This essay was much less interesting to read than was "Ground Zero", perhaps because I did not have much of a personal tie to the Native American Culture. I did like, the story within the essay, though about how the Big Dipper came to be; that was my favorite part.
I think this piece serves more of a memoir than anything for the grandmother of the author. It may also express freedom in the wilderness. "There is a perfect freedom in the mountains, but it belongs to the eagle, and the elk, the badger, and the bear." I take this as, only the animals of nature can be free. City-bound people, workaholics, even stay-at-home moms don't get to feel and enjoy the freedom animals do. Sometimes this bounding feeling of chains tied to my arms and legs overwhelms me, brought on by the stress of life. No one said life was going to be this stressful. Reading things like this essay that describe all the beauties and wonders of nature help tranquilize me sometimes, thinking of calm serene places and let your mind just float away.
Another suggestible theme might be to preserve and experience your culture. Momaday talks about his ancestors' history, namely his grandmother who is the primary reason is writing this essay. Remebering her, "standing at the wood stove.." and "turning meat in a great iron skillet". Momaday says "I can have her only in memory" which as time passes is true for us in many people. Death and grief may be one of the hardest things humans must live through, and remembering the best moments is often how we pull through.
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