipses are especially critical here as they provide a double meaning to Sedaris' piece. On one hand, Sedaris' mothers' out-of-breath state could be accounted for by the exercise of beating her son for "twenty seconds" but it can be justly assumed that as this article focuses on smoking, her inability to breathe is due to her smoking habit. Although this line adds humor to the piece, it also reminds readers of smoking's adverse health effects and addictive qualities.
Sedaris also employs magery to demonstrate the nature of smoking. Sedaris writes that he found the smell of smoke "depressing", as he describes, it was "the scent of neglect". He then goes on to recount that almost every room in his house carried that scent with the sole exception of his bedroom. The scent of his bedroom, he writes, "smelled like an album jacket the moment you remove the plastic" or "the smell of anticipation".
In the article "Letting Go by David Sedaris, Sedaris employs the use of language, details, and diction in order to convince readers of the persona accompanied by smoking.
Sedaris uses vivid language to illustrate the power cigarettes. Upon destroying a few of his mother's prized cigarettes, Sedaris writes that his mom beat him and then, "panting" stated "“That’s . . . not . . . funny.” The word panting as well as the double set of ellipses are especially critical here as they provide a double meaning to Sedaris' piece. On one hand, Sedaris' mothers' out-of-breath state could be accounted for by the exercise of beating her son for "twenty seconds" but it can be justly assumed that as this article focuses on smoking, her inability to breathe is due to her smoking habit. Although this line adds humor to the piece, it also reminds readers of smoking's adverse health effects and addictive qualities.
Sedaris also employs magery to demonstrate the nature of smoking. Sedaris writes that he found the smell of smoke "depressing", as he describes, it was "the scent of neglect". He then goes on to recount that almost every room in his house carried that scent with the sole exception of his bedroom. The scent of his bedroom, he writes, "smelled like an album jacket the moment you remove the plastic" or "the smell of anticipation".
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Open Post #6
1976. The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority is the recurring theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Select the work of an essayist who is in opposition to his or her society; or from a work of recognized literary merit, select a fictional character who is in opposition to his or her society. In a critical essay, analyze the conflict and discuss the moral and ethical implications for both the individual and the society. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose.
Due to his mixed ancestry and his characteristic “hazel eyes”, Tayo serves as a continuous reminder of the white influence. To the Laguna Pueblos, two sentiments dominate regarding the white-American culture: a desire to join the American culture, yet also to scorn it as the Lagunas know that the society does not truly accept them. Through his army stories, Emo reveals this ambivalence. He speaks highly of the days when white women swarmed around him, indicating his desire to be embraced by the white American society. However, Emo is also the first to bring up Tayo’s mixed ancestry and to attack Tayo for his genetic fallacy. He cries out “There he is. He thinks he’s something all right. Because he’s part white. Don’t you, half-breed?” This illustrates Emo’s feeling of belittlement caused by the white culture that directly contrasts with his longing to be immersed in it.
It’s never easy to stand up to the crowd, but it can be even more difficult when the crowd consists of neighbors, friends and families. In Ceremony, by Leslie Marmon Silko, this is the struggle of the protagonist Tayo as he is forced to reconcile with his dark past. Unable to find peace with himself using traditional Laguna methods or American ones, he consults a revolutionary medicine man who illustrates to him the fallacies in the old ways as they do not take into account changes in the new world. Ceremony illustrates the strength and power of rituals derives from their ability to adapt in an ever-changing world,which stands in direct contrast to Tayo’s society’s views.
Due to his mixed ancestry and his characteristic “hazel eyes”, Tayo serves as a continuous reminder of the white influence. To the Laguna Pueblos, two sentiments dominate regarding the white-American culture: a desire to join the American culture, yet also to scorn it as the Lagunas know that the society does not truly accept them. Through his army stories, Emo reveals this ambivalence. He speaks highly of the days when white women swarmed around him, indicating his desire to be embraced by the white American society. However, Emo is also the first to bring up Tayo’s mixed ancestry and to attack Tayo for his genetic fallacy. He cries out “There he is. He thinks he’s something all right. Because he’s part white. Don’t you, half-breed?” This illustrates Emo’s feeling of belittlement caused by the white culture that directly contrasts with his longing to be immersed in it.
Although Tayo notices the ambivalence in the Pueblos’ view of the white culture early on, he is unable to find a solution. While Tayo’s army buddies turn to liquor, “the medicine for the anger that made them hurt” Tayo cannot suppress his own. When Tayo visits Betonie however, Betonie reveals that the Pueblo customs of old have become obsolete because they fail to take into account the presence of whites. By manipulating the old rituals, Betonie actually fortifies the Pueblo traditions as they become applicable to the present and he manages to bring Tayo peace. Along his healing process, Tayo is able to break free from the anger and ambivalence and renew a sense of pride in his culture that had been largely lost by his people.
In conclusion, Ceremony suggests that traditions and rituals rest at the crux of cultures. When the traditions become obsolete, society loses a sense of pride and unity. By tweaking rituals to suit the modern world however, a culture’s strength can be restored. Although Tayo is the only one to realize this key detail, his transformation implies the potential for the entire Pueblo community to be revitalized.
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