Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony as Counter Discourse of American Indians

Abstract

Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony (1977) offers a compelling counter-discourse in response to the Euro-American stereotyping of the Native Americans. Challenging historical injustices, Silko's narrative reclaims Indian identity. The objective of this research is to explore the ways in which Ceremony resists the prevalent white ideologies and discursive agencies that have propagated misleading stereotypes of the Indian culture and marginalized indigenous experiences. Moreover, this article also aims to probe how the novel engages in historical revisionism, the role of spirituality, cultural identity, and traditional knowledge in challenging assimilationist agendas, and to highlight resistance within indigenous communities. By employing John Guillory’s theoretical approaches on canon formation and Craig Womack’s nationalist and separatist stance for cultural representation of Native Americans, this research paper explores the strategies Silko has employed to reshape the discourse surrounding Native Americans and provide such a vibrant voice that challenges historical oppression, nurturing a profound understanding of Indian epistemologies and experiences. This research reveals that Silko has offered an authentic and culturally rich perspective of Native Americans, rejecting stereotypes. Moreover, the novel underscores the significance of Indian spirituality, cultural identity and addresses the reconciliation process within Native communities. This study recommends the inclusion of Ceremony and similar Indian works in educational curricula to promote a more accurate and respectful understanding of indigenous culture and history.