1. Origins and Encounters
The Man to Send Rain Clouds

2. Build Background Pueblo groups
Settled in SW thousands of years before Spanish conquistadors in 1540.
Spanish attempted to establish a colony and convert the Pueblos to Catholicism.
Laguna people of western New Mexico are a Pueblo group.
Founded in 1699
Maintain many values and beliefs even with the influence of the outside culture
Despite being influenced by outside cultures, the Laguna have kept many of their values and beliefs. For example, they perform traditional ceremonies when a person dies because they believe that dead persons’ spirits will become Shiwanna – Cloud People – who bring the precious gift of rain.

3. Words to Know
Arroyo—deep gully cut by an intermittent stream; a dry gulch.
Mesa—a broad, flat-topped hill with cliff-like sides.
Cloister—a place devoted to religious seclusion; a monastery or convent.
Cassock—ankle-length garment worn by clergymen (close-fitting waist and sleeves).
Perverse—stubbornly opposed to what is right or reasonable; wrong-headed.

4. Cultural Information

5. “The Man to Send Rain Clouds”
Setting—Contemporary NM
Themes—Traditions/harmony
A major event, such as death, can make cultural differences seem less important. Leon and his family insist on burying his grandfather according to their ancient traditions. Their lives have been influenced by European ways, however, and they decide to incorporate a Christian element into the rite. The burial thus expresses harmony with nature, with Laguna traditions, and with the family’s white neighbors.

6. Literature Terms
Plot--Sequence of actions and events in a literary work.
Conflict—struggle between opposing forces that forms the basis of the plot
Inferences—a logical guess based on evidence.
Symbolism—person, place, or thing that stands for something beyond itself (idea/feeling)

7. A classic literary plot diagram
Allow students to fill in the blanks for each section.

8. Conflict Internal Conflict—between opposing forces within a character
External Conflict—pits a character against nature, society, or another character.
Internal conflict – Both Leon and Louise each debate whether to ask for the holy water. They don’t want Teofilo to be thirsty and they hope that he will send rain for their crops. They know holy water is not part of their own traditions, but they still want it. Ultimately, Leon does make the request.
Father Paul’s spiritual views are in conflict with his desire to serve his parishioners. He is not sure whether to grant Leon’s request. He knows that to sprinkle holy water at Teofilo’s grave violates the rules of his church, but he wants to take part in the burial because he knew and cared about the old man. It is resolved when Father Paul bends the rules of his Christian teachings to accommodate the wishes of his parishioners without violating their traditions or customs.
External Conflict – Louise’s concern that Teofilo has enough water is in conflict with Father Paul’s refusal to sprinkle holy water over Teofilo’s grave. It is resolved when Father Paul finally agrees to sprinle holy water for Teofilo.
Leon’s desire to hold a Laguna funeral for Teofilo is in conflict with Father Paul’s duty to give Teofilo a Christian burial. It is resolved when Teofilo has a traditional Laguna funeral with the Christian ritual of sprinkling holy water.

9. Inferences
What inference does Father Paul make about Teofilo from Leon’s comments when they meet the first time?
Why do you think Leon and Ken do not tell Father Paul about Teofilo’s death right away?
What can you infer about Louise from the fact that she wants Father Paul to sprinkle holy water for Teofilo?
He infers that Teofilo is still alive.
They want to avoid a conflict over what kind of funeral to have. They feared father Paul would take over the funeral and do it his way rather than theirs.
She ( and Leon) respect the Christian traditions and want to incorporate them into the funeral.

10. Symbolism
What is the symbolic meaning of the corn meal and pollen that are scattered to mark Teofilo’s death?
They represent fertility; they link Teofilo’s death to new life.