Question

Read the following excerpt from Leslie Marmon Silko's story "The Man to Send Rain Clouds."

The priest stared down at his scuffed brown loafers and the worn hem of his cassock, "For a Christian burial it
was necessary."

His voice was distant, and Leon thought that his blue eyes looked tired.

"It's O.K., Father, we just want him to have plenty of water."

The priest sank down into the green chair and picked up a glossy missionary magazine. He turned the colored pages full of lepers and pagans without looking at them.

"You know I can't do that, Leon. There should have been the Last Rites and a funeral Mass at the very least."

Leon put on his green cap and pulled the flaps down over his ears. "It's getting late, Father. I've got to go."


Which of the following statements best describes the thematic significance of this dialogue?

a.) this dialogue emphasizes the ongoing personal conflict between Leon and Father Paul.

b.) this conversation between Leon and Father Paul makes it clear that they will never come to an agreement.

c.) Leon’s and Father Paul’s differing perspectives of the situation reflect their larger cultural conflicts.

d.) Leon’s hasty exit from Father Paul’s house reflects his discomfort with the priest and Christianity.

Answer 1

c.) Leon’s and Father Paul’s differing perspectives of the situation reflect their larger cultural conflicts.

Step-by-step explanation:

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Answer 2

c.) Leon’s and Father Paul’s differing perspectives of the situation reflect their larger cultural conflicts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Leslie Marmon Silko's short story "The Man to Send Rain Clouds" is a story that depicts a cultural difference and divide between the natives and the new western religion of Christianity. The story deals with themes of differing belief systems, be it the Indian rituals or the Christian catholic rituals, and how these two cultures clash.

In the given conversation of father Paul and Leon, we can see that their desires are not the same. While Leon wanted the father to help 'send off' his dead father to the afterlife, Father Paul's desire is to help bring Leon and his family to the Christian fold.

Thus, the dialogue between the two shows the differing perspectives between the two men, reflective of their larger cultural conflicts.