Ceremony (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Leslie Marmon Silko
- First Published: 1977
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction, Social realism, Mythological literature
- Subjects: Values, Self-discovery, Mythology or myths, Race, Nature, Social issues, 1940’s, World War II, Alienation, Guilt, Spiritual life or spirituality, Mental illness, Native Americans or American Indians, War, Multiculturalism, Illegitimacy, Mysticism, Southwest, Mexico or Mexicans, Rites or ceremonies, Time, Smoke
- Locales: Laguna Pueblo, NM
Ceremony, Silko's first published novel, won the attention of critics and other Native American writers, particularly N. Scott Momaday. Interestingly, the basic situation of Silko's novel parallels that of Momaday's House Made of Dawn. Both writers create protagonists who have been psychologically wounded by service in the Army during World War II and who encounter racism and brutality when they attempt to return to reservation life afterward. Although Momaday's character eventually experiences a partial return to health, Silko's main character, a “half-breed” named...
[The entire page is 1242 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
