Andrea's Blog 2&3 Combined

2&3 Combined because I'll be commenting on pages 29-65.

Okay, now that I am FULLY awake while reading, I must say that I LOVE this book. I was able to concentrate a lot more, so I understood a bit better what was going on. I really love Silko's writing and the way she words her story. I also really like Tayo's character, though I'm still trying to understand why he's crying and vomiting all the time. Is it from the war, the loss of his friends? Or does he just feel empty inside?

The myths and folklore that Silko includes is my favorite. My favorite legend so far is the one where Pa'caya'nyi brings magic to the people, though it's just a trick.
" He undressed
he painted his body
the whorls of flesh
the soles of his feet
the palms of his hands
the top of his head.
He wore feathers
on each side of his head." (Pg. 47)

I really like this quote from that particular legend because it's very descriptive, culturally speaking. The repetition of the words "the" at the beginning of each line makes it flow, I think, and makes it more beautiful.

Here are some of my other favorite quotes:
"Josiah said that only humans had to endure anything, because only humans resisted what they saw outside themselves." (Pg. 27)
- I thought this was an extremely interesting statement and I'm still trying to work out whether or not I agree with it. I think on one hand we do endure more and IT IS because we are the only ones who oppose what we see in nature. But I do not think that we are the only ones who endure anything. Perhaps we endure MORE because of what we oppose, however, the animals and all of nature endure the elements and predators and time. But most of all they endure US. What we, as humans, have opposed makes the earth endure more.

"The canyon was the way he always remembered it; the beeweed plants made the air smell heavy and sweet like wild honey, and the bumblebees were buzzing around waxy yucca flowers. The leaves of the cottonwood trees that crowded the canyon caught reflections of the afternoon sun, hundreds of tiny mirrors flashing." (Pg. 45)
- I especially like this quote because it's descriptive. I was born and raised in New Mexico and more than missing my friends and family there, I miss the land, because growing up, it feels like I spent more time with the land than with people. It's what I miss most about where I came from. Here are some pictures of New Mexico if anyone doesn't know what it looks like.



^ The Rio Grande in the fall, most beautiful time of the year.





^Those two above are general landscapes. There are areas where it's more green and areas where it's more dry. I think that fall is the most beautiful though. Hope that gives you guys an idea if you were curious.

So, a couple questions: When Tayo is with Auntie and Grandma, is that the present? Or is it RIGHT after he gets back from L.A.? Did Josiah really die in the South Pacific? If he didn't what happened to him? How did he get there if he did die? Is Josiah Tayo's father? What happened to his mother? I don't know if I just missed these things or if Silko hasn't mentioned them yet.

Thanks!