“Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel Ceremony (1977) unfolds a half-breed’s search for identity amidst fragmented shards of his own tribalism, a way of life torn asunder by centuries of oppression” (Swan 1991: 39). The progress of Tayo and Rocky in Ceremony 2.1. The reasons are sometimes the same like 50 years ago. There are still humans that are caught between two worlds because they are of mixed descend and were unsuccessful in the search for the sense of belonging. This is why this topic also represents a problem of today’s people.

The kind of answers one gives to the question Who am I? depends in part upon how one answers the question What is this society? – and this world – in which we live” (Lynn 1999: 14)? One has to be able to define his position in the world. Therefore, it creates further hurdles for Tayo and Rocky, but “ search for identity is a social as well as an individual problem. Living in a reservation unfolds a unique way of life which differs from the lifestyle of the White’s. The reasons for the accurate analysis of Tayo’s and Rocky’s characteristics by comparison are their different philosophy of life and searching for identity. This seminar paper will also focus on the similarities and distinctions between the two mentioned characters and the topic identity including the associated term hybridity, for example. Therefore, to analyze Tayo’s and Rocky’s identity or search for it, one has to examine their life career and relations with other persons because “ a person’s identity is influenced by others recognition of that identity ” (Jenlink & Townes 2009: 127). It is an important section because “ essence, the individual’s actions and character define his identity” (Jenlink & Townes 2009: 127). The first part of the paper will focus on demonstrating the development of these two major characters in Ceremony. Both are somehow caught in the middle because of living in-between. His cousin Rocky, on the other hand, is a full-blood Indian, but does everything to be a part of the “white world”. Tayo feels ashamed of himself because of his white ancestry. They show the problems occurring for persons that are “caught between two worlds”. The latter is one of the major themes appealing in Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony and this seminar paper will focus on the two characters Tayo and Rocky.

In our life everybody asks himself: Who am I? The answers to that question generate everyone’s self-perception which will be always part of one’s identity. Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony The distinctions between Tayo and RockyĤ. The similarities between Tayo and Rockyģ.2. Rocky - the symbol of a changing generationģ.1. The progress of Tayo and Rocky in CeremonyĢ.2.

Leslie silko ceremony