What the Internet Consists of

The internet has many different purposes.  It is a way to connect with others or a way to enhance one's knowledge about almost anything.  It is a tool for good and evil and an information haven for people all around the world.  The internet makes new information almost too easy to access.  "The peoples right to know is much more easily fulfilled than it has ever been in the history of the world. We've come a long, long way and the information revolution is coming." (Culture and Communication)  In other words, because information is more accessible to the average person than it used to be, it has a greater affect on society in many ways.  One effect is mass fear.  This is caused by media showing people the horrors of the world that they may not necessarily otherwise.  For example, when Princess Diana died, people from all over the world were fearful and sad but also intrigued. "The Internet which became a bona fide news medium by the end of the 20th century, also proved to be a successful vehicle for covering the story of Diana's Death." (Culture and Communication)   The internet can be a way for millions to connect and come together.  In this case, people could mourn the loss of Princess Diana together.  With situations like these, the internet is constantly becoming bigger all the time, "research also showed that hundreds of thousands of internet users around the world turned to chat rooms and message boards to express their shock and share grief together.   Princess Diana's death is a prime example of how the internet is used to bring together groups of people to share the human spirit through a virtual way.

Technology Is Great. Or is it?

Many old questions can still be debated today. What comes first? The chicken, or the egg? This question can be taken into consideration when thinking about different kinds of art, like music, literature and film. For example, some say technology is assisting music too much, but what came first, the technology, or the musician?  Bill Drummond, an artist says, "The technology always comes first, then the artist comes along. The artist always comes after the technology." Bill Drummond, PressPausePlay.  In a very basic way this statement is true, with arguably every artist throughout history. VanGough could not paint his masterpieces if paint was never invented. However, can the artist overuse or mis-use the technology?  Evidence points to the answer being yes.  Nick Sansano, a music producer says, "Younger musicians and some older ones that I've seen rely too much on the technology. They give a subpar performance and expect the technology to compensate for it."

Nick Sansano, PressPausePlay.  Although  technology may make these musicians sound better, it leaves out room for human imperfections, that give art creative expression.  Moby, a well known artist says, "I like listening to Billy Holiday because there is vulnerability.  I get really almost intimidated and bored by perfect digital art." Moby PressPausePlay.  Perfection is something that is unnatural to humans.  If one feels "intimidated" by listening, one must feel "intimidated" or worse by creating it.  Technology may have always come before the artist, but does the artist create technology that can be considered art itself?  Time can only tell.

As the internet changes and evolves, so do people.  When someone uses the internet it leaves an electronic footprint thus building a larger picture called an (e)dentity.  In an article written about (e)dentity, Stephanie Vie explains what her definition of an (e)dentity is, " "(e)dentity, an electronic identity composed of the digital traces left behind as we participate in virtual worlds." Stephanie Vie, Your (e)dentity.  One can choose what kind of persona they would like to become in a virtual world. Someone may portray an (e)dentity online who they may not truly be.  Another problem with an (e)dentity is that it is a violation of privacy. "When the news feed feature was introduced in September 2006, thousands of users were outraged, concerned that changes in their relationships, conversations with other users and so on were now immediately visible to everyone else in their network." Stephanie Vie, Your (e)dentity.  People feel their privacy is invaded.  It is almost like living in a big city -vs- a small town. In a city people don't really have an idea of what is going on in the life of people around them however in a small town people know every detail about each other's lives.

(E)dentities, of course, can also be good.  For example, if a music group is just starting their career and needs to promote themselves, it could be used as an effective promotional tool.  (E)entities can also represent a community.  It can  be used to send a message, "An event that clearly illustrated both the power and the limitations of social media was the flood of rapid reactions to the shooting of U.S. congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords."  When people form a community to send a message through social media, it makes a massive virtual footprint, and an even greater (e)dentity.

