Nature In Leslie Marmon-Silko's Ceremony

Looking back in history, we can consider many beautiful and idealized cultures. In this day and age, however, those cultures are no longer depicted as “beautiful”, but rather outdated or even foolish. Perhaps more so than any other, Native American culture shares an identity whose past is both glorified and reviled. A common link between virtually every Native American culture centers on the sacredness of nature. In her novel Ceremony, Leslie Marmon-Silko examines the benefits of a culture whose people are tied to the earth and elements; and, conversely, the downfall when they reject those same considerations. Ironically, Native Americans comprehend the connections and value found in nature long before the white individuals--who lead to their unfortunate loss of culture-- did. Periodically, there have been moments in modern American history when the Native American appreciation of nature and a desire to live in harmony with the land have resurfaced in white culture. Silko’s unique perspective on Native American culture along with recent news regarding the mistreatment of sacred land, conveys to an

Foolishly, these individuals will exploit nature for their resources rather than appreciating what they already have. Through the use of spider webs, Silko demonstrates that nature’s fragile qualities should be protected, not destroyed: “It only took one person to tear away the delicate strands of the web, spilling rays of sun into the sand, and the fragile world would be injured” (Silko, 35). Similar to a spider web, nature is delicate. According to Native American beliefs, we owe the land for our existence and therefore must protect it. Unfortunately throughout history, the white culture ignored the Native American’s beliefs and tried to turn their valuable land into a profit. While Native Americans view nature as a simple, beautiful entity, others view it as a means of wealth and