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.