Ceremony: Pages 121-190

I am not sure what I think of this book at this point in my reading. At times I feel very clear and sure of what is going on buy then all of the sudden I become extremely lost. I find myself having a hard time understanding what is going on, where the characters are, and what point in time it is. I had a great deal of trouble with understanding who Betonie was and then about the story that was told with Descheeny and the ceremonies. At this point in the book I got very confused as to what exactly was happening and the significance of this in the book. I feel as if I may have lost something due to my confusion. However, in the following "scene" with Harvey, Leroy, and Helen Jean, I felt "back on track" with the book. Although I understood this part of the book in the car (as Harvey, Leroy, etc. are drunk) and then at the bar, I was still a bit confused as to when this all was happening.

I seem to be drawn into the scenes in the book, but then get confused as I try to figure out when things are taking place. I find myself, however, continuing to read through the pages in hopes that the pieces will come together later on and that I will then be able to understand.

AS I have been reading, I have noticed a theme of invisibility. Specifically, on page 123, I took notes as I read. On this page, it says, "They sent me to this place after the war. It was white. Everything in that place was white. Except for me. I was invisible." This is said by Tayo when talking to the medicine man. I feel that this statement made really shows how Tayo feels in the world. He is constantly feeling like an outcast and wants to be or sees himself as invisible to everyone else. In the hospital, at his "home" with this Auntie and everywhere in between, Tayo feels lost and confused.

Overall, I feel this theme, along with others such as drought, confusion, and loneliness, seem to be carried throughout the book. I feel bad for the character of Tayo and hope that as I read further and reflect n the book that I will be able to come away with a better understanding of the life of an Indian in America and the struggles that it involves.