Forgiving Forgetting

Humans are forced to pay for what their ancestors have given to them.  Why should one have to pay? Why should one want to forgive themselves or their ancestors?  As Thomas says in the beginning of the film Smoke Signals;  "How do we forgive our fathers? Maybe in a dream. Do we forgive our fathers for leaving us too often, or forever."
Born into pain.  People cannot simply choose their lives. Thomas says in Smoke Signals "You know, there are some children who art really children at all. Theory just pillars of flame that burn every thing they touch. And there are some children who are just pillars of ash, that they fall apart if you'd touch em. Me and victor, we were children of flame and ash. Someone that is born into pain is typically very weak. and as a result of that, they may feel like they destroy every thing around them or get destroyed by every thing around them emotionally.  One way to heal from this situation is to simply not take anything that has happened in the past or is currently happening too seriously. To recognize it, but not pick at it. Thomas is a good example of this, because even though he lost both of his parents, he does not let it get to him. He understands it happened, but does not focus on the facts too much. "Sometimes its a good day to die, sometimes its a good day to eat breakfast" He is starting out by saying something depressing and serious, but ending with a way to bring things back to a lighthearted place which his mind is in. There is a time in every ones life, when they must come to understand an emotional wound and why it happened. That is where the journey of healing begins.

It has been proven that Human communication is the hardest thing people do on a daily basis. Why? Several reasons. One being that it depends on the outlook that person has, meaning their mood. When someones outlook is bad it projects on someone else, giving them a bad outlook, the cycle continues. It shows a great example of this in the film Smoke Signals, Arnold Joseph has been racially profiled his whole life giving him a bad outlook "Back then Arnold Joseph was a hippy but that was ok because back then most hippies were trying to be Indians any way!" Therefore projecting these thoughts on his son Victor Joseph, and eventually leaving his family as a result. This makesVictor bitter, and gives him a bad outlook on life. Victor is usually trying to spread his outlook on other people like Thomas for example but he can seem to get through to him. Thomas says "Hey Victor Hows your Dad?"  Which only seems to make Victor's outlook even worse by binging back  memories about his father he wanted to vanish. Why would Thomas do that? he simply did not know. This is another reason why communication is hard. People simply do not know what other people will get offended by. Although Victors father was an alcoholic, that is something he did not pass down to his son. Victor says "I don't drink, never had a drop of alcohol in my life, not a drop." His father taught him not to drink by being a bad example. This is important, however still leaves him with emotional wounds. There are reasons why Communication is hard for Humans, but the benefits outweigh the negatives. By communicating, one can heal.

Witchery: The Roots of Evil

Some people might think of Witchery as a silly idea given some American colonies' tragic experiences In Tayo's culture, Witchery is considered real and a very significant part of life. In Pueblo tradition, all evil comes from Witchery. This quote gives the reader a good idea about what witchery is. "Finally there was only one. Who hadn't shown off any charms or powers. The witch stood in the shadows beyond the fire. And had no one ever knew where this witch had came from. Witch tribe. Or if not man or a woman." Silko Pg.134 many things were brought up in the statement. First of all, it says that the Witch or evil could be man or woman. Second, It will show charm or powers. Last, Fire is a classic metaphor for evil in literature. However this witch is standing behind it, making it featureless. Only a dark entity.

the Healing of Tayo

There are several key factors in the process of Tayo's healing. Baton is one of them. He is somewhat a turning point for him. Tayo is intrigued because Betonie is something he has never seen before. He starts out very subtly, teaching him life lessons. He takes this action because Tayo is very emotional and fragile in this point in his life, which this quote depicts. "Betonie sounded as if he were explaining something simple but important to a small child. But Tayo's stomach clenched around the words." Silko Pg. 125 Betonie is trying to get a point across to Tayo however, he is realizing that it hurts. He is also realizing that he must hear him. In the long run this helps more, making Tayo and Betonie close friends. One thing Betonie may have taught him is that nature is not always bad. Infact Tayo is
seeing nature in a whole to spectrum. ""mountain lion becoming what you are with each breath, your substance changing with the earth and sky." Silko Pg.196 This quote is a very important factor showing Tayo's healing because he is not only connecting with something that is more powerful that himself but also understanding it. Tayo has had many people showing him the good and evil of nature and everything around him but one stood out. Tissea may not be literal person, nevertheless Tayo's mind he was intrigued. "From the stars and the woman, the mountain and the cattle would come." Silko Pg. 186 In this quote, instead of connecting nature with bad memories like rocky dying for example, he is now connecting it with fantasies. Like a woman or the cattle. Even if it seems impossible to heal from something, it is. There is always hope which is what makes tay amazing and stick out from others. Even though he did not have any good memories to connect with nature. He came to understand that he actually did, He just had to create them.



Tayo is inevitably healing through nature. One year ago, according the the book Ceremony, Tayo was so riddled with P.T.S. and emotional distress. This led to him only connecting nature to bad memories. He's has learned many new things since that time. Tayo has changed changed greatly. For example, this quote gives input on how Tayo feels about tissae,"When she left, he got dressed and followed her, he stood in the west and looked at the morning stars." Silko Pg. 189 Tayo after a year is finally starting to live in the present which is being cause by this mystical woman. It s apparent that she is helping Tayo, but how much? this quote is a perfect example that she is one of the biggest factors in his healing process. "I don't want any of those around. They can do their drinking some place else. Not at our place. Her face was stiff." Silko Pg. 218 She is making an impact on Tayos life because she is the only female role model for
him. This quote is also important because at the beginning of the book, Tayo would usually use  drugs to take out his emotions and pain, but now he is staying away. As he becomes closer with Tissea, Tayo begins to understand the balance life needs to have. It is interesting how much is changing. Throughout the book, there will be poem that starts with sunrise. What does this mean? and how is it significant to his healing process? "sunrise sunrise, his words made vapor in the cold morning air." Silko Pg. 216 It almost seems like a new beginning, or a new hope. He is starting to feel the world around him and notice things. each "sunrise" in the book may be a significant milestone in his healing process. If one picks at a scab. It will never heal, but if they understand how they got it and leave it alone. it will eventually heal. Tayo is almost though that process.

Shifting of Life and Tayo's Transformation

Nothing can stay the same. Cultures, Individuals and nature. These things all have phases as explained by Betonie in Ceremony in fact he may be a symbol in the book for the changing of culture. "shopping bags poked out; piled to the tops of woolworth bags were bouquets of dried sage and the brown leave of mountain tobacco wrapped in swaths of silvery unspun wool." Silko Pg. 120 Betonie's home is a completely different place for Tayo. He is at first unsure how to react, Tayo is used to a traditional Indian. As medicine man Ku'oosh is very traditional, Betonie is not. Tayo is realizing that in this quote, "and what do I make of all this? He nodded his head slowly up and down. "Maybe you smelled it when you came in. "I the old days it was simple. A medicine person could get by without all these things. But nowadays..." Silko Pg. 121 The "things" Betonie is referring to are all of the new world items Tayo is seeing scarred throughout Betonie's house. He is saying how he needs all these things nowadays in order to be a successful medicine man. The culture is changing. As Tayo heals, nature has played a big roll in his life. At first the nature he describes is very dark and deeply moving. However, tward the current stage in his healing he is describing more and more beautiful depictions. For example, "Any way, I couldn't help any one who was afraid of me." "He started humming softly to himself, a song that Tayo could only hear only faintly, but that reminded him of of butterflies darting from flower to flower." Silko Pg. 123 This is  interesting
because instead of triggering his P.T.S. this reminds of him something more beautiful. This is symbolizing the shifting in his state of mind. Individuals change through out their life. This makes life change through time. It is a circle that will not change until life on this planet ceases to exist.










