A Sense of Hope

This week we began reading Ceremony.  This book, written by Leslie Marmon Silko, follows the journey and struggles of Tayo, a half-white, half-Laguna man who is suffering from post traumatic stress after fighting in World War II.  Throughout the book so far, Tayo's post traumatic stress is constantly a major struggle for him.  There are many parts where it seems as if he will never heal, however, there are also many instances where there seems to be a sense of hope.  In the very beginning of the book Tayo is having trouble sleeping due to his post traumatic stress.  "He tossed in the old iron bed, and the coiled spring kept squeaking even after he lay still again, calling up humid dreams of black night and loud voices rolling him over and over like the 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).  Despite the post traumatic stress that Tayo is suffering in this part of the book, there is a sense of hope in the words "Y volvere" which mean "end returning."  A great sense of hope also occurs when Tayo is passed out on the ground of a train station from his post traumatic stress.  As he lay on the ground people gather around Tayo seeking help and making sure he is okay.  Among these people is a small boy with his mother.  "A child stared back at him, holding a hand but walking twisted around so that he could see Tayo.  The little boy was wearing an Army hat that was too big for him, and when he say Tayo looking he smiled;" (Silko 16).  Out of all of the book so far, this part has stood out the most to me.  This one little boy brought a sense of hope, kindness, and compassion to Tayo.  Also, the family that helped Tayo was Japanese, making this part of the book stand out even more.  It is amazing that despite the past, people will go out of their way to help a stranger.  Overall, although the book is somewhat confusing and hard to follow, I have enjoyed reading it so far.