Reclaiming stolen voices : an indigenous, region-based reading of Leslie Marmon Silko’s ceremony, Patricia Grace’s Potiki and Kiana davenport’s shark dialogues

Abstract

This thesis aims to examine how contemporary indigenous writers reclaim their self-definition through the born-within, region-based perspectives in three novels: Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony (1977), Patricia Grace’ Potiki (1986), and Kiana Davenport’s Shark Dialogues (1998). It propounds that the three novels employ indigenous myths, knowledge, and epistemologies to present their modern indigenous culture, history and identity as distinct from mainstream Western stereotypical perceptions. These writers also suggest the necessity for hybridization of traditional culture in order for indigenous cultures to survive when it comes into contact with the global community. The three selected literary texts present integral roles of nature in the formation of indigenous cultural identity and the destruction of the natural environment is therefore a threat to the survival of indigeneity. My analysis of Ceremony suggests that the protagonist, a World War II veteran, recovers from his wartime trauma and identity crisis after he restores his connection with the natural world through the traditions of ceremonies and storytelling. The author applies the structure of Native American ceremony and storytelling in order to reshape readers’ worldview. In Potiki, this thesis argues that Maori cosmological concepts of time and creation govern the indigenous way of life and their relationship within the community and with the land. These notions help the Maori cope with their losses and create their contemporary Maori identity. It is also contended that the novel is constructed in much the same manner as the Maori ancestral house in order to establish the relationship between the characters as hosts and readers as guests. Finally, the reading of Shark Dialogues argues that Hawaiian-ness is not indicated by ethnicity, but contributed by shared suffering, the spirit of defiance, and love of the land. It also postulates that only through their understanding of their family history are the characters healed from personal conflicts and historical trauma.