Answer:
In "The Man to Send Rain Clouds," Leslie Marmon Silko uses symbols and literary devices to highlight the cultural differences between the Catholic priest and the Pueblo people. One of the most significant symbols in the story is holy water, which the priest uses to bless the body of Teofilo, the deceased tribal elder.
Through the use of holy water, Silko illustrates the cultural divide between the Pueblo people and the Catholic Church. In Pueblo culture, rain is seen as a sacred and life-giving force, and Teofilo is honored with a traditional tribal ceremony that includes offerings of sacred cornmeal and feathers. The priest, on the other hand, uses holy water as a symbol of Catholic rituals, which the Pueblo people do not fully understand or accept.
Silko also employs literary devices, such as imagery and symbolism, to highlight the differences between the two cultures. For example, the use of the color white to describe the priest's vestments and the white clouds in the sky contrasts with the earthy tones of the Pueblo's traditional dress and the rain clouds that they hope will bring life to their crops. This contrast emphasizes the clash between the foreign religion and the traditional ways of the Pueblo people.
Furthermore, Silko uses the device of silence to convey the cultural differences between the priest and the Pueblo. The priest speaks English, a language that most of the Pueblo people do not understand, and they communicate through gestures and actions instead. This silence underscores the cultural divide between the two groups, emphasizing the difficulties of communication and understanding.
Overall, Silko's use of symbols and literary devices in "The Man to Send Rain Clouds" highlights the cultural differences between the Catholic priest and the Pueblo people. Through the use of holy water, color imagery, and the device of silence, she illustrates the clash between foreign religion and traditional ways of life.