The author does this in two ways. First, Momaday establishes a context of nature in which Abel works out his problems and comes to at least the beginning of self-discovery and the peace which such identity brings. Second, the author's lyrical style gives the reader the sense that there is a power behind the character's troubles which gives sense to what seems like Abel's internal chaos.
Nevertheless, there is no certainty at the beginning of the book that the young man will indeed survive his pain. One scene typifies Abel's conflicts with respect to the clash of cultures in which he lives. His grandfather is an elder in his tribe, and symbolizes the Indian culture. Abel in this scene arrives in drunken pain, ravaged by the destructive influences of the white culture:
The door swung open and Abel stepped heavily to the
...