Use the article posted in Classroom to reflect on cognitive dissonance in Ceremony. Consider how cognitive dissonance — the challenge/stress caused by holding contradictory ideas simultaneously — is represented in the novel. We see it most powerfully in Tayo’s mind, and it is the source of much of his mental anguish / psychiatric illness. We also see it reflected in the many binary opposites (light/dark, dry/wet, white/non-white, American/Japanese, etc.) and the core image pattern of separation/mixture. Some specific questions you might explore are:
3. How does Tayo’s journey represent a process of working through cognitive dissonance?
You may find yourself with a lot to say about this topic, as I’m asking you to consider pretty weighty questions. I’m requiring three pages as a minimum, but you might (and possibly should) find yourself needing to say more.
Please use standard MLA formatting. Be sure to include the article on cognitive dissonance as well as the novel in your Works Cited page. Do not use secondary sources on the novel without clearing it with me first.
– The Book it is on is Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
-The article mentioned here is:
