1. How does Momaday begin his essay? Why does he begin this way?

回答：

He begins this essay with a lyrical description of the author’s ancestral land, which plays a key role in his exploration of his Kiowa identity.

2. How is the essay organized? How does the author combine the telling of his grandmother’s story with his exploration of the history of his Kiowa ancestors?

回答：

The essay is organized by combining the telling of his grandmother story with his exploration of the history of his Kiowa ancestors. The author’s grandmother’s story is used as a focal point, but it quickly moves on to the story of the Kiowa people. The use of words like “she belonged to the last culture” and “her forebears” smoothes the transition. The author’s grandmother is the immediate reason for him to come to Rainy Mountain, and she is also the link between the author and his ancestors.

3. What is the mode of writing of this piece? Is it descriptive or narrative? How do the descriptions serve the purpose of the writing?

回答：

The mode of writing of this piece is descriptive, including the description of the land, narration of his grandmother’s and his people’s stories: the lyrical description of the author’s ancestral land plays a key role in his exploration of his Kiowa identity.

4. In several places the author describes the landscape in detail. Why is the land so important for him in the exploration of his racial and tribal heritage?

回答：

Because the migration of his people took place here, and the land is the visible embodiment of the tribal history while the old days are gone forever and the Kiowa warriors are dead; the culture has almost disappeared. What remains is the land which is the visible embodiment of their peopled past. Having directly involved himself with the landscape of his ancestors, the author is able to identify more closely with them and relive their experiences in his imagination more vividly.

5. How does Momaday end his essay? Why does he end it this way?

回答：

The author ends his essay with the sentence “I saw the mountain and came away.” These two actions of the narrator are significant looking back means remembering the past. Out of his exploration into the past grows an attitude of acceptance and a desire to hold on to cherished memories. Coming away indicates a determination to start afresh from Rainy Mountain with a rich heritage that will continue to have a powerful influence on the life of modern Kiowa people.

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