Datura to Alcoholism: The Use of Medicine and Ritual in Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony and Storyteller
Open MIND April 26, 2026 DOI: 10.13016/m28fss-8yyf (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLeslie Marmon Silko's *Ceremony* and *Storyteller* reveal how medicine ritual simultaneously heals and harms for the Laguna Pueblo people, creating parallels between ancient traditions and contemporary life. The paper analyzes the symbiotic relationship between medicine and ritual in both works, examining their significance within Laguna Pueblo culture and modern perception.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Keywords | Ceremony Parallels Harm Folklore |
| Key finding | Argues that Silko's works demonstrate the symbiotic relationship between medicine ritual and healing or harm for the Laguna Pueblo people, connecting past and present. |
Abstract
Both *Ceremony* and *Storyteller* serve as important written works that demonstrate the relationship between medicine ritual in the work of healing and harm for the Laguna Pueblo people. Author Leslie Marmon Silko demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between these two elements while creating parallels to time immemorial and the present. This paper seeks to analyze the presence and connection of medicine and ritual in each work while analyzing the significance of each in Laguna Pueblo culture and modern perception.