Unit 3 Vocab
A chunk of text that reveals something in the past, a type of "memory" being shared with the audience to provide context to the now.
Flashback
Tayo believes he failed this family member when they were fighting in the jungle during the war
Rocky
These animals symbolize the blending of traditions, as they are a mix of Mexican and Pueblo breeding
Cattle
The Navajo creation story centers on the journey through these sacred spaces
Four Worlds
This geographical feature near the Laguna Pueblo, sacred to the community, is a site of reflection for Tayo as he follows the Mountain Lion to the cattle
Mesas
Origin stories were used this way to provide hints and clues for the future
Foreshadow
Tayo’s mixed heritage includes this group on his mother’s side
Navajo/Laguna Pueblo Tribe
This weather phenomenon reflects the imbalance caused by war and colonial destruction.
Drought
This sacred practice, involving chanting and rituals, is used by Navajo medicine men to restore balance and health
Ceremony
Life in the Laguna Pueblo is contrasted with this nearby town, a symbol of colonial influence and exploitation where Tayo grows up before being adopted by Auntie
Gallup
Setting
Tayo’s healing journey begins with the help of this medicine man who understands the importance of blending traditions
Betonie
The drought also parallels the sterility of this group’s influence on the land, also referred to as "Destroyers"
White People/Colonizers/Government
Ceremony takes place in this state containing a third of The Navajo Nation reservation
New Mexico
Night Swan's Apartment
The storytelling from native cultures that is non-linear and includes structural manipulation to help reveal the theme.
Indigenous Storytelling/Non-Narrative
She adopted him when he was only 4 not by choice, and resented Tayo for most of his life up until after his Ceremony.
Auntie
This animal assists Tayo during his search for the spotted cattle
Mountain Lion
During World War II, Navajo speakers became famous for their role as this
Navajo Code Talkers
The place where Harley is hung up on barbed wire for Tayo to watch, location of Nuclear Colonialism
Trinity Site
A story within a story; a type of parallel structure of storytelling
Intertextuality
Auntie’s relationship with this character shows tension between traditional and modern beliefs. She is a FOIL for Auntie
Old Grandma/Grandma
Representative of "assimilation" and "erasure", a science experiment conducted with them goes against Navajo belief systems.
Frogs
This type of element, often used in jewelry, was first cultivated by the Navajo Tribe
Turquoise
Tayo experiences trauma during World War II in this part of the jungle, a stark contrast to the desert.
The Phillippines