Ladies and Gents,
Please keep in mind the time period of the book. What were the opportunities available to an older, unmarried woman in order to earn money and survive on her own?
I am seeing lots of literal observations of what is going on the book, but not too much focus on symbolism.
1. What might the cattle that Josiah is buying be a symbol of? (Geoff has some decent insight into this.)
2. Keep in mind the fewer flashbacks are more clarity of writing is symbolic of something regarding Tayo.
3. Gallup is outside the reservation. Some Indians leave the reservation in search of success but get stuck there...what is this symbolic of?
Silko is being intentional with her writing...she is pointing societal errs...think about this as you read.
Ms. Champagne.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Devin's 5th blog
So this is my fifth blog
“Pepper got run over on the highway, chasing some she dog in heat.” (pg. 93)
Aunties words are so clear and direct, this shows just how outraged she is, about Josiah sleeping with night swan. Normally she keeps quiet but slams pots in the kitchen to releive her fury. And in some way I find it funny since Auntie is comparing Josiah to a dog and calling night swan a bitch.
“I have been watching you for a long time, she said. I saw the color of your eyes. Tayo did not look at her. Mexican eyes, he said, the other kids used to tease me… They are afraid Tayo. They feel something happening, they can see something happening around them, and it scares them. Indians or mexicans or whites-most are afraid of change. They think that if their children have the same color of skin , the same color of eyes, that nothing is changing. She laughed softly. They are fools. They blame us the ones who look different. That way they don’t have to think about what has happened inside themselves.” (pg 99-100)
This quote has probably been used many times but ill say my thing about it. Its important since night swan is the first significant women in Tayos life. She teaches him a lesson about difference and change. And that he shouldn’t hide his differences but embrace them.
I had a couple questions on the mexican part of this, when did they really exactly come into play, because I thought this was just about whites and indians.
“Pepper got run over on the highway, chasing some she dog in heat.” (pg. 93)
Aunties words are so clear and direct, this shows just how outraged she is, about Josiah sleeping with night swan. Normally she keeps quiet but slams pots in the kitchen to releive her fury. And in some way I find it funny since Auntie is comparing Josiah to a dog and calling night swan a bitch.
“I have been watching you for a long time, she said. I saw the color of your eyes. Tayo did not look at her. Mexican eyes, he said, the other kids used to tease me… They are afraid Tayo. They feel something happening, they can see something happening around them, and it scares them. Indians or mexicans or whites-most are afraid of change. They think that if their children have the same color of skin , the same color of eyes, that nothing is changing. She laughed softly. They are fools. They blame us the ones who look different. That way they don’t have to think about what has happened inside themselves.” (pg 99-100)
This quote has probably been used many times but ill say my thing about it. Its important since night swan is the first significant women in Tayos life. She teaches him a lesson about difference and change. And that he shouldn’t hide his differences but embrace them.
I had a couple questions on the mexican part of this, when did they really exactly come into play, because I thought this was just about whites and indians.
Erica's Fifth Blog.
This part of the book was interesting. With the literature circle activity in class, it made me understand it better. So, Night Swan and Tayo had some sexual relations when Tayo was supposed to give the note from Josiah to Night Swan. Through the book you find out that Josiah dies, but they don't tell you how. That's what got me confused. I wonder how he died and what that note said. It's really wrong that Night Swan kind of seduced Tayo after she had been hooking up with Uncle Josiah.
Rocky is practically in no one's business at this point of the book, all he thinks about is football, girls, and the military.That's how Auntie wants it to be because she thinks that if Rocky starts doing the same things as Tayo, he will be tied to the land and he won't leave the reservation.
My favorite quote of this part:
"She shook her head slowly, "They're afraid, Tayo. They feel something happening, they can see something happening around them, and it scares them. Indians or Mexicans or whites -- most people are afraid of change. They think that if their children have the same color skin, the same color eyes, that nothing is changing." She laughed softly. "They are fools. They blame us, the ones who look different. That way they don't have to think about what has happened inside themselves.""
I like this quote because Night Swan was right, a lot of people are afraid of change. Some parents make their children marry the people they don't want. It's just because they're the right ethnicity or the right color eyes. Something like that. It is all wrong, the people in the book like Auntie need to realize that things change everyday, good or bad. This quote pretty much describes a lot of people in the world.
Rocky is practically in no one's business at this point of the book, all he thinks about is football, girls, and the military.That's how Auntie wants it to be because she thinks that if Rocky starts doing the same things as Tayo, he will be tied to the land and he won't leave the reservation.
