Bird, Gloria. "Towards a Decolonization of the Mind and Text 1: Leslie Marmon Silko's 'Ceremony'. " Wicazo Sa Review 9 (1993): 1-8.
In her essay, Gloria Bird explores the results of colonization and the effects it has had on the American Indian culture. Specifically, Bird focuses on how language, which plays a crucial role in Pueblo stories, ceremonies and daily life, can define self worth and identification within society. Bird supports her argument with many references to her own childhood and youth, explaining how she felt a sense of worthlessness and disconnection with her heritage because she could not speak her native language like her other relatives could. In addition to using examples from her past, Bird relates her own personal journey to Tayo's in Leslie Silko's novel, Ceremony. Like Tayo, she feels shameful for not being able to speak, let alone understand, Indian. However, she views this recognition as beneficial and realizes that the first step in the healing process is admitting your flaws and accepting them. This self-examination and evaluation allows Bird to approach the topic of decolonization with a much more open mind and approach Native American literature, particularly Ceremony, without fear and guilt.
Bird continues her essay with a discussion of a process of colonization called the hegemonic phase where American Indians adopt the colonizer's way of life and beliefs. She believes, based on Silko's Ceremony that Christianity can be potentially harmful to the Pueblo society because it forces people to care only about themselves and not the world as whole, which is a principle of Pueblo culture. It is essential that everyone works together within the Pueblo community, therefore without this, the American Indians do not know what or who to identify with. Finally, Bird touches on one of the most important points of colonization and how American Indians are forced to accept the colonizer's language, English. Language is the fundamental building block for relationships and this barrier creates isolation and a loss of self. Bird concludes her essay, admitting that although we are all colonized, we must continue to promote awareness and knowledge of the Indian language and the way of life.
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Great summary. You clarified some of her more confusing terms and points well. Also, good job incorporating her autobiographical portion.
ReplyDeleteThis touched on several of the significant topics in the article without rambling or becoming confusing. Very clear. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you approached the summary. You used different ideas than most other people and you were able to clearly explain them. I liked that you included Bird's idea that Christianity could possibly be harmful.
ReplyDeletei think it was very important for you to point out how Bird feels about Christianity. you really did well in explaining why the Pueblo's saw this as a bad thing. nice work.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you touched on the role of Christianity and the role it played in her article. Also, your summary, overall, is well-written and conducive to what Bird had to say.
ReplyDeleteyou did a great job talking about the main point of the essay, with several of the minor details as well which is just important. nice work!
ReplyDeleteYour approach to the summary feels fresh, but it still summarizes the essay very well. A little more succinct-ness would've been good, but you did a great job staying on topic and with everything else. I do agree with Ariel, though...I feel that pointing out how Bird feels about Christianity would've made it better. Good work!
ReplyDeleteVery thorough job. Although perhaps a bit lengthy (mine was too), you mention every significant point of the article. Nice.
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