Read Yellow Woman and a Beauty of Spirit by Leslie Marmon Silko

Read “Yellow Woman and a Beauty of Spirit” by Leslie Marmon Silko Created by Created time class Eesha Ray @September 3, 2024 2:43 PM WRITING 160 done due date type @September 4, 2024 notes Some Points Modern way included racism For the old-time people, a person’s appearance was trivial in comparison to their behavior Lilac and Iris (delicate, purple) Page 3, end, calming, quaint feel Page 4, beginning, she is forced to be aware at such a young age, very relatable in a way (how conscious she is) Old-time people view everyone as the same as everyone has the same Creator QUOTE Some years the desert receives abundant rain, other years there is too little rain, and sometimes there is so much rain that floods cause destruction. But rain itself is neither innocent nor guilty. The rain is simply itself. Read “Yellow Woman and a Beauty of Spirit” by Leslie Marmon Silko 1 QUOTE (old-time pov) To the Pueblo way of thinking, the act of comparing one living being with another was silly, because each being or thing is unique and therefore incomparably valuable because it is the only one of its kind. Food for everyone in Pueblo society (reminds me of Communist culture)… no social ladder The old-time people view beauty as a whole (not just the appearance but the soul and abilities)… page 5 No gender roles for old-time End of page 5 left me shocked No birthdays for the old-time people because aging is not of importance Page 6 is very mind-opening End of page 7 reminds me of traditional stories I’ve read Start of page 8 opened up my mind again, because pretty much all of the traditional story protagonists have been male from what I’ve read Mid page 8, the generosity is shocking me (but absurdity in traditional stories is not unheard of) End of page 8 would definitely be controversial today (but I guess that’s the point)… also, her description sounds beautiful, and it’s relatable how she inserts herself into the Yellow Woman’s story Page 9 also interprets the Yellow Woman’s stories from a unique perspective. Today, women would be shamed for being sensual, not praised. To compare how that is a peaceful alternative to violence, something stereotypically men in today’s society, paints her stories in a positive light. Nowadays, society has misinterpreted feminism as proving that women can be like men instead of embracing the innate qualities of women. Was there a particular element of the writing (a passage, a character, a detail, a line of dialogue —anything) that you found especially compelling? How is it working? What made it so moving or memorable? Read “Yellow Woman and a Beauty of Spirit” by Leslie Marmon Silko 2 I found Kochininako, or the Yellow Woman, to be a very compelling character because of the fresh perspective she provides. Her stories are only described at the end of the essay, but they’re very mind opening. The Yellow Woman’s stories are ones of heroism, but they are not what anyone would expect. Her description follows, “the beauty that Yellow Woman possesses is the beauty of her passion, her daring, and her sheer strength to act when catastrophe is imminent” (Silko 8). I could not help but be reminded of the princess Mulan, whose story did not focus on her appearance as much as it did her warrior spirit. However, when I read Kochininako’s stories, I found that she is not as much Mulan as I thought. The main theme of the stories that Silko focuses on is Kochininako’s sensuality, which contrasts the warrior spirit I predicted her to have. Silko says that, “her triumph is achieved by her sensuality, not through violence and destruction” (9). Modern day female heroes, such as Mulan, are not portrayed that way, but that’s why Kochininako is so compelling. Nowadays, we mistake feminism as proving to society that women can achieve by embodying manly traits (Mulan), instead of by embracing the innate qualities of women (Kochininako). Mulan’s warrior spirit is very commendable, but Kochininako depicts how sensuality, a stereotypically female trait, can be commendable as well. It is her sensuality alone that earns her the meat of the Buffalo people, and that brings the people two great heroes. Needless to say, sensuality was her strength. Even though we often think of “strength” as bodily strength, Kochininako’s character reminded me that “strength” is versatile. Truly, her character is mind-opener with the unique, shamelessly feminine way she is portrayed. Read “Yellow Woman and a Beauty of Spirit” by Leslie Marmon Silko 3