Question

Read the following excerpt from Leslie Marmon Silko’s story "The Man to Send Rain Clouds." "What did you say? I didn't hear you." "I said that I had been thinking about something." "About what?” "About the priest sprinkling holy water for Grandpa. So he won't be so thirsty." What does this dialogue reveal about Louise?
a. She follows some of the spiritual ideas of the Pueblo people.
b. She is a devout follower of the Catholic Church.
c. She often turns to Father Paul for support and guidance.
d. She wants Teofilo to receive his last rites from Father Paul.

Answer 1

The right answer is the A: She follows some of the spiritual ideas of the Pueblo people. Although sprinkling holy water is used in Roman Catholic ceremonies, for instance on a coffin during a funeral, Louise is relating it to, or interpreting it according to, one of the traditions of Pueblo burial rites: that of placing plenty of food and water in the graves so the deceased people don't feel hungry or thirsty during their journey to the afterlife. The members of the Laguna Pueblo reservation, protagonists of this story, sprinkle cornmeal, pollen, and other substances on dead persons and graves as a form of blessing. After Louise's comment, Leon approaches the priest and asks him if we could bring the holy water to the graveyard. The priest opposes at first, since he would have preferred a Christian burial for Teofilo, but he finally agrees to do it. He sprinkles the water on Teofilo's corpse until the jar is empty. After the ceremony, Leon is satisfied, since he believes that if Teofilo is provided with plenty of water he will be able to send rain, and this will ensure a good harvest.

Answer 2

Letter A 100 percent