2. Feelings on Storyteller.
I think if we would have read the entire book all of the stories would
mesh together into one big picture. I look at it like a Seinfeld episode
where the individual stories all come together in the end. I found some
of the stories interesting to read and others tolerable to read. I
enjoyed the story about the girl taunting the billy goat and how she felt
completely to blame for the goat's disappearance. The billy goat did not
return but she was forgiven. I found the story about the women who did
not return to her husband after a few days hilarious. It's comical that
she said if she would have told the story better she might not have been
left by her husband.
To a friend I would recommend Ceremony before Storyteller. Neither books
follow a sequential order but I found Ceremony easier to read. I enjoy
reading a book that focuses on one individual and their individual
experiences rather than several different people. I guess you could say
Leslie Silko was the focus in Storyteller because it focused on her being
an intergal part of the Laguna community. I guess in general I felt
the story about Tayo and his struggle after the war more entertaining.
3. Course review
Without this course I would of never considered reading a Marmon Silko
book. I've never heard of her before but usually when I choose a book to
read the story line is quite different. For example, I enjoy books by
John Grisham such as The Pelican Brief. Because of this course I've
opened up my mind and realize that different types of writing are
interesting and are good for a change in reading excitement.
The two books which we read help me to better understand the life on a
reservation in the Southwest portion of the country. Living in South
Dakota I've only heard about the Sioux reservation. Between any two
cultures there is a big difference and this holds true for Sioux Indians
and the Laguna people. For example, in a Sioux story it would be unlikely
to hear about a ceremony with a sandpainting. Sandpaintings are Native
American art of the Southwest not the Central Plains. The Sioux arts and
craft are primaly bead and quill work. I enjoyed learning about another
heritage.
I think the Internet discussion group was a good idea and a useful tool
for students to communicate with one another. Overall, the class was
entertaining and listening to the other student's comments gave me a
better perception on how people feel about the Indian heritage. It's also
nice to a professor so enthused about what he is teaching. Thank you.
Jerilyn Bonhorst
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