Reflection 1/17

As we continue to dissect Ceremony by Leslie Silko we discuss Tayo's life and background. Tayo is heavily discriminated, particularly by his aunt, for his race. Tayo is bi-racial; he has a white father and a Native American mother. This has made it hard for Tayo because he has never felt like he has a place where he belongs. Especially in the time where this book is based, it can be looked negatively upon to have a mixed race family. In the 1950's it was against the law to marry or have relations with a colored person! America has come a long way as far as being more accepting of all races but it is still sickening to imagine how things were. 

The character Auntie is very intriguing. She is very cruel to Tayo and always strives to make him feel worthless. Tayo's mother abandoned him and left Tayo under the care of her sister, Tayo's aunt. She is constantly blaming Tayo for things he has no control over such as his race and his mother's infidelity to the culture. This leaves him longing for a mother's love. In addition, she praises her son, Rocky endlessly but ensures that Tayo knows he will never be like Rocky. It makes me wonder why Auntie is like this and I wonder if she is jealous of Tayo. Most of all it makes me sad for Tayo and what he has to live with. 

This image symbolizes a person of many races.