Leslie Marmon Silko Essay

Leslie Marmon Silko begins the text by describing her difference. Silko then uses this difference as the groundwork for the rest of the text, describing how differences are viewed in the Laguna culture, followed by stories on Yellow Woman and what makes her beautiful. Silko bases the entire text around difference, surrounded by details of beauty and her culture as backing, creating a sense of resolution. In the beginning of the text, Silko states “From the time I was a small child, I was aware that I was different” (paragraph 1). This creates a sense of conflict, and attracts the reader further into the text. Difference, in modern society, is typically seen as an underdog trait, a form of imperfection. This is further seen when Silko …show more content…
3). This foreshadows the stories to come that explain why the old-time people think this way. It shows that her grandmother and other elders like her don’t consider physical traits an important feature to one’s personality. It also acts as a small sense of resolution for the conflict created in the beginning. Silko then goes on to describe the views and ways of the old-time people. She describes how strong women were admired, aging wasn’t considered socially, and that “differences were celebrated as signs of the Mother Creator’s grace” (pg. 18). She also states that “Before the arrival of Christian missionaries, a man could dress as a woman and work with the women and even marry a man without any fanfare” (pg. 19). This shows how in the old times, differences were something beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. It shows how differences were, in fact, something one should be proud of and celebrated. This is further seen when Silko states “To be different, to be unique was blessed and best of all” (pg. 21). This adds to the idea that Silko’s difference stated in the beginning is actually something good. It also creates a sense of progression, in that she doesn’t discover her difference as a beautiful thing