The younger Native Americans are caught in a conflict between their Native values and traditions and those of The United States. Tayo's case in particular serves as a perfect example. Auntie, Tayo's "foster" mother, and all of Tayo's friends experience similar conflicts. The Auntie character demonstrates that the conflicts between Natives and non-Native peoples are not the only source of confusion nor are they the sole division between right and wrong. While some of Auntie's problematic behavior originates in her attempts to negotiate between the two cultures, her longing for her dead son and her subsequent mistreatment of Tayo are also sources of her own conflict and confusion. While the novel supports and respects Native

Although Tayo is most definitely Native American by culture, he was of mixed race. Prejudices made him feel a separation from the rest of his Native community. Since his appearance was Native American, he also experienced discrimination in white society. He never felt complete belonging. Since his Aunt raised him, he struggled to fit in, since his Aunt favored his cousin to such an extent. Despite the fact that he looked convincingly Native American, his light eyes would give away his racial mixture.

Native American traditions always played an important role in Tayo's life. Although Tayo dealt with the same cultural difficulties as his peers he did not loose faith in traditional ways as the other veterans had. This often made coping with his memories more difficult for Tayo because he was unable to romanticize his memories of the war as is so common, also among his friends. Tayo believed strongly enough in the old ways that it allowed him the chance to save himself through ceremonies rather than flush himself away, in order to forget the war, the way his friends had done. At the spring, he realized that the old culture in which he was raised and the attendant ancient beliefs would be the only cure for his war sickness and the relief of the drought.

Whites discriminated against Native Americans in horrible ways, making it difficult for Native Americans to develop any sort of decent lives for themselves. Ironically, the white man was in awe of Native traditions. The whites would treat Native American traditional ceremonies as a spectacle and encouraged Natives to perform these ceremonies, often out of context, for p

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Approximate Word count = 1103
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)