Question

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

His fingers were stiff, and it took him a long time to twist the lid off the holy water. Drops of water fell on the red blanket and soaked into dark icy spots. He sprinkled the grave and the water disappeared almost before it touched the dim, cold sand; it reminded him of something—he tried to remember what it was, because he thought if he could remember he might understand this. He sprinkled more water; he shook the container until it was empty, and the water fell through the light from sundown like August rain that fell while the sun was still shining, almost evaporating before it touched the wilted squash flowers.
Which statement best describes the significance of the holy water in this excerpt?
The priest hopes that the holy water will provide the Pueblo people with the water they need.
The Pueblo people embrace Christianity as the holy water is sprinkled on Teofilo’s grave.
The holy water becomes a symbol of Pueblo traditions and loses its significance as a Christian symbol.
The holy water is important to both the priest and Leon, but it is important for different reasons.

Answer 1

The holy water is important to both the priest and Leon, but it is important for different reasons.

The priest sees it as a Christian sacrament for blessing the dead; Leon and the Pueblo people interpret the sprinkling in terms of their own rain-making beliefs, linking it to traditional rituals and the hope for rain.