The Man to Send Rain Clouds - Book Report/Review Example

The story is about a Laguna-based event that she heard about in her childhood. In the story, the writer put forth the strength that makes the characters creatively combine Indian rituals with the general spirit of the law that governs the priests.The story mainly describes the death of an old man whose body was found under a tree. His relatives strongly believed that his spirit would pour rain on sprinkling water by a priest on the old man’s dead body. The following list will unveil the role of each character in the story.

Teofilo:-Teofilo is the old man who was found dead under a tree while his sheep were grazing on the valley side. This character plays the main role in the story that depicts the conflict caused during his burial ceremony. He was a Native American living in New Mexico who holds both the new and old ways. This character visually appeared as a modern person even though he very often sticks to old traditional values. Leon:-Leon is the grandson of the old man Teofilo. As he respects Christian cultural heritage and rites, he has to combine the American as well as the Indian approaches for the burial of his grandfather.

He has great pleasure in putting paintings on his dead grandfather’s face according to the custom. Leon informs his wife and others about Teofilo’s death with a few words giving the reader aware of Leon’s calm character. He requested the priest to sprinkle the holy water on the grandfather’s body in a very pleasing way that made the priest accompany him for the ceremonial function. Leon was having the belief that the spirit of the old man will send big rain clouds.Ken:-Ken is the brother-in-law of Leon and has a very small role in the story.

He also believed that the spirits could bring rain clouds. He was shown as a very helpful person to his brother-in-law.Louise:-Louise is Leon’s wife and was talking with her friend Teresa. She suggests to Leon that the grandfather should have a thirst and so better to call a priest to give holy water to quench his thirst. Her suggestion in the story is bringing up a clash with Leon’s belief.Father Paul:-Father Paul is a young catholic priest who was struggling to lead a church in New Mexico with mixed Christian cultures.

The priest had great affection towards Teofilo and he was very much aware of Teofilo’s absence in the church service. As the last rites are indispensable for a Christian burial, the priest at first refused to sprinkle holy water on the old man’s body but later sprinkles the water on the grave and thereby understands that the spirit of the law is more important than the law itself.Teresa:-Teresa, who is the friend of Louise has played only a small role in the story as a guest when the old man’s body reached home.

Also, she joined them to have their food. The story highlights the strength of Pueblo traditions that have a belief in the soul that provides rain clouds. The story tells that Father Paul refuses at first, and later decides to sprinkle holy water on the grave, honoring the Native American belief that in turn discloses how clashes of customs and traditions can be avoided by reconciliation.  The story gives us the lesson that Death is only a part of the generation cycle.