Healing The Scar

This thesis approaches Leslie Marmon Silko's most known novel Ceremony from the perspective of trauma studies. The trauma of the protagonist Tayo is analyzed in detail so as to find out the root of Tayo's mental disorder. By analyzing how the three healers help Tayo complete the healing ceremony, this thesis aims to reveal how Silko seeks to set out of the culture dilemma.The whole thesis is composed of five parts including an introduction and a conclusion. In Introduction, an overview of Indian American literature in general and criticism of Ceremony in particular are done to lay for a solid foundation for the following analysis.Chapter One introduces the concept of trauma and the possible ways of getting out of it. Some basic terms and concepts connected with trauma are clarified to pave the way for the following reading of Ceremony as trauma fiction.Chapter Two focuses on Tayo's trauma from three levels. As a bastard, he is discriminated by his own people. He can neither call himself an Indian nor identify himself with the whites. After returning from the Second World War, the post-traumatic stress disorder almost destroyed him. He suffers from the memories that could not be assimilated into his present life. Moreover, as an Indian, he also suffers from racism.Chapter Three is devoted to the discussion of the recovery process of Tayo's trauma. The doctors in the veterans' hospital could not cure Tayo's psychological trauma. Only by returning to the Indian native culture and by experiencing and joining the ceremony himself could Tayo restore himself and find his real identity. Tayo's recovery could never be completed without the help of the three healers. Their roles in Tayo's healing ceremony would be explored in some detail in this chapter.To conclude, this thesis hopes to contribute something new to the research of Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony and attract more academic attention to the Native American literature in China.