My favorite quote of this part:
"She shook her head slowly, "They're afraid, Tayo. They feel something happening, they can see something happening around them, and it scares them. Indians or Mexicans or whites -- most people are afraid of change. They think that if their children have the same color skin, the same color eyes, that nothing is changing." She laughed softly. "They are fools. They blame us, the ones who look different. That way they don't have to think about what has happened inside themselves.""
I like this quote because Night Swan was right, a lot of people are afraid of change. Some parents make their children marry the people they don't want. It's just because they're the right ethnicity or the right color eyes. Something like that. It is all wrong, the people in the book like Auntie need to realize that things change everyday, good or bad. This quote pretty much describes a lot of people in the world.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tasha's 5th Blog
This reading was interesting to say the least. It was rather scandalous! Obviously one of the major parts was when Night Swan and Tayo had sex. I am very confused as to WHY this happened, but it did. Josiah must find out eventually (it always comes out!), so how is he going to react? Is he going to be raving mad, or deeply hurt and quiet? I'm not sure if we know enough about the character yet to be sure. One thing that I don't quite agree with all of you on is regarding Night Swan: Yes, she is a little promiscuous, but if you take that out she is probably one of my favorite characters. I love the idea of such a strong, confident, and independent woman. She doesn't care what others think, a contrast to the Native American view.
I was wondering: did it seem like there were more nature related passages in this reading? I'm not complaining, it was all beautifully written, I'm just trying to figure out why Silko would go on for pages about a storm or flowers when there are bigger plot elements going on.
“Everywhere he looked, he saw a world made of stories, the long ago, time immortal stories, as old Grandma called them. It was a world alive, always changing and moving; and if you know where to look, you could see it, sometimes almost imperceptible, like the motion of the star across the sky.”(pg 95) I really liked this quote because it helped to explain an enormous part of the Native American culture: stories. I find the concept of the world being made up of never-ending stories very interesting. It's like a quit made up of stories.
The book is much less confusing than in the beginning which is really great! The thing is that the book is supposed to be kind of revolutionary and is meant to portray culture conflicts, but honestly I'm still waiting for the second shoe to drop. There doesn't seem to be that much about people's backgrounds being at odds with each other!
I was wondering: did it seem like there were more nature related passages in this reading? I'm not complaining, it was all beautifully written, I'm just trying to figure out why Silko would go on for pages about a storm or flowers when there are bigger plot elements going on.
“Everywhere he looked, he saw a world made of stories, the long ago, time immortal stories, as old Grandma called them. It was a world alive, always changing and moving; and if you know where to look, you could see it, sometimes almost imperceptible, like the motion of the star across the sky.”(pg 95) I really liked this quote because it helped to explain an enormous part of the Native American culture: stories. I find the concept of the world being made up of never-ending stories very interesting. It's like a quit made up of stories.
The book is much less confusing than in the beginning which is really great! The thing is that the book is supposed to be kind of revolutionary and is meant to portray culture conflicts, but honestly I'm still waiting for the second shoe to drop. There doesn't seem to be that much about people's backgrounds being at odds with each other!
Nichole's Blog #5
This is my blog for pages 87-108. I think that so far this was the whackest(weirdest) section we have read yet. I also camp to a conclusion that Night Swan really is a slut. I mean seriously, first sleeping with Josiah and then sleeping with Tayo? How can you not be a slut after pulling a stunt like that. I am glad that Silko finally decided to return to the present of when Tayo is at the bar with Harley, even though it was only for like two or three pages. Going back to the present helped me figure out all the flashbacks in my mind.
But I really don't understand the whole story thing, or maybe it's an analogy, of how some guy climbed the mountain to ask for rain or whatever and how randomly there was a spider woman there. That was probably the most confusing part of the section in my opinion. And honestly, I don't understand why Auntie is making such a big deal out of Josiah sleeping with a Mexican woman. I don't see why that could give her a family a bad name in any way, shape or form.
I think it's kind of creepy how after Tayo and Night Swan did the nasty, Night Swan was telling Tayo about how she had been watching him for a while because isn't she like way older then him? Because she said that she had two grandchildren. Also, don't you think that Josiah would've noticed that it was taking Tayo an unusually long time to give Night Swan the note? Because Tayo had to be in there for at least half an hour.
Oh, and I found out who Lalo is. He's the guy who owned the bar that Night Swan lived in. Well, she lived upstairs not in the actual bar.
"In a world of crickets and wind and cottonwood trees he was almost alive again; he was visible. The green waves of dead faces and the screams of the dying that had echoed in his head were buried. The sickness had receded into a shadow behind him, something he saw only out of the corners of his eyes, over his shoulder." Page 104. This quote is explaining in detail how at peace Tayo feels when he is sitting on the porch of where Night Swan used to live. I think that Tayo feels so peaceful here because it's away from all the commotion of town and he can finally be alone. Tayo feels peaceful in this place, so all his bad memories and thoughts are taken away for this moment in time.
But I really don't understand the whole story thing, or maybe it's an analogy, of how some guy climbed the mountain to ask for rain or whatever and how randomly there was a spider woman there. That was probably the most confusing part of the section in my opinion. And honestly, I don't understand why Auntie is making such a big deal out of Josiah sleeping with a Mexican woman. I don't see why that could give her a family a bad name in any way, shape or form.
I think it's kind of creepy how after Tayo and Night Swan did the nasty, Night Swan was telling Tayo about how she had been watching him for a while because isn't she like way older then him? Because she said that she had two grandchildren. Also, don't you think that Josiah would've noticed that it was taking Tayo an unusually long time to give Night Swan the note? Because Tayo had to be in there for at least half an hour.
Oh, and I found out who Lalo is. He's the guy who owned the bar that Night Swan lived in. Well, she lived upstairs not in the actual bar.
"In a world of crickets and wind and cottonwood trees he was almost alive again; he was visible. The green waves of dead faces and the screams of the dying that had echoed in his head were buried. The sickness had receded into a shadow behind him, something he saw only out of the corners of his eyes, over his shoulder." Page 104. This quote is explaining in detail how at peace Tayo feels when he is sitting on the porch of where Night Swan used to live. I think that Tayo feels so peaceful here because it's away from all the commotion of town and he can finally be alone. Tayo feels peaceful in this place, so all his bad memories and thoughts are taken away for this moment in time.
Curtis- Blog 5
So I'm stoked for Rocky. He got a scholarship to college for football. But when this happens Aunty seems more on Tayo for doing work. She seems to treat him extra bad now days. But... DAYYYUMMMMM Tayo and Night swan. I always have good things to write about each bloog. That is going to be my quote a little later on. So I guess Josiah does die? They never told us how yet right? Or at least the real reason?
Ok so here is my unbelievable quote:
(Pg. 99) "She breathed harder and he breathed with the same rhythm. She slid beneath him then, like a cat squeezing under a gate."
I cannot help but laugh right here. Comparing this to a cat squeezing under a gate. I kind of get it but whatever. Thats so messed up why would they do this. I though Night Swaggle and Big J had a thang going on...
feel free to comment... I'm small kine lost.
Ok so here is my unbelievable quote:
(Pg. 99) "She breathed harder and he breathed with the same rhythm. She slid beneath him then, like a cat squeezing under a gate."
I cannot help but laugh right here. Comparing this to a cat squeezing under a gate. I kind of get it but whatever. Thats so messed up why would they do this. I though Night Swaggle and Big J had a thang going on...
feel free to comment... I'm small kine lost.
Curtis-Blog 4
So I'm about to do post 4 and 5 because I'm just slacking. I found a couple of things interesting in the reading for post 4. Specifically the part where Emo starts talking about the white chicks he you-knowed. I would also like to add my feelings toward Aunt. I hate her and would never be able to take the kind of things Tayo does from her. I can't believe she took away Tayo's picture of his mother. She seems like she is just set on ruining Tayo's life when she needs to concentrate on getting one of her own.
Well here is my quote:
Pg. 59 ("Well, I scored all right."
"Not one," I said
"Both of them!"
"Well, I'll be goddamned!"
he said
"all in the same bed?"
"Yes, sir, this In'di'n
was grabbin' white (dakine)
all night!"
Well beyond this being funny I say it is just a big load. Plus it is in the poem form so it suggests that it is like a myth or something. All the things written in poem form have been made up stories so far so this is probably one.
Well here is my quote:
Pg. 59 ("Well, I scored all right."
"Not one," I said
"Both of them!"
"Well, I'll be goddamned!"
he said
"all in the same bed?"
"Yes, sir, this In'di'n
was grabbin' white (dakine)
all night!"
Well beyond this being funny I say it is just a big load. Plus it is in the poem form so it suggests that it is like a myth or something. All the things written in poem form have been made up stories so far so this is probably one.
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