Ceremony Discussion (#5)

Last week our class had a visit from a Navy Seal. He talked about his experiences as a Seal; he talked about how P.T.S. (D) affected his life (e.g he talked in detail how he would revisit a scene from his past, having to kill someone and seeing their face). He mentioned how all of it resurfaced without him even having to think about it - like the sight, sounds, smell and taste of the place he was in. He also talked about how it was to regain the use of his legs after having been shot near his spine - he spoke of the difficulties he endured. Of the friendships he formed while training and in the field. It was was difficult at moments to hear and enlightening all the same. He also mentioned how in ceremony - how it was to be able to relate to some of the strife noted in the book (p.t.s (d)).  In similar relation Tayo - in the novel 'Ceremony' constantly recalls memories of the past, be it the war, time with his uncle or his cousin Rocky. "Tayo didn't sleep well that night. he tossed in the iron bed, and the coiled springs kept squeaking, even after he lay still again, calling up humid dreams of black night and loud voices rolling him over and over again like debris caught in a flood. Tonight the singing had come first, squeaking out of the iron bed, a man singing in Spanish, the melody of a familiar love song, two words again and again, "Y volvere," (Silko 5). This particular scene in the beginning of the book shows the nightmares Tayo has as an after effect of the war. What is interesting to see are the differences in reading a book about the p.t.s.(d).of a war vet, and talking to someone in person about it. The differences in speech and how the story is told contrast in how someone might perceive what is being told to them. When listening to (Clay) talk about his experience as a navy seal it was intriguing to see how he told his story and how it could be in relation to Ceremony.

Ceremony Discussion (#4)

The telling of Tayo's story in 'Ceremony" by Leslie Marmon Silko continues on as it begins to reveal more of Tayo's past - intertwined with moments of the present. We (the readers) revisit the time he spent with Night Swan where she tells him of people's ignorance and fear towards change. "They are afraid, Tayo. They feel something happening, they can see something happening around them, and it scares them. Indians, Mexicans, or Whites - most people are afraid of change" (Silko 92) calls his night with her and how (as he did not know it yet) she was a part of the process in his healing. Later Tayo revisits some of his earliest memories - from when he was young, when his mother would leave him at the bars to leave with men. He recalls the horrible taste of cigarettes as he tried to swallow the butts, or gum from underneath the table. Tayo recalls how he would wait for his mother - at the bars or under the bridge after he cops took the people out from living under the bridge. This adds to just how much scarring Tayo has had to endure during his life. As Tayo travels it (the book) notes the conditions in which the Native people have to live in - how they live in poverty and live in fear. How there is a pattern of the collective groups of all the tribes having to live with difficulty. "This is us, too, I was thinking to myself. These people crouching outside like cold flies stuck to a wall" (Silko 99). It shows how even though the tribes may be separated - they have a common factor - the hardship which they have to endure.  One other theme that is reoccurring are the poems that appear. For example the symbolism seen in one poem talks about the story of Hummingbird and Fly (which can be interpreted as life and death). Throughout the story the flies - when Tayo kills them to shield Rocky, or the story of the green-bottle fly who asked for forgiveness - can be seen as a parallel of many things - like Tayo in his search to 'heal' himself, or the dead soldiers Tayo saw in the war.

Ceremony Discussion #3

In 'Ceremony' by Leslie Marmom Silko, Tayo faces many adverse complications - from his P.T.S (D), racism, (stereotypes, and prejudice) and abuse. He struggles with his identity and who and what he is. An overall connection seen throughout the novel is a frequent mention of stories - be it through poems, or in the context of the story. Stories are frequently mentioned as being the 'belly of the tale'. In contrast Tayo is almost always sick through the novel. Through this there is a connection through the words and the poems and the stories told. Although most of the perspectives the reader is shown are Tayo's there is also the thoughts of the other soldiers who went through the war with Tayo. (This form of writing is known as 'steam of consciousness' where you are presented all thoughts at once - in writing and otherwise). Another theme that is conferred is Tayo's heritage and his upbringing. His life story - his mother, his adoption into Rocky's family and the war and after. Even though Tayo was only a child Auntie would mistreat him, in blame for his mother actions. He was thought to be shameful - and was reminded of it daily. Even young as he was Tayo's story was not an altogether pleasant one. Later on in the story after the war it shows Tayo's reaction of the other stories being told by the soldiers and his own. It also implicates how different some of the soldiers are after the war. "Emo played with the teeth; he pretended to put them in his own mouth at funny angles. Everyone was laughing. The teeth sucked up the light, and darkness closed around Tayo with an ambush of voices in English and Japanese" (Silko 57). This quote is just one example of the differences - how Tayo is brought back into the memories of the war, while Emo laughs and jokes about how many men he proudly killed. Emo's story crosses with Tayo's - as it shows their dislike for each other. For the beginning the novel suggests all stories are interwoven with one another and it shows this through the process of stream of consciousness and in telling Tayo's story and how it blends in with everyone else's. 

Ceremony / Reel Injun

Reel Injun (2009) shows the depiction of Native Americans in film throughout history. (Neil) Diamond hosts this documentary and travels across America to find the truth and myth behind the 'Hollywood Indian' stereotypes and to find the true culture and voice of real Native Americans. The film covers cinematic history of the stereotypes of Native Americans and how it has affected their image and an outsiders perspective based on what is seen in the movies. The film also covers the issue with dress, garments, and speech as well. For instance in a lot of movies there is usually a headdress, feathers,  headbands among other stereotypical items of clothing donned by the actors who played the role of the Native American. Also throughout most of cinematic history speech and vocabulary were omitted or in place of real language people would just play an phrase in English backwards. And even when they were allowed to speak their language it was not translated what they were saying - so they were let to their devices and openly insulted the other crew members who were disrespectful to them. Some topics covered in the documentary were also of mention in 'Ceremony'. the same stereotypes were reinforced and viewed in both the book and film. 'That white guy yells, 'Hey, Geronimo!' and the white woman hears him and says 'who's that?' he says 'a drunk Irishman.' she says "no who's that Geronimo?' she says 'that's an Indian isn't it?' she yells back at him,' 'this guys and Indian?' he says 'yeah - his name is Geronimo,' She starts screaming and faints. (55 Silko). In both film and novel - a similar goal is set in motion - to shows the true heritage of Native Americans and to diminish the cliches about them.