Customer center

We are a boutique essay service, not a mass production custom writing factory. Let us create a perfect paper for you today!

Example research essay topic: Leslie Marmon Mixed Ancestry - 925 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

Introduction: In reviewing the notes I prepared, from the novel Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko, and the classroom discussion, I have discovered another aspect of the work that I would like to explore. This response focuses on the psychological aspect of Tayo's character and the motivation for his behavior. In the novel, Silko explores the gender roles of four women and the significance to the development and actualization of Tayo's character. These four women are Tayo's birth mother, Auntie, old Grandma, and Tseh (a Montano). Because Tayo is of mixed ancestry, half white and half Native American, Tayo discovers he has a natural cultural flaw imposed upon him at birth, which would linger and expand into adulthood. At four years old, Tayo's birth mother left him with his Aunt and Grandmother so they could raise him as their own due to her alcohol addiction and vicarious life-style.

He didnt remember much: only that she (mother) had come after dark and wrapped him in a mans coat it smelled like a man and that there were men in the car with them... he clung to her because when she left him, he knew she would be gone for a long time... there were tears all over his face and his nose was running (Silko 65 - 66). Nonetheless, Tayo's sense of emptiness and abandonment began. Auntie raised Tayo and was the mother figure he lacked. However, Auntie reluctantly accepted this responsibility because she could not bear to raise a child that brought the reservation shame by his mothers mistake.

On the other hand, Auntie willingly accepted Tayo to conceal the shame of her younger sister (Ibid 29). This contradiction, made Auntie hesitant toward Tayo as he was not her real son and was also a half-breed. For Tayo, this only added to his feeling of displacement and the feeling of being invisible (Ibid 14). Auntie would give her affection and attention to her natural son Rocky, and would intentionally make Tayo feel excluded. It was a private understanding between the two of them. When Josiah or old Grandma or Robert was there, the agreement was suspended, and she pretended to treat him the same as she treated Rocky, but they both knew it was only temporary (Ibid 66 - 67).

Moreover, this treatment towards Tayo had only added salt in the wound. After the war, Auntie nursed Tayo because he was all she had left (Ibid 29) after Rocky was killed in action and Josiah had passed. Tayo would wake up crying after dreaming about how much Josiah had loved him and always hugged him when he was a child (Ibid 32). Now he realized that there wasnt a place left for him and he would never find peace (Ibid 32). Auntie may have felt she mothered him (out of duty), yet to Tayo she was just someone who looked after him. Unlike Auntie, old Grandma, does accept Tayo as her own blood and wants only the best for him.

For instance, when Grandma suggested that boy needs a medicine man. Otherwise, he will have to go away, Auntie retaliated with Oh, I dont know, Mama. You know how they are. You know what people will say if we ask for a medicine man to help him.

Someone will say its not right. Theyll say, Dont do it. Hes not full blood anyway (Ibid 33). However, Grandma stated hes my grandson. If I send for old Kuoosh, hell come. Let them talk if they want to (Ibid 33).

In other words, Grandma is more concerned about the health and well-being of her grandson rather than the gossip of the other tribesmen. The love and compassion demonstrated by old Grandma allowed Tayo to experience some feeling of belonging ness, however not enough to make Tayo feel whole. It is when Tayo meets and falls in love with Tseh, a mystical character that appears and disappears in various parts of the novel, that he completes his healing journey. The significance of Tseh to Ceremony is very powerful and vital to the recovery of Tayo. She lives up in the rim rock and is in tune with the land and her surroundings. Being torn between the white world and the Indian world and the unfortunate circumstances of his upbringing, leaves Tayo feeling invisible and hollow inside.

Tseh helps him to become in touch with his Indian side and to feel strength and power from the land. She teaches him the importance of certain plants, flowers, and ceremonies and how they are significant to Native American culture and survival. Thus, after falling deeply in love with her, Tayo begins to feel alive again. He realizes that he has a place in the culture and that he is not invisible to everyone and his surroundings. Tayo awoke one night dreaming of her arms around him strong and he was overwhelmed by the love he felt for her (Ibid 218).

Nevertheless, Tayo has completed his healing journey and feels whole again. In conclusion, Tayo no longer feels like a walking shadow, but finally a real person with feelings and emotions (other than anger). It is with the help of Grandma and Tseh that he discovers himself and is ultimately able to overcome the trauma inflicted upon him by his birth mother and Auntie. He is able to accept his mixed ancestry in a changing world. Therefore, when Tseh finally leaves him, Tayo is able to go on living and remembering all that she has taught him. Bibliography: Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko


Free research essays on topics related to: mixed ancestry, medicine man, leslie marmon, native american, birth mother

Research essay sample on Leslie Marmon Mixed Ancestry

Writing service prices per page

  • $18.85 - in 14 days
  • $19.95 - in 3 days
  • $23.95 - within 48 hours
  • $26.95 - within 24 hours
  • $29.95 - within 12 hours
  • $34.95 - within 6 hours
  • $39.95 - within 3 hours
  • Calculate total price

Our guarantee

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • plagiarism-free authentic works
  • completely confidential service
  • timely revisions until completely satisfied
  • 24/7 customer support
  • payments protected by PayPal

Secure payment

With EssayChief you get

  • Strict plagiarism detection regulations
  • 300+ words per page
  • Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced
  • FREE abstract, outline, bibliography
  • Money back guarantee for missed deadline
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • Complete anonymity of all our clients
  • Custom essays
  • Writing service

EssayChief can handle your

  • essays, term papers
  • book and movie reports
  • Power Point presentations
  • annotated bibliographies
  • theses, dissertations
  • exam preparations
  • editing and proofreading of your texts
  • academic ghostwriting of any kind

Free essay samples

Browse essays by topic:

Stay with EssayChief! We offer 10% discount to all our return customers. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends!

Academic ghostwriting

About us

© 2002-2024 EssayChief.com