Ceremony (Discussion)

Throughout the book 'Ceremony' by Leslie Marmon Silko - holds the perspective of Tayo who returns home to the Laguna Pueblo tribe after world war 2 and its after effects on many points rallied together in the book. Some such points are the effects of alcoholism, racism, P.T.S (D). and oppression among other topics. The story follows Tayo as he struggles to deal with the aftermath of the war and his cousin's death, which shamed him further from his family. He comes to a recognition that not only he, but others - his old friends were effected by the war a well, and have chosen to self medicate with alcohol. Tayo often reflects on Rocky - his cousin and friend who died. He (Tayo) blames the weather, the rain and jungle heat for killing him, although a Japanese grenade is what killed his cousin. In the face of commanding death, Tayo imagines his Uncle Josiah as a Japanese soldier he was ordered to kill. The book then shows the views of the general and other commanders attitude around the circumstances of Tayo's panic attack - they call it 'battle fatigue' and neglect to realize the impact it has but rather than admit that it is something that might be natural in facing death they toss away the idea of its relevancy. The connections and parallels of the p.t.s(d), and alcoholism seem to be a together after affect for some of the characters in the book - as previously mentioned some turn to alcohol as a numbing technique to bury their pain of the past.  Another anesthetization used on Tayo is morphine when he is stationed at the VA hospital. (The voice was saying 'He can't talk to you. He is invisible. His words are formed with an invisible tongue, they have no sound') Silko 14.  The novel covers many of like subjects like the after effects of the war and how (Tayo) goes about dispelling his p.t.s (d) through many forms of medication - may it be drugs, alcohol, old Laguna traditions (ceremonies) etc.