Here's why:
* Somber reflection: Momaday often reflects on the past with a sense of loss and melancholy. He mourns the passing of his Kiowa culture and the displacement his people experienced.
* Quiet reverence: He approaches his ancestors and their traditions with deep respect and a sense of awe. He sees their stories as sacred and worthy of preservation.
While the narrative does contain elements of:
* Nostalgia: There is a longing for a time when the Kiowa were free and thriving.
* Wonder: He marvels at the beauty and resilience of the natural world, especially the landscape of the Southwest.
These elements are interwoven with the overall tone of somber reflection and quiet reverence. Momaday's writing style is understated, but his emotions are deeply felt and conveyed through his carefully chosen language.
Examples from the text:
* "The Kiowas were nomadic people, and their history is a chronicle of their wanderings. ... They had come from the far north, from the shores of the Arctic Sea, where the long, cold nights held them close to the earth." (This evokes a sense of loss and the passage of time.)
* "The sun is a beautiful thing. It is like a great golden bird, and its wings are of fire." (This expresses wonder and appreciation for the natural world.)
* "When the Kiowas came to the land of the Wichita they were wandering, homeless, and hungry. The Wichita gave them food and shelter, and the Kiowas learned from them. They learned to hunt the buffalo, to live in the plains, and to worship the sun." (This shows Momaday's respect for the Kiowa's ancestors and their traditions.)