Metanarrative of the Protagonist During the Story
In “Yellow Woman” by Silko, the protagonist grapples with her identity and cultural heritage through storytelling and myth. The metanarrative of the main character involves her journey of self-discovery as she navigates the boundaries between reality and myth. Throughout the story, the woman is torn between two narratives: the reality of her life and the mythic world of Yellow Woman. As she spends time with Silva, a man she meets while out herding sheep, she begins to embody the role of Yellow Woman and engages in a romantic relationship with him.
The Protagonist’s Decision to Change the Story
However, upon returning to her family, the protagonist decides to tell them a different story, portraying her as a victim of Silva’s advances rather than an active participant. This decision to change the narrative highlights the power of storytelling and how it can shape one’s perceptions of reality.
Silko’s View on Storytelling and Myth: Examples from Text
Silko may suggest that myths and stories are not fixed but malleable and subject to interpretation. As the protagonist tells her own story, she can assert agency and direct the course of her own story, ultimately shaping her identity. One line that reinforces this understanding appears when the main character reflects on her experience with Silva: “I had been afraid of what I might become if I stayed with him too long. But now I knew I could leave him whenever I wanted to.” This suggests that the protagonist controls her story and can shape it however she chooses.
Another quote that supports this interpretation is when the protagonist decides to tell her family a different story: “I would tell them how it happened, just as I remembered it.” This suggests that the protagonist recognizes the power of storytelling and is using it to assert her agency and control over her narrative. Hence, Silko’s “Yellow Woman” explores the complex relationship between storytelling, myth, and identity. Through the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery, Silko suggests that stories are not fixed but are subject to interpretation and can be used to shape our identities.