Symbolic Meaning of the Wind—Journey, Initiation and Identity in Gardens in the Dunes

Abstract

Silko, as a writer who attaches great importance to the landscape of the Laguna reservation, accentuates natural elements and imagery in her literary creation. Gardens in the Dunes is the most typical one. This novel is infused with a vast scope of flora and detailed delineation of weather to the extent that some even believe that Silko must be an expert in horticulture and meteorology. “Wind” is one of the most recurrent weather imageries in Gardens in the Dunes, ranging from the literary form of “wind”, “breeze” to “storms” and “hurricane”. Based on the analysis of the wind’s interaction with different characters and the roles it plays, such as “backgrounder”, purifier, facilitator, messenger, consoler, mentor and destroyer, the author is dedicated to elucidating that through depicting the “wind” in different circumstances, Silko reveals her advocacy of reconstructing female identity, her denunciation of imperialism and capitalism as well as her reflection on native cultures.