Genre
Anthology of poems and short stories
Setting and Context
The setting of each short story and poem changes, but the time period remains the same
Narrator and Point of View
Silko narrates all of the book, in both the first and third-person
Tone and Mood
The tone is exciting; the mood is dramatic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Puebla is the protagonist; Lagon is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel occurs when Marmon first introduces a collection of photographs to the reader, as a way of setting the context for us.
Climax
The climax of the story is reached when the importance of language is touched upon through the use of memories.
Foreshadowing
The shared stories are foreshadowed by the communal environment and culture throughout the stories.
Understatement
The importance of oral tradition is understated throughout the novel.
Allusions
The story alludes to the ways in which we can maintain traditional techniques and methods of storytelling.
Imagery
The imagery of the beautiful countryside and villages is present in the novel.
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Silko's own research and the fiction written throughout the book.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The community is personified through the well at the heart of the village.
