Leslie Marmon Silko
Leslie Marmon Silko
A Prolific Writer of Native American Literature
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Leslie Marmon Silko is a well-known Native American author of novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. Her full name is Leslie Marmon Silko, but she is often referred to as Leslie Silko or simply Silko.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 5, 1948, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Silko is still an active writer today.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Silko is a citizen of the Laguna Pueblo tribe. She has worked as a professor of English at various institutions and is widely regarded for her contributions to Native American literature.
#### Early Life and Background
Growing up on the Laguna Pueblo reservation in New Mexico, Silko's early life was marked by both cultural richness and socio-economic hardship. Her experiences with traditional storytelling and connection to the natural world would later influence much of her writing. After high school, she attended the University of New Mexico before transferring to Connecticut College.
#### Major Accomplishments
Silko has made significant contributions to Native American literature through her innovative and introspective works. Some notable achievements include:
Publication of "Ceremony" (1977): Her debut novel, which has been hailed as a classic in the genre.
Influence on Indigenous Literature: Silko's work has paved the way for other Native American writers to explore their experiences and stories.
Recognition from Academia and Community: She has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to literature, including a MacArthur Fellowship.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Silko's notable works include:
"Ceremony" (1977): A coming-of-age story set on an Indian reservation that explores themes of identity, culture, and spirituality.
"Almanac of the Dead" (1991): A novel that delves into the intersection of history, politics, and personal narratives.
Essays in "Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit" (1993): Silko's collection of essays explores topics such as identity, storytelling, and the complexities of Native American experiences.
#### Impact and Legacy
Silko's writing has had a profound impact on readers worldwide. Her stories often blur the lines between personal narratives and larger historical contexts, creating a unique reading experience that acknowledges both individual struggles and collective histories.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Leslie Marmon Silko is widely quoted and remembered for her thought-provoking works that offer insightful perspectives on identity, culture, and storytelling. Her innovative style has influenced generations of writers and readers alike, solidifying her place as a prominent figure in Native American literature.
As a writer who seamlessly weaves together historical events, cultural practices, and personal experiences, Silko continues to inspire and challenge readers with her words.
Quotes by Leslie Marmon Silko
Writing can't change the world overnight, but writing may have an enormous effect over time, over the long haul.
This feeling was their life, vitality locked deep in blood memory, and the people were strong, and the fifth world endured, and nothing was ever lost as long as the love remained.
I don’t make outlines or plans because whenever I do, they turn out to be useless. It is as if I am compelled to violate the scope of any outline or plan; it is as if the writing does not want me to know what is about to happen.
There was not, and there never had been, a legal government by Europeans anywhere in the Americas. Not by any definition, not even by the Europeans’ own definitions and laws. Because no legal government could be established on stolen land.
He liked the way she talked. There was something in her eyes too. He saw it the first time when she had said, ‘I’ve seen you before many times, and I always remembered you.’ Josiah could not remember ever seeing her before, but there was something in her hazel brown eyes that made him believe her.
In that hospital they don’t bury the dead, they keep them in rooms and talk to them.
That was the responsibility that went with being human, old Ku’oosh said, the story behind each word must be told so there could be no mistake in the meaning of what had been said; and this demanded great patience and love.
He cried the relief he felt at finally seeing the pattern, the way all the stories fit together – the old stories, the war stories, their stories – to become the story that was still being told. He was not crazy; he had never been crazy. He had only seen and heard the world as it always was: no boundaries, only transitions through all distances and time.
Anybody can act violently – there is nothing to it; but not every person is able to destroy his enemy with words.