English 169, Lecture 1
With Prof. Schaub, Spring 2007
Teaching Assistant: Emily S. Yu

Monday, April 23, 2007

Importance of the Priests

We see in The House Made of Dawn the representations of two forms of priests one in Father Olguin and the other in the form of Tosamah, the priest of the sun. I would argue that both are ways to remember the past. They each tell stories from the past and try to be a central uniting force. In a way I would say it is bringing two separate beliefs systems and molding into one??? Thoughts? What implications or importance might this have in Abel's life? Can he be at home in both of these preachers ways?

2 comments:

Meghan Guyton said...

I do believe that Momaday was trying to unite Abel in himself. He uses the priests as a religious factor, making sure the spirtuality of the tribe comes along with the relationship. He obviously wanted to show that a native american tribe is basic but can also move along in the times ans that is apparent through this book. Abel wants the two sides of his life to coinside. He wants to bring them bothalong and while that may be very difficult, he still wants to try. I think he can feel at home in both cases and i believe home to him is the comfort and spirituality behind a place or a person.

sam said...

I also believe that it represents the coming together of two halves of Abel. He has seen the unknown, he has experienced the white man's world, yet wants to keep his Native American soul strong. It will take some time but I do believe he can feel at home in both of these messages.