Environment and Justice in Silko’s Ceremony

Silko seeks justice through her novel, Ceremony. Silko’s protagonist Tayo is ill as the novel begins. He is a despaired war veteran like many other Native American youths. Tayo needs a ceremony from Betonie, a medicine man. Betonie’s elucidation for the ceremony focuses on offering a new vision for Tayo. And through Betonie’s view, Silko presents us with the whole history of the whites’ detachment from nature and their destructive forces. Tayo’s experience of ceremony makes him see the truth and challenge the dominant culture. He restores the reciprocal man-nature relationship, and he can see the emptiness of the white culture which has been built on stolen land. Tayo’s recovery of his sense about the natural environment and caring for plants and animals is symbolic. He finally regains the stolen cattle and overcomes his despair through Ts’eh’s love. Tayo is at last ready to lead his people and calls for justice just as Silko tries to achieve it through writing her novel.