The Gardens in the Dunes of Leslie Marmon Silko as a Site of Cultural Resistance from Native Americans | Chapter 5 | Modern Perspectives in Language, Literature and Education Vol. 4

Every society is heavily reliant on its culture. Cultural groups have different ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. In terms of culture, Europeans have always considered themselves to be superior to others. They’ve used their self-proclaimed cultural superiority to oppress people from other cultures. Because of their culture and race, Native Americans have been exploited and marginalized by colonial powers. European invaders used a variety of discursive channels to disseminate false information and preconceived notions about Indians and their culture. Their covert political goal was to make indigenous people feel inadequate about their own culture and way of life, so they would adapt to European customs and accept colonial rule as a benevolent civilizing gesture. Native writers are increasingly attempting to reclaim their culture, reestablish its role in society, and deconstruct European-imposed misconceptions. They chose literature as a weapon against the invaders because they understand the power of writing to influence people. Leslie Marmon Silko is one such Native American woman writer who uses the influence of various literary genres such as novel and poetry to uphold Native Americans’ voices and deconstruct the false notions created by white settlers about native culture and society. In her novel Gardens in the Dunes, Silko attempts to resist the various colonial discursive agents who seek to exploit and oppress Native Americans culturally, politically, and economically. Discourses played a significant role in the spread of such negative stereotypes about Native American culture and traditions.

Author (s) Details

Dr. U. Parvathy
Department of English, T. K. Madhava Memorial College, Nangiarkulangara, Alappuzha, Kerala, India.

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