culture artfully preserved

This book has a structure unlike any I've really come across before, and I think this was definitely my favorite aspect of the work. I guess one could argue that the structure could be categorized more as a loose outline, but nevertheless, the way Momaday crafts a narrative that combines mythology, historical information, and personal anecdotes is very unique and made me as a reader get to decipher the loose but prevalent connections between the sections. One of my other favorite aspects of the work was everything I got to learn about the culture of the Kiowa tribe. I have never heard of or gotten the chance to learn about these peoples' rich history, religious belief system, various gods, or mistreatment by the US government (as is sadly a part of many Native American tribes' stories). I think it's incredibly important to be aware of stories like the Kiowa tribe's that Momaday tells and preserves so eloquently, especially now that this particular tribe no longer physically exists. I think one can argue that a book like this ensures that the legacy of the Kiowas will live on, and that's certainly a beautiful thought. 



My favorite quote from The Way to Rainy Mountain:

"A word has power in and of itself. It comes from nothing into sound and meaning; it gives origin to all things."

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