Scott Momaday’s introductory paragraph of “The Way to Rainy Mountain” demonstrates his deep affection for the land in Oklahoma through the use of figurative language. As a member of the Kiowa tribe, he portrays a strong connection to the land, almost as if he and the land are inseparable. He begins the paragraph by painting a vivid picture of the Wichita Range, stating that “A single knoll rises out of the plain in Oklahoma.” To depict the weather, he employs exaggerated language such as “winter brings blizzards, hot tornadic winds arise in the spring, and in the summer the prairie is an anvil’s edge,” reflecting the intense and harsh nature of the climate. As a result, he illustrates that “The grass turns brittle and brown, and it cracks beneath your feet,” utilizing alliteration to enliven the stark image being portrayed. The use of alliteration adds an element of playfulness by contrasting the meaning of the words with their sound. Additionally, Momaday chooses words carefully when he states that “The steaming foliage seems to almost writhe with fire,” successfully capturing the fiery agony that the scorching weather inflicts upon the plants. Furthermore, he employs similes like “popping up like corn to sting the flesh,” which creates a juxtaposition between the cruel connotations of the words and their depiction in this passage.The author not only creates contrasts in words and meaning but also highlights the uniqueness between the people and the land. “Loneliness is an aspect of the land.”
In the plain, everything is separate; there is no mixture of objects in sight, only a single hill or tree or man. The author argues for a closer individual connection between humans and nature. Momaday beautifully compares his land in Oklahoma, which may seem undesirable to others, to Eden, the land of perfection, stating that “Your imagination comes to life, and this, you think, is where Creation was begun.” Starting with extreme weather may lead the reader to believe that he dislikes his home, but as one reads on, the author portrays it as enjoyable and playful.
