DANCE HALL OF THE DEAD

Dance Hall of the Dead is the second novel to feature the Navajo lieutenant Joe Leaphorn. The novel, which deals with a Navajo boy impossibly trying to become a Zuni, highlights the vast differences between Native American cultures. Some characters from the novel are: Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn a protagonist is the central figure, or main character in a novel. Ernesto Cata is the twelve-year-old Zuñi murder victim; he was well-loved in his community and it was expected that he’d grow up to be a leader. He was given the honor of portraying the Little Fire God at an important Zuñi festival and when he was found dead, the Zuñi tribe was very angry. While not much is known about Ernesto because he dies early in the novel. George Bowlegs is not present …show more content…
Ed Pasquaanti is the chief of the Zuni police. Dr. Reynold is a greedy anthropologist, or someone that studies people and their culture. Ted Isaacs is Dr. Reynold's assistant and is hoping that they can make a discovery that will make him famous in academic circles. Susanne is a young white woman who ran away from an abusive home. She is eager to help other people and wants to take care of them, even though she can barely take care of herself. Some themes that the readers can observed in the entire novel are the cultural conflict and identify. On the point of view of the readers chapter one is told from Ernesto Cata’s point of view. This gives the Zuñi point of view and perspectives on the traditions of Shalako a Zuñi ceremony in which Ernesto has been asked to participate. It is a signal for the reader of the first chapter’s importance since it is the only place in which the author switches points of view. Moreover the remainder of the book is told from Leaphorn’s point of view as a Navajo. This is important to remember, as the reader is getting Leaphorn’s perspective on Zuñi tradition, the Navajo way, the other characters in the novel, and the plot a perspective