I felt that ceremony was a great up until about three-fifths into the book. I was really drawn to the ideas she put forth such as Rocky trying to assimilate because I feel I am doing the same thing. And I could really relate to the story, however, as the novel progresses she really dove into ideas and culture, that I believe, only her people, and scholars who study this matter, would understand. I think that this is great if the book is intended for her people, however, I feel that it kinda 'sucks' for us who are not wholly familiar with the culture and are left puzzled at some occurrences in the book.
Was the second girl that Tayo slept with married? I thought I read in the book she was, but I am not sure. And if she is, it doesn't seem like it was a problem that she was married and having sex with Tayo in the book.
I can also relate on the issue with assimilation and I think the book was really truthful and raw in showing Tayo's thoughts and frustrations about it, such as the uniform issue and being treated unequally out of it.
ReplyDeleteI think the book could have had explanations in a side page or the bottom or something to explain Native American cultural practices to not keep us in the dark about it but also at the time, I bet it's pretty nice for indigenous readers who know the culture to read without these explanations because it says that it's an indigenous book made for indigenous people to relate and in a way, heal, not for westerners to dissect or read for amusement or just random curiosity.