The Man to Send Rain Clouds: An Analysis

Leslie Marmon Silko’s “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” intricately weaves Pueblo traditions with the encroaching influence of Christianity․ The story explores the clash between cultures, the enduring strength of indigenous beliefs, and the significance of rituals in maintaining cultural identity within a changing world․

Plot Summary

“The Man to Send Rain Clouds” begins with Leon and Ken discovering Teofilo, Leon’s grandfather, deceased under a cottonwood tree while tending sheep․ They find him in his worn blue jeans and jacket․ Respecting Pueblo customs, they paint his face․ The story unfolds on a Southwestern Indian reservation with mesas and ravines․
Leon informs his wife, Louise, and they decide to incorporate traditional Pueblo burial rituals․ They plan to have Father Paul, the local Catholic priest, sprinkle holy water, blending both faiths․ The family prepares Teofilo for burial, wrapping him in a red blanket․

Leon and Ken request Father Paul’s participation․ He initially resists because Teofilo didn’t receive last rites․ However, motivated by the hope of bringing rain, Father Paul agrees․ The burial proceeds with Pueblo rituals, followed by Father Paul’s blessing․ The story concludes with a sense of harmony between the old ways and the new, emphasizing the continuity of Pueblo beliefs about rain and life after death, with the dead becoming rain clouds․ The title reflects this Pueblo belief․

Character Analysis: Teofilo

Teofilo, the elderly grandfather in Leslie Marmon Silko’s “The Man to Send Rain Clouds,” embodies the enduring strength of Pueblo tradition․ His death initiates the central conflict between traditional customs and the influence of Catholicism․ Found beneath a cottonwood tree, a sacred symbol in Pueblo culture, Teofilo represents a connection to the land and ancestral beliefs․

He is portrayed as a beloved patriarch, respected by his family and community․ Leon and Ken’s decision to honor him with traditional burial rites demonstrates their deep affection and reverence․ Teofilo’s attire, a worn blue jean jacket and jeans, suggests a simple life lived in harmony with nature․
Though deceased, Teofilo’s presence permeates the story․ He is a catalyst for the interplay between Pueblo spirituality and Christian practices․ The family’s desire to ensure his peaceful transition into the afterlife, and his transformation into a rain cloud, highlights the importance of ancestors in Pueblo cosmology․ He symbolizes the continuity of life, death, and the natural world․

Character Analysis: Leon and Ken

Leon and Ken, brothers-in-law in Leslie Marmon Silko’s “The Man to Send Rain Clouds,” serve as the primary actors in the story, navigating the delicate balance between Pueblo traditions and the encroaching influence of Christianity․ Their discovery of Teofilo’s body sets the narrative in motion, highlighting their respect for the deceased patriarch and their commitment to honoring ancestral customs․
Leon, as Teofilo’s grandson, carries a significant responsibility in ensuring the proper burial rites are observed․ He paints Teofilo’s face, a traditional practice meant to prepare the deceased for the afterlife․ Ken, supportive of Leon, aids in the preparations and demonstrates a shared understanding of Pueblo beliefs․

Both men represent a generation caught between two worlds․ They acknowledge the presence of the Catholic Church, represented by Father Paul, but ultimately prioritize their indigenous traditions․ Their actions reflect a desire to maintain cultural identity while adapting to a changing society․ They are a symbol of cultural preservation․

Themes: Cultural Conflict

“The Man to Send Rain Clouds” by Leslie Marmon Silko poignantly explores the theme of cultural conflict, specifically the tension between the Laguna Pueblo traditions and the encroaching influence of Catholicism․ This conflict is not presented as a violent clash, but rather as a subtle negotiation and adaptation between two distinct belief systems․ The story highlights the struggle of indigenous communities to maintain their cultural identity in the face of external pressures․

