Time, Memory and the truth behind it all.

In this week's reading assigned for Silko's Ceremony, I found the concept of time and the theme of memory to be ever present. Perhaps it is the idea of time and memory that strikes me, because after the hardships, family problems and relationships, I too struggle with the concept of time and memory. I believe that time does heal the pain and it does fade the struggles but the memories...the memories are what makes it hard to move on even when time does. It is the memory of what was that makes it hard to believe that the time will take away what it needs to. It is the memory that makes us want the time to stay still, or the time to fly.

On page 147 (blue cover), Silko writes, "He didn't have to remember anything, he didn't have to feel anything but this; and he wished the truck would never stop moving, that they could ride like that forever" as if to say that Tayo didn't have to feel anything as long as he allowed himself in the truck, in that moment to let go of the grief and the sadness, let go of the memories and the visions and just allow himself to live. There is a similiar passage, the entire paragraph on page 157 that deals with the aspect of losing touch with himself, with his life, loss in general. Loss, in great part, has everything to do with Tayo and his passing time. Tayo's time limit on himself to forget the things that happened to him and the people he has lost is not realistic in any sense of the human race. Throughout all of his thoughts and dreams and vomit-triggers, he holds himself so closely to the horrible things he experienced and later on (not revealing too much), on his voyage to find himself in everything and anything (especailly the land, nature) he finally comes to terms with the aspect of time and in a small, small way, finds the will to allow time to heal him and his broken mind. It is in Tayo's memories that has lost himself and has lost his way. It is only through time that he will be able to step outside of his war-life and step into the ceremonial life.