What is the meaning of The Man to Send Rain Clouds?
The title “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” alludes to the Pueblo belief that the dead are associated with rain clouds. To the Pueblo, death is not the end of existence, but part of a cycle in which the human spirit returns to its source and then helps the community by returning with rain clouds.
What does the Holy Water symbolize in The Man to Send Rain Clouds?
The conflict is resolved by Leon, a grandson of Teofilo, when he requests Fr Paul to sprinkle holy water on the deceased’s body at the grave. At the same time, the sprinkling of holy water by the priest symbolizes cleansing in the Catholic Church.
What is the something that Father Paul is reminded of when the water disappears in the grave?
Drops of water fell on the red blanket and soaked into dark icy spots. He sprinkled the grave and the water disappeared almost before it touched the dim, cold sand; it reminded him of something—he tried to remember what it was, because he thought if he could remember he might understand this.
What is the climax of The Man to Send Rain Clouds?
The climax of the story occurs when Father Paul sprinkles the holy water upon the blanket-covered body. Leon feels that after the sprinkling of the holy water, “the old man could send them big thunderclouds for sure.”
What does the red blanket symbolize in the man to send rain clouds?
The ritual of sprinkling cornmeal mixed with pollen at the place of death, at the house of the deceased and the grave is meant to invoke a blessing for protection while the red blanket in which the corpse is wrapped guarded him against malignant forces as he travelled into the spiritual world (Raitt 152).
What inference can be made about Father Paul’s motives for going with Leon?
What inference can be made about Father Paul’s motives for going with Leon to sprinkle holy water on Teofilo’s grave? He hopes that Teofilo’s family will allow him to hold a funeral Mass. He hopes to integrate his beliefs into theirs as much as possible.