Ceremony Reflection

As we have continued to analyze and discuss Ceremony, things that may have not been noticed before have become evident.  Many times while reading this book, it is difficult to understand due to the stream of consciousness style of writing.  Therefore, it becomes much easier to understand when discussing the book with others.  Along with this, another benefit of discussing the book is being able to ask questions to be able to understand things that may not make sense.  Discussing the book is the best way to gain a better understanding.

While continuing to analyze the book Ceremony,  there were many parts of the book that have stood out and that have become evident thanks to discussions.  "He crawled deeper into the tamaric bushes and pulled his knees up to his belly.  He looked up at the stars, through the top branches of the willows" (Silko 104).  Before discussing the book, this was one thing that I did not notice.  The stars in this quote show how big, yet small that Tayo feels as well as a sense of hope.  "'You don't have to understand what is happening.  But remember this day.  You will recognize it later.  you are a part of it now'" (Silko 92).  Although difficult to understand, this quote really stood out when reading the book.  Also, while discussing the book as a class, we found important moments of being.  A moment of being is a vivid memory.  "He remembered when his mother died.  It had been dry then too.  The day they buried her the wind blew gusts of sand past the house and rattled the loose tin on the roof.  He never forgot that sound and the sand, stinging his face at the graveyard while he stood close to Josiah.  He kept his head down, staring at small round pebbles uncovered by the wind.  Josiah held his hand as they walked away from the graveyard.  He lifted him into the front seat of the truck and gave him a candy cane left over from Christmas.  He told him not to cry any more" (Silko 86).  This quote not only shows a moment of being, but also that Josiah is always there for Tayo and is a source of hope for Tayo.