Monday, April 7, 2008

Ceremony

I've enjoyed Ceremony a lot more as I kept reading it. You get used to the flashbacks and changes. The end of the novel is the most saddening part of the book. Tayo is picked up by Leroy and Harly, who are capturing him to bring to Emo. When Tayo evades them, he realizes if he completes this night, the last step in the ceremony will be complete. Later, the bodies of Harley and Leroy are found in a ditch with full military attire. It is obvious Emo did it when they also find out Pinky has died too. Tayo is completing the ceremony not only for him but for all those who when to war and are now affected in some way. In completing the ceremony, he must come to understand that loss is a part of life, as he comes to this understanding, all three of his friends die, as if they are a sacrifice in the ceremony. The end just seemed to make sense in this way and was a good closure to the circle of events.

1 comment:

Patty Keefe Durso said...

5/21/08

Hi Michelle,
You did a great job on your blog posts this semester! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on all of the stories and novels. You did a great job providing detailed responses and I love how you talked, at least at one point, about how the books made you feel (e.g., The Kite Runner making your cheeks "rosy" and eyes "watery"—it is great to be able to get so into the reading that it evokes a physical response!

Good posts on Zenzele too (though I can see it was harder for you to get into that book)—your point about the dog's fur being symbolic of white culture is interesting.

Glad to see that Ceremony improved with time for you—nice comments about the "circle of events" at the end of the novel.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the readings here (and in class!). Best wishes in your future studies!

Prof Durso