Olivia Adair Dr. Jordan WR 121 5 June 2018 Symbolism in “The Way to Rainy Mountain” In N. Scott Momaday’s “The Way to Rainy Mountain” he writes about his memories of his family and tribe. He returned to Rainy Mountain due to the death of his grandma, Aho. Momaday mirrors himself with his tribe, known as the Kiowas, and their journey towards the southern plains from western Montana. His grandmother lived during the time that the Kiowa people were defeated by the U.S. cavalry which took away much of their land. In his short story, Momaday shows meaning and emotion by using substantial symbolism throughout his writing. Momaday uses very descriptive narration to tell how the Kiowas understand themselves as people to draw readers in. He begins with explaining how the Kiowa people were created, coming from a hollow log. The character that is most important in the story seems to be his grandmother. His grandmother had told him of these many beliefs and traditions that were passed down to her throughout her lifetime. …show more content…
Though she did not even see all the events that she told of; her stories were passed down through generations as if she had lived through every one of them. This is seen when Momaday says “Although my grandmother lived out her long life in the shadow of Rainy Mountain, the immense landscape of the continental interior lay like memory in her blood. She could tell of the Crows, whom she had never seen, and of the Black Hills, where she had never been” (Momaday 131). The power of the Kiowa verbal tradition is obvious here. Aho lived her whole life in Oklahoma, yet she is so acquainted with centuries of history that she is capable of conveying her culture to her