Dance Hall of the Dead
What is the theme in Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman?

Asked by
bookragstutor
Last updated by
Cat
Culture and tradition are amajor themes in this book. The story's protagonist, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, spends a lot of time reflecting on the value of culture and tradition during the course of his investigation into a Zuni boy's murder. Leaphorn experiences a subtle level of discrimination from the clannish Zuni because of his Navajo background. Leaphorn even admits to having a minor inferiority complex about the Zusi, whom he admires despite their feelings about Navajos. In ancient times, Zuni tribal initiations actually involved scalping a Navajo.