Tayo has unfortunately gone through a lot of negatively impacting things during his lifetime. He blames most of those things on himself. One of the things Tayo is burdened with never being able to fit in. At the reservation he is too "white", outside the reservation he is too "Indian" Although for some reason, Gallop was one place he seems to fit in even and Ironically could be where Tayo was conceived. "They don't understand. We know these hills and we are comfortable here." there was something about the way the old man said comfortable, it had a different
meaning" Silko Pg. 117 What is that "different meaning? Even if the whites pushed these people to a different type of land, they still come here and some live here despite all of the failure and poorness of this town. This is what Tayo began to figure out. Tayo has seen more death and destruction than any human should in the Baaton death march. In this quote he talks about witches, the root of all evil. These witches are a possible cause for all the destruction tay has seen. "The witch stood in the shadows beyond the fire and no one ever knew where this witch came from, which tribe? or if it was a man or woman. but the important thing was, this witch didn't show off any dark thunder charcoals or red ant-hill beads." Silko Pg. 135 This which could be a metaphor for Tayo's P.T.S. Or it could be evil in general. Either way it is a dark presence which is somewhere within Tayo. Out of all of this he seems to be healing. which is naturally beautiful. He "He blinked back the tears, but he didn't move. He was tired of fighting. If there was no one left to trust, then he had no more reason to live" and "if you can't trust me you should go home before it gets dark. You can't be too carful these days. Silko Pg. 122 He is somewhat still in pain, but Sometimes one has to resurrect the pain in order for it to go away. It is only human nature.

Tyao Vs. everybody

Tayo has many conflicts in the book Ceremony. However, there are conflicts within every character in  this book. These conflicts are most likely caused by many of the same reasons. Given that all of these characters have been oppressed throughout their entire lives,  they are all angry and want to oppress others. This is shown in Emo and his hatred towards Tayo. "There he is. He thinks he's something all right. Because he's part white. Don't you, half breed?" Silko Pg. 57  Emo is not a good person, in general, but this quote especially shows his darkness. He is Native American and does terrible things in WWII. This makes Emo a worse person than he already is. "Tayo could hear it in his voice when he talked about the killing-how he grew from each killing.  Emo fed on each man he killed, the higher the rank the dead man, the higher it made Emo." Silko Pg. 6
1 Emo is different from most characters, because he is blatantly mean, rude, and scary.  However, some characters are rude and not trying to be. In old man Ku'oosh's place, he says racist things only because that is the way he was raised. "more than an hour went by before Ku'oosh asked him. "you were with the others,  the ones who went to the white peoples war?" Silko Pg. 37  This is obviously a racist statement, however ku'oosh does not see it as such.  He was raised racist, and white people are racist towards hi
m, and so the circle never ends.

Alcoholism effects P.T.S. in a very negative way.  It can make it significantly worse by bringing up bad memories causing emotions to come to life in horrific ways. This is true for Tayo in Ceremony. He says while drinking several beers, "Something was different about the beer this time; it swelled through his blood and made all the muscles loose and warm, but it was also loosening something deeper inside which clenched the anger and held it in place." Silko Pg. 62 Alcohol is a depressant. Therefore, drinking makes Tayo feel angry and upset. Violence can be a product of hurt and anger and sometimes drinking is a product of violence.  The guys may drink to escape, but in the end, it makes things worse increasing violence, "reports note that since the
 second world war a pattern of drinking and violence, not previously seen before, is emerging among Indian veterans." Silko Pg. 53 intact alcohol can make people someone their not. For instance, Tayo is not a violent or hateful person at heart, but when he drinks it is different. "when Emo laughed at him. He moved suddenly, with speed which was effortless and floating like a mountain lion. He got stronger with every jerk that me made" Silko Pg. 63 Tayo acts savage as he punches Emo in the stomach repeatedly. He does not like Emo and is filling himself with alcohol. Mixing those things together can never end good.