Laughing Boy

Description

Laughing Boy is a novel about a young Navajo man who falls in love with a woman who has been educated in a white boarding school, forcing them to navigate the clash between traditional Navajo culture and the modern American world.

Topics

Navajo culture, cultural clash, love, tradition, modernity

Detailed Description

Laughing Boy, a poignant novel by Oliver La Farge, delves into the lives of young Navajos grappling with the tension between their ancestral traditions and the encroaching influence of American culture in the 1920s. The story centers on Laughing Boy, a skilled silversmith deeply connected to his Navajo heritage, and Slim Girl, a captivating woman returning from a white boarding school, torn between two worlds. Their love blossoms amidst the stark beauty of the Navajo landscape, but their relationship is tested by prejudice, cultural misunderstandings, and the allure of modern life. La Farge's compelling narrative offers a sensitive portrayal of Navajo customs, spiritual beliefs, and the challenges faced by a proud people striving to preserve their identity in a rapidly changing nation.

About the Author

Oliver La Farge

Oliver La Farge (1901-1963) was an American writer and anthropologist known for his work documenting and celebrating Native American cultures. Born into a prominent New York family, he developed a deep respect for Indigenous traditions through his anthropological fieldwork and literary pursuits. La Farge's experiences living among the Navajo people informed his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Laughing Boy, a poignant story of love and cultural conflict that brought Native American voices to a wider audience. He actively advocated for Native American rights and self-determination throughout his life.

Key Characters

  • Laughing Boy: A skilled Navajo silversmith, deeply connected to his traditions and values. He represents the beauty and strength of Navajo culture.
  • Slim Girl: A Navajo woman who returns from a white boarding school, torn between her ancestral heritage and the allure of modern American life. She embodies the challenges of cultural assimilation and the search for identity.
  • Red Man: A Navajo man who interacts with both Laughing Boy and Slim Girl, providing perspective on their relationship and serving as a connection to their broader community.

Keywords

Laughing Boy, Oliver La Farge, Navajo, cultural clash, love story, Pulitzer Prize, Native American literature, boarding school, tradition vs modernity, cultural identity, loss of innocence, intercultural romance, 1920s America, New Mexico, silversmithing, weaving, Navajo reservation, cultural preservation, assimilation, racism, interracial relationships, spiritual journey, Red Man, Slim Girl, cultural heritage, American West, Native American history, tragedy, redemption, author Oliver LaFarge

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