The interaction between Leon and Father Paul exemplifies this conflict․ While Leon seeks the priest’s blessing for Teofilo’s grave, he also ensures that traditional Pueblo rituals are performed․ Father Paul, initially resistant to incorporating indigenous practices, eventually concedes, demonstrating a degree of compromise․
Silko suggests that cultural conflict is not necessarily destructive․ Instead, it can lead to a blending of traditions, where aspects of different belief systems coexist․ The story emphasizes the resilience of Pueblo culture․ The characters subtly navigate this conflict․ They want to honor both their heritage and the dominant religion․

Themes: Tradition vs․ Modernity

In “The Man to Send Rain Clouds,” Leslie Marmon Silko explores the complex interplay between tradition and modernity within the Laguna Pueblo community․ The story portrays a society grappling with the influence of modern culture while striving to preserve its ancient customs and beliefs․ This theme is evident in the characters’ actions and attitudes toward death, ritual, and religion․
The traditional Pueblo beliefs surrounding death and the connection to rain clouds are contrasted with the Catholic practices introduced by Father Paul․ Leon and Ken’s decision to blend Pueblo rituals with a Catholic blessing highlights the negotiation between these two worlds․ The red blanket, a symbol of Pueblo heritage, juxtaposes the priest’s presence․

Silko suggests that tradition and modernity are not mutually exclusive․ The characters navigate both aspects of their lives, demonstrating an ability to adapt and integrate new elements into their existing cultural framework․ The story acknowledges the challenges faced by indigenous communities in maintaining their traditions in a rapidly changing world․ It emphasizes the resilience and adaptability of Pueblo culture․

Themes: Spirituality and Belief

“The Man to Send Rain Clouds” delves into the profound theme of spirituality and belief, showcasing the contrast and coexistence of Pueblo traditions and Catholic faith․ The story explores the characters’ deep connection to their ancestral lands, the power of ritual, and the significance of rain in their spiritual worldview;

Teofilo’s death under the cottonwood tree and the subsequent painting of his face with traditional symbols highlight the enduring Pueblo belief that the deceased return as rain clouds, bringing life and sustenance to the community․ This belief is interwoven with their reverence for nature and the cyclical relationship between life and death․

Father Paul’s presence introduces Catholic elements, creating a tension between the two belief systems․ While he initially resists performing a traditional blessing, he eventually agrees, hoping it will bring rain․ This act symbolizes a potential bridge between the two spiritual realms․ The story encourages reflection on the diverse expressions of faith and the human need for connection to something greater than oneself․

Symbolism: Rain Clouds

In Leslie Marmon Silko’s “The Man to Send Rain Clouds,” rain clouds serve as a potent symbol, deeply rooted in Pueblo spirituality and belief․ They represent not only the literal life-giving force of water in the arid landscape of the American Southwest but also the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth․

The Pueblo people believe that the spirits of the deceased return as rain clouds, continuing to nurture and sustain their community․ This belief is central to the story’s understanding of death as not an ending but a transformation into an essential element of the natural world․
When Leon and Ken find Teofilo’s body, their concern isn’t just about his passing but also about ensuring his smooth transition into the realm of rain clouds․ The rituals they perform, such as painting his face, are intended to facilitate this transformation and ensure the continuation of blessings upon the land․ Thus, rain clouds embody hope, continuity, and the enduring connection between the living and the departed․

Symbolism: The Cottonwood Tree

The cottonwood tree in Leslie Marmon Silko’s “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” functions as a rich symbol, deeply entwined with the cultural and spiritual landscape of the Laguna Pueblo people․ It is beneath this tree that Teofilo’s body is discovered, immediately imbuing it with significance․

Cottonwood trees are often associated with water sources in the arid Southwest, representing life, sustenance, and resilience․ Their presence signifies a connection to the earth and the natural world, embodying the Pueblo people’s dependence on and respect for their environment․

Furthermore, the cottonwood tree can be interpreted as a symbol of ancestral connection and historical continuity․ It stands as a silent witness to generations of Pueblo life, representing the enduring traditions and beliefs passed down through time․ By placing Teofilo’s body beneath the tree, Leon and Ken honor his connection to these traditions and acknowledge his place within the larger narrative of their people․ The tree becomes a sacred marker․

