Tayo In Ceremony

Tayo’s Lack of Guidance

Parentless, alone, and divergent, Tayo seeks to reach stability despite his strenuous losses and misfortunes. In Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel, Ceremony, she uses descriptive imagery to explain Tayo’s immense struggles with a lack of guidance.

Growing up, Tayo was raised by his Auntie, and he continues to reside with and rely on her after his difficult return from the Second World War. She tries her absolute best to assist Tayo with his post traumatic stress. “She brought him a bowl of blue cornmeal mush. He shook his head when he looked at it, but she sat down on the chair by the bed and fed him spoonful by spoonful.” (39). Auntie wants nothing but a healthy and hasty recovery for Tayo. She took him in as a developing
He feels connected to his native side because of his mother, family members, and the way he brought up. He feels close to his white side because of his father and his relationships with multiple white friends he has made in the war. Tayo says, “I’m half-breed. I’ll be the first to say it. I’ll speak for both sides.” (42). He says this statement as a sign of strength and self acceptance. Meanwhile, he remains struggling with the distinction of being colonized and uncolonized. Rocky attempts to explain to him that rituals are old and outdated. On one occasion, they go out to hunt for a deer. Rocky shoots the deer, the men track it, and begin the gutting process. “When Tayo saw that he was getting started; he took off his jacket and covered the deer’s head. ‘Why did you do that?’ asked Rocky, motioning at the jacket with the blade of his knife.” (50). He questions why Tayo still performs these kinds of rituals. The same goes for some of Tayo’s white friends. They watch as he prays before he eats, and although they do not do the same, they don’t show any disrespect for Tayo. While these people tolerate Tayo and his rituals, his uncolonized family members expect