I don't know if you guys have read further in the book than assigned, but it gets pretty depressing when the narrator starts talking about the town of Gallup... I'll try not to spoil it too much for you. Anyway, I read this section and a little question mark sort of formed above my head. Night Swan says, "You don't have to understand what is happening. But remember this day. You will recognize it later. You are a part of it now." (100). If you read the student packet, it says "...she also seduces Tayo in order to teach him his first lesson about miscegenation..." Then I went to the dictionary, which says miscegenation is a relationship between two people of different races. I don't know what to make of this, because it does not appear Tayo has learned anything; if he learned some sort of life lesson, wouldn't his character change to reflect that? Sounds to me like Tayo is confused too; the closest thing to learning mentioned in the story so far is "And he was lost somewhere, deep beneatht he surface of his own body and conciousness...(99)" Where's the life lesson here?
A theme in the story I can appreciate a little more is the traditional reverence for nature expressed in the reading. This is obvious in the story about Tayo killing flies in the kitchen.
I'm still trying to figure out what the ghetto of Gallup is supposed to represent; but there's no way something like that is devoid of symbolism. I suspect cultural decay.
Finally, I'm happy because I've got a little bit of a grip on the chronology of the story...I'm pretty sure the bar, and then the town of Gallup, are in the present tense.
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Yes, I don't see how Night Swan taught Tayo any kind of lesson in relationships. As far as I can tell she's a prostitute. Also yes the bar and Gallup are present as well as the scene when Robert talks to Tayo.
ReplyDeleteI guess it does make sense what Night Swan taought Tayo. She tought him in a very odd why though. I dont think she is a prositute but i do think she is a slut. this book has a lot to do with culture and relationships.
ReplyDeleteGeoff,
ReplyDeletethanks for your post.
Thanks for your insights on Gallup...I appreciate your idea of cultural decay. Think about why they (the Indians) are leaving their reservations and end up stuck in Gallup...sort of purgatory. Why is that? Why can't they succeed after leaving the reservation? Is it just because of alcohol or are their other factors?
Thoughts anyone?
Ms. Champagne
I believe that Tayo won't learn the lesson that Night Swan meant to teach him to later on in the story. At the point in time when Night Swan talks to Tayo about realationships I don't think Tayo is ready to learn that lesson yet. But I think he is meant to remember what she tells him so he can learn the lesson later.
ReplyDeleteI think the story about Gallup has alot to do with how the indians don't know how to function in the new society that the white people have brought. So they end up stuck in this hole that they are unsure how to get out of.