Question

In The Man to Send Rainclouds, what is the relationship of the two religions within the community?

Accepted Answer

In The man to Send Rainclouds by Leslie Marmon Silko there is an complex and uneasy relationship between the traditional Pueblo Indian religion and the Catholic religion. On the one hand, the individuals in the opposing religions--for they are opposing in theology as well as in practice--respect each other. The Pueblo Indians even go so far as to see benefit in the rituals of the Catholic religion, though the Catholic priest, Father Paul, has more reservations. He is unhappy when Teofilo, who died under a cottonwood tree, is given a traditional Pueblo funeral from which Catholic Last Rites have been omitted. At the funeral, in a vivid demonstration of the tolerance with which the Pueblo Indians view the Catholic religion, while Teofilo is wrapped in his Pueblo red blanket with face painted so he will be recognized on the other side of living, it is eagerly suggested that Father Paul, who is among the attendees, should sprinkle Teofilo with Holy Water. Demonstrating the uneasy relationship between the two religions, Father Paul first declines and then suspiciously agrees and very tentatively moves forward to do the sprinkling. Further depicting that Pueblo Indians are more tolerant than the representative of Catholicism, Leon exclaims that now that Teofilo is sprinkled with Holy Water, they'll surely have huge summer rain clouds, which alludes to Pueblo beliefs that the dead return and bring rain clouds for the Pueblo crops. This is assuredly an idea in direct opposition to Catholicism and yet Leon's happy idea sprang from the addition of Catholic Holy Water to Teofilo's traditional Pueblo funeral.

Answer

The traditional faith of the Pueblo people and the Catholicism of the Spanish people who have moved into the area are very different religions. However, the people who follow each faith respect the other people and their traditions even though they don't understand them. There is mutual kindness and space to practice each of their own traditions, even if they find the other traditions strange or unnecessary.
One of the major places where the religions in the story disagree is over who sends the rainclouds. In the Catholic faith, God is the one God, who controls everything. Only he can create and send rainclouds. For the Pueblo people, however, their dead loved ones have a hand in sending the rain to their people.
When Teofilo dies, his grandsons don't want Father Paul and his Catholic traditions involved in his burial. They want him to have a traditional Pueblo ceremony. When Louise suggests letting Father Paul sprinkle holy water on Teofilo, however, they agree to it—but not the Last Rites or Mass. They're sure that with the holy water, Teofilo won't be thirsty.
Once the holy water has been sprinkled and the burial is done, Leon is happy. He believes that Teofilo will send them rainclouds now. This shows how the two religions can work together and continue having a peaceful community.

Answer

Though the two religions in the book present a stark contrast of ideals and culture, they maintain a cold reverence for one another.  The indigenous Pueblo group shows respect towards the Catholic newcomers, but refuses to convert to the religion of the settlers.  The Catholics, as well, show care for the Pueblo people, but attempt to evangelize to and convert them throughout the story.
The funeral scene is a prime example of this contrast as the two religions both attempt to give their blessing over Teofilo's body.  The Pueblo people wrap him in cloth painted with a face on it so that he will be recognized in the afterlife, while the Catholic priest anoints him with holy water.  The two clans are respectful of each others' practices, and the priest is even pleased when the Pueblo people accept the holy water as a blessing, in spite of their belief that it will bring rain to the people.

Answer

This novel presents an interesting dichotomy of religion. The traditional Pueblo people are very suspicious and wary of the Catholic faith that has invaded their land. However, each group of people respects the other—in spite of their religious and cultural differences. Particularly in light of the evangelistic attempts at conversion, the Pueblo people are particularly respectful even though their faith is being challenged in front of them.
This is particularly poignant and clear during the funeral for Teofilo. The ceremony is a traditional Pueblo one, with provisions for the afterlife and an omission of Catholic burial rites. However, at the eleventh hour, the priest is asked to sprinkle the body with holy water. He does so reluctantly, and the villagers are happy with this result, and insist that it will bring rain to their village—a decidedly not-Catholic interpretation of the event. However, both sides are pleased with the acceptance from the other.

The Man to Send Rainclouds by Leslie Marmon Silko

In The Man to Send Rainclouds, what is the relationship of the two religions within the community?

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