Having wrapped up R & G are Dead and moving on to Ceremony, I find myself missing the familiarity of older English. I never thought I'd miss Shakespeare's age-old ideas, the never-ending biblical references, and the unending loop of Hamlet's themes. Throwing out all these old Western ideas, alliterations, and Foster's themes has been difficult. I never realized how much I depended on their basic components to guide me through a piece of literature!
That being said, the constant theme of identity is something that seems to present in everything we've read so far, and that definitely carries through into Ceremony. Although I find myself having to find my footing once again, I'm fascinated by the culture, ideas, and literary art used in the book. I love poetry, so the poems and excerpts scattered throughout are really interesting. It makes me wonder what it must be like to write a story with so many levels and ideas. If I struggle a little as a reader, I can't imagine what it must be like lining everything up and tying everything together while writing.
When I asked one of my friends who had taken AP Lit last year what their opinion of Ceremony was, the response was something along the lines of "Oh my god...((putting hands to their head and cringing)) that book was the biggest literary mindf*** EVER! The plot! And..and the twists!...Sparknotes. Use Sparknotes. Oh my godddddd... I never knew what the hell was going on! ((brief pause)) ...Can I have your copy when you're done? I want to re-read it."
Hahaha that's funny. So true though. Ceremony is definitely different from the others we've read and the symbolism and depth and millions of connections never seems like it will end.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that throwing out the Western ideas was a little difficult, because a lot of the times I would be like "Oh, and ___ is God!"... but then I would remember, that God didn't really exist in their culture. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book more than the others. I think it's just because I was tired of plays though. I liked reading an actual novel for a change and I also enjoyed how the scenes kept on jumping. It kept me from getting bored.
Hello, again! It seems like the past couple of times you and I have been paired together in these reviews. I definitley can identify with you on with your ideas on modern literature vs. Shakespearean things. It seems that Shakespearean similies and metaphors make more sense, and simplify the language, whereas in Ceremony it seems like they can just make things more confusing. I can see where your friend is coming from now with the symbolism of Ceremony and how involved it is. I frequently question in Silko knowingly put it all in there, or if it's there by chance, because it seems like a hell of a lot to think of.
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