1. The document is a summary of a political fiction story about a man named Alan who returns home seemingly from the dead after being reported killed in action. His return home confuses and disturbs his parents as he is cold, silent, and not the same person he was before.
2. Strange events begin occurring around Alan, including heavy rains that seem connected to him. It is revealed that Alan and the deaths of others may be connected to an old Vietnamese legend about a "Raining Man" who enacts vengeance.
3. Alan's father investigates further and discovers connections between events surrounding Alan and deaths of his fellow Vietnam veterans' sons and the veterans themselves, linked to past acts of violence. This
This document summarizes the preface and first chapter of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Kidnapped". It introduces the main character, David Balfour, who is leaving his home in Essendean, Scotland to travel to his uncle's home, the House of Shaws, as was instructed in a letter left to him by his recently deceased father. The minister who helps send him on his way believes this could be an opportunity for David to improve his station in life. The summary establishes the setup of the story and David's uncertain but hopeful journey ahead.
This document summarizes the preface and first chapter of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Kidnapped". It introduces the main character, David Balfour, who is leaving his home in Essendean, Scotland to travel to his uncle's home, the House of Shaws, as was instructed in a letter left to him by his recently deceased father. The minister who helps send him on his way encourages David and tells him of his father's expectations that he will be welcomed and well cared for by his relatives at the House of Shaws.
The paper depicts overlapping of love, possession and greed in American play, Desire under the Elms with vivid reference. Psychological interpretation of love and of revenge is explained here grandly. The purpose of the research is to find out the Freudian psychological theory in this play. The presentation of love, sex and family relation are exposed intensely. Desire under the Elms 1924 is one of the most well known Plays of famous American dramatist of the twentieth century, Eugene O’Neill 1888 1953 . In this drama, he draws a series of notable themes of modern American literature. Abdul Awal "Desire under the Elms: A Critical Analysis" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-4 , June 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.compapers/ijtsrd42596.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.comother-scientific-research-area/other/42596/desire-under-the-elms-a-critical-analysis/abdul-awal
This summary covers chapters 1-17 of the novel. In chapter 1, Basil is painting a portrait of Dorian Gray for Harry. Dorian does not want the portrait shown publicly as it reveals his feelings. In chapter 3, Dorian is upset upon seeing the portrait as it will never age while he will. In later chapters, Dorian falls for an actress named Sibyl Vane but grows cruel towards her after her acting disappoints him. Sibyl commits suicide, and Dorian notices his portrait has changed, appearing to reflect his cruelty. Over time, as Dorian pursues a life of vice and sins, the portrait ages in his place while he remains youthful. After Basil and James Vane confront
Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is portrayed as innocent in the play "Wicked". She was born with green skin through no fault of her own, and faced neglect and secrecy in her childhood. Her relationship with Galinda shows her goodness, as she protects Galinda from harm on multiple occasions. All of Elphaba's moral choices in the play are good-natured attempts to help others. The play argues that Elphaba was wrongly blamed for wicked deeds and seen as wicked by others, when in reality she never committed any truly wicked acts and was innocent.
This document contains a summary of chapters from the book "Old Bible Characters Vol. 2" which provides analysis of the lives of Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob based on the biblical accounts. The summary focuses on Isaac and Rebekah's marriage and family. It describes Rebekah as strong-willed but her strengths leading to weaknesses as she favored Jacob and orchestrated deceiving Isaac. Isaac is portrayed as meek but with strengths of deep faith and promoting peace despite injustice. Overall it presents their lives as starting romantically but ending sadly due to Rebekah's impatience and wilfulness.
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor (American Short Story) Presen...Wafi Badji
The document provides background information on the American short story and analyzes Flannery O'Connor's short story "A Good Man is Hard to Find." It discusses the rise of the short story form in America in the 19th century. It then summarizes the plot of O'Connor's story, which follows a family driving to Florida who have a car accident and encounter an escaped convict known as The Misfit. Key characters like the grandmother and The Misfit are introduced. The story has a tragic ending involving multiple gunshots.
This document summarizes the preface and first chapter of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Kidnapped". It introduces the main character, David Balfour, who is leaving his home in Essendean, Scotland to travel to his uncle's home, the House of Shaws, as was instructed in a letter left to him by his recently deceased father. The minister who helps send him on his way believes this could be an opportunity for David to improve his station in life. The summary establishes the setup of the story and David's uncertain but hopeful journey ahead