Symbolism: The Red Blanket

In “The Man to Send Rain Clouds,” the red blanket serves as a potent symbol, rich with cultural meaning and significance within the Laguna Pueblo tradition․ It is used to wrap Teofilo’s body after his death, signifying respect, honor, and a connection to ancestral heritage․ The color red itself often carries symbolic weight in Native American cultures, representing life, vitality, and spiritual power․

The red blanket can be seen as a protective shroud, safeguarding Teofilo’s spirit on its journey to the afterlife․ It embodies the love and care of his family, ensuring he is sent off with dignity and reverence․

Furthermore, the blanket represents the continuity of tradition․ By wrapping Teofilo in this culturally significant item, Leon and Ken reaffirm their commitment to Pueblo customs and beliefs, even in the face of external influences․ It symbolizes their resistance to cultural assimilation and their determination to preserve their heritage․ The blanket is a visual reminder of their identity․

Literary Devices: Setting and Mood

Leslie Marmon Silko masterfully employs setting and mood in “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” to enhance the story’s themes and emotional impact․ The story’s setting, a stark yet beautiful Native American reservation in the American Southwest, with its mesas and arroyos, shapes the characters’ lives and beliefs․ The landscape is not merely a backdrop but an integral part of their cultural identity and spiritual connection to the land․

The mood is established early on as somber and reflective, underscored by the discovery of Teofilo’s body beneath the cottonwood tree․ The author uses descriptive language to evoke a sense of quiet reverence and respect for the deceased․ The starkness of the environment mirrors the simplicity of the characters’ lives, emphasizing their deep connection to nature and tradition․
Silko contrasts the natural beauty of the setting with the intrusion of modern influences․

The Role of Father Paul

Father Paul embodies the presence of Catholicism within the Laguna Pueblo community in Leslie Marmon Silko’s “The Man to Send Rain Clouds․” He represents an external religious force that interacts with, and at times clashes against, the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Native American characters․ His role is complex, as he attempts to integrate his Christian faith with the existing customs of the Pueblo people․

Initially, Father Paul seems detached from the community’s deep-rooted traditions․ He is more concerned with performing the proper Catholic rituals, like blessing the grave, than understanding the significance of the Pueblo’s own burial practices․ However, he shows a willingness to compromise and participate in the Native American customs, illustrating an attempt to bridge the gap between two different belief systems․

Ultimately, Father Paul’s character highlights the tension between cultural preservation and religious conversion․

The Significance of Pueblo Rituals

Pueblo rituals are central to understanding “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” by Leslie Marmon Silko․ They represent the community’s deep connection to their ancestors, the land, and the spiritual world․ The story showcases how these rituals serve as a means of maintaining cultural identity in the face of external influences․

The act of painting Teofilo’s face demonstrates reverence and prepares him for his journey to becoming a rain cloud, embodying the Pueblo belief that the dead return to nourish the earth․ Wrapping the body in a red blanket symbolizes respect and provides comfort for the deceased’s spirit․

The inclusion of Father Paul in the final blessing, after the traditional rituals, highlights a negotiation between Pueblo traditions and Catholicism․ It underscores the resilience of Pueblo culture․

Close Reading Analysis and Questions

Delving into “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” requires a close examination of Silko’s literary techniques and thematic concerns․ Consider the symbolism of the rain clouds themselves․ How do they represent the Pueblo belief system and the interconnectedness of life and death? Analyze the significance of the cottonwood tree, the setting where Teofilo is found․ What does it symbolize in the context of the story?

Explore the cultural clashes evident in the interactions between Leon, Ken, and Father Paul․ How does Silko portray the tensions between Pueblo traditions and Christian beliefs? What is the role of the red blanket?

Consider questions about the role of tradition vs․ modernity in the story․