Native American Literature and Culture
Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony
Synopsis: When Tayo returns emotionally distressed from WWII in the Pacific against the Japanese, he cannot find comfort among other Native American veterans and their retreat into alcohol. With the help of several people, including the medicine man Betonie, he finds his ancient connections to the land and the healing ceremonies of old rituals. The patterns of the old stories and myths, all fitting together, bring healing, peace, and redemption to Tayo, as well as hope to the Laguna Pueblo.
(see also Literary Links)
 | Silko's Ceremony and Laguna Culture: Resources and links from the Native American Literature course at Purdue University: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~njpete/Silko | |
| Information on Corn Mother: http://www.indians.org/walker/motherco.htm | |
| Northern Light Search Engine, use keywords "Laguna Pueblo mythology": http://www.northernlight.com |
| Biography, resources and student commentary on Ceremony from Southwestern Litearture course at New Mexico State University: http://www.web.nmsu.edu/~tomlynch/swlit.silko.html | |
| Series of Links about Silko: http://www.smpcollege.com/litlinks/fiction/silko.htm | |
| Links to Resources and Starting Places for Ceremony: http://www.georgetown.edu/bassr/silko.htm | |
| Biography of Silko, links to Ceremony and other women writers: http://www.DistinguishedWomen.com/biographies/silko-lm.html | |
| A comprehensive WWW Index on Leslie Marmon Silko: http://serviette.unm.edu/people/ketchelx/silko/silko-home.html | |
| Terrific website on women authors of color: http://voices.cla.umn.edu/authors/LeslieMarmonSilko.html | |
| I've ordered several recent books on Native American literature in general for the Central Oregon Community College library. Make sure you check them out, as well as the new periodical database: http://libcatalog.cocc.edu/ |