Stories Within
Story telling is a Native American tradition, and it is no surprise that it takes such an important role in this novel. The significance of these stories show how Tayo changes through his ceremony. The poems show, in a more indirect way, how heritage affects his struggle between what was and what is now. This is a consistent theme throughout “Ceremony”.
The stories always tie in with what is current in the writing. However, this can be associated with Tayo and how he may be separated from the past, but the stories will bring in that connection for him to see and finally acheive a relation to his heritage. It is interesting how the book is pieced together also, in that the stories or poems are not clearly defined as being such (even though that can be realized by the reader), and because of that they aren’t separated from the rest of the story. This falls back to the idea again that there is not supposed to be a separation, but rather a connection.
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October 15th, 2006 at
I agree with your ideas about the stories within Ceremony providing a link to Tayo’s heritage. Throughout the novel it becomes clear that he is not accepted as a Native American because of the impurity of his blood. These stories are the only link to the Native American culture that he has to hold on to, and will eventually help him gain acceptance in his community.