Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

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Description:

Ceremony takes place in the drought-stricken Laguna Pueblo of New Mexico after World War II. Influenced by the presence of Vietnam veterans from Laguna Pueblo, Leslie Marmon Silko writes about the return of Tayo, a young man who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The combined effects of war, racism, and ecological disaster affect the young hero Tayo. He draws on the spiritual resources of his culture to begin the healing process.

The novel addresses atomic weapons development and testing, strip mining, alcoholism, the at-risk family, assimilation, alternative medicine, poverty, Indian reservations, post-traumatic stress syndrome, pacifism, and more. It is a tale of physical and spiritual healing, a story of the interdependency of human persons and nature, and a commentary on spiritual presence in the natural world. Silko tells the realistic account by mixing genres, voices, and time periods thus creating a challenging text suitable for students with above-average reading skills.

Activities:

Students compare ceremonies in their own lives thereby learning their significance, and compare prose and poetry on similar topics. They also journal, make timelines, and participate in small group discussions. Research activities focus on historical background and comparative mythology. Students also analyze Silko’s use of literary techniques including imagery, symbolism, and metaphorical language. Students build on their own experiences, make generalizations from specific examples, generate questions about a text, read with a clear purpose, become active readers, and participate in collaborative activities. A great strength of the unit is its focus on multi-cultural education and its integration with other content areas.

Supplementary materials include a unit test with answer key.

Ethical Values:

Adaptability
Courage
Family commitment
Peace
Self-actualization