In the short story "The Man to Send Rain Clouds," the title character, an old Pueblo Indian named Teofilo, serves as a symbol of cultural continuity and the enduring traditions of his people. Teofilo is described as a "hale and hearty" man who is respected by the members of his community for his wisdom and his ability to communicate with the spirits.
One of the central symbols in the story is the rain, which is seen as a gift from the spirits and a source of life for the Pueblo people. Teofilo is said to be the man chosen by the spirits to bring the rain, and he performs a ritual dance in order to ask for their blessing and bring the needed moisture to the land.
Another important symbol in the story is the kiva, a sacred underground chamber where the Pueblo people conduct their religious ceremonies. The kiva serves as a symbol of the spiritual connection that the Pueblo people have with their ancestors and the natural world. It is in the kiva that Teofilo performs his rain dance, and it is also where he is found dead at the end of the story, surrounded by the symbols of his people's traditions.
The character of Father Paul, a Catholic priest, serves as a symbol of the clash between traditional Native American beliefs and the imposed religion of the European colonizers. Father Paul tries to convert the Pueblo people to Catholicism, but his efforts are met with resistance from Teofilo and the other members of the community. Despite his efforts, Father Paul is unable to fully understand or appreciate the spiritual traditions of the Pueblo people, and his inability to connect with them serves as a metaphor for the larger cultural divide between the two groups.
In the end, Teofilo's death serves as a symbol of the passing of an era and the end of a way of life. His body is found surrounded by the symbols of his people's traditions, suggesting that even in death, he remains connected to the spiritual world and the cultural practices of his ancestors.
Overall, the symbolism in "The Man to Send Rain Clouds" serves to highlight the enduring traditions and spiritual beliefs of the Pueblo people, as well as the cultural divide between them and the European colonizers. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the enduring strength of traditional ways of life.