Study questions for The Rain God - Essay Example

1. Why does Islas preface his novel with the quote from the Chilean poet pablo neruda in your, make reference to the novel's The works of both Neruda and Islas are linked by the preface of The Rain God. Neruda wrote a poem called "The Heights of Macchu Picchu". 'The Heights of Macchu Picchu' is a poem of ascension, a common poetic device in religious poetry that can also be seen in Dante's 'Divine Comedy'. However this is not a religious poem, but rather, a spiritual one. In a similar way to Dante's poem, the 'I' in the poem represents not just the poet, but also the Common Man.

Which is parallels the motive of Islas and the theme found in The Rain God. The preface of book says "I come to speak through your dead mouths. /Give me silence, water, hope./Give me struggle, iron, volcanoes. / Fasten your bodies to me like magnets. /Hasten to my veins, to my mouth. / Speak through my words and by blood.Inspired by Neruda's poetric skills, Islas gives expressive voice to the dead, and retrieves the ghosts of a family and extended families from the oblivion of unrecorded history2.

Discuss the relationship between Miguel Chico and his father, Miguel grande.The relationship between father and son is tense because the father has an affair with his son's girlfriend. He does not believe in the traditional family structure since he did not get married although the family wants him to. He was always told by his father to be a man, but he is very sensitve and intelligent. Miguel Chico did not at all turn out the way his father wants him to be. He is not at all a dominat man or a patriarch.

He is completely different from his father. His and his family thinks Miguel may be a homesexual because he does not conform to the normal family values3. Discuss the relationship between Lola and Juanita.Juanita is the wife of Miguel grande. She is a wife and mother. She trusts her husband completely and allows him to make all the decisions. Miguel cheats on Juanite.Nevertheless at some point he can not take the feelings of guilt anymore and he confesses his affaire with Lola to Juanita. Even in this situation Juanita does not think about her pain, but makes sure his pride as a man is not hurt.

Although Juanita wanted a direct confrontation with Lola and Miguel, this confrontation did not happen for a long time because "He wouldn't allow it".4. Discuss the relationship between the sisters juanita and ninaNina's father is a conservative and vicious person. He even beats his daughters when he drinks too much. Because Nina's mother died giving birth to her, her father is the only one who educates Nina and her sister Juanita. So there's nobody to protect the sisters from his anger. One day, Nina can't stand to see him beating her sister and tries to strike him.

After Nina's attack, her father never touched them again. Nina continues to live with the constant fear of her punishment. She hates her father, so she doesn't shed one tear at his deathbed and laughs about his last words, "Behave yourselves." Nina is a rebellious person who demands freedom and fights for it.5. Discuss the significance of the monster(and the nightmate) in the final chapter of the novel.In the novel The Rain God, Arturo Islas creates the monster, in the nightmare, to represent the figurative closet of the gay man.

The monster is gone by the end of the novel. This is because Miguel has come to terms with his sexuality, has found his true self, and is prepared to continue his life.6. Discuss Islas' treatment of homosexuality in the novel.The homosexuals Felix and presumably Miguel Chico as well form a particular group within the novel. When it comes to homosexuals, some people do not only seem to be prejudiced against them, but Miguel Grande, for example, feels that being homosexual is something shameful and disgusting.

For him, a homosexual could never be a real man. The brother of Felix almost seems to think that being homosexual and acting this out is a crime. This gets clear, when he does not want to make Felix's murder public. Miguel's brother was killed when he tried to convince a young soldier to sleep with him. The last big social group is formed by those trying to live like Americans. Here, the members of the Angel family have different opinions as well. Miguel Grande, on the one hand, admires the American way of life and the American dream has worked for him as he tries to buy a house and have a prestigious job.

On the other hand, there is Felix, who sometimes calls the Americans "stupid gringos". This shows that he does not approve of their lifestyle.7.Consider Miguel Chico's motivation for telling the stories of his familyMiguel Chico's tells stories of his family because it a way in which people can pass personal history along to their children. This is a way in which to keep family members, and experiences alive and in the memories of everyone involved. He brings the dead to life through his stories just as the author of the book does in this novel.8.How has Miguel Chico's family shaped his identityMiguel identity is shaped by his family.

He observes his family's relationships and vows never to be like them. Therefore, he actively works to be atypical and non-traditional. He chooses not to marry, and he works to be what he considers a better man than his father who is very dominating. 9.Consider mama chona;s influence on Miguel chico. also consider how maria influenced him as wellMama chona's was a dominating force in Miguel life. She is responsible for raising his father who dominates the entire family. He finds no love, softeness, or tenderness with Mama chona.

Maria, Miguel's nursemaid, is not educated, she seems to be a lower class Mexican as well. Still, she is wise enough to figure out what Miguel Chico needs. Therefore, Maria is able to teach him about joy, religion and love.10. what is miguel chico's role within his familyMiguel chico's role in the family is that of outcast. He is completely different from everyone in his family and, in the end, his family has love for him anyway. Beyond that he is the memory holder. He creates a verbal story book about his family's past, present, and future.

He is the reason that the family name and memory wil live on.11. Analyze the relationship between felix and joelFelix gets to know her in school and feels great passion for her. Although his feeling cools when JoEl is born, he cannot deny her anything. He still feels tenderness towards her, but on the other hand, he knows that he injures her by having sexual affairs with other men.Felix and JoEl sleep together in one bed until JoEl is ten years old. They lie together in a "timeless embrace", and Felix develops protective feelings for his son that surprise him, as they are stronger than his love for Angie.

When JoEl starts going to school, he retreats from Felix and thus creates a barrier between them. Felix reacts to this by often punishing JoEl although he loves him, and is too proud to apologize to him. Therefore, they argue very often. After Felix's death, however, JoEl starts taking drugs and seems to lose his mind. This is a sign of Joel's love for Felix, a love he was not able to show.12. do you sympathize with miguel grande why or why notMiguel grande is a victim has time, his culture, and his gender.

I do feel bad for him because he can not escape the society norms which pressure him into being a dominating male that is supposed to dominate everything and everyone in its path. I feel bad that his bias has blocked him from having a real and truthful relationship with anyone especially his wife and children. 13. What is the them of the novel rain GodThe theme of the Rain God is that acceptance. It is the acceptance of the people you love and are close with even if they are flawed and have problems.

Acceptance of yourself, even if you are different than your family and culture. It is through acceptance that people can find their own way in the world and through this they can find happiness.14.Analyze the novel's title.The Rain God is someone who brings the rain to droughted lands. The Rain God brings life to the dead. This is the role that Miguel chico plays in the book by telling stories about his family and keeping their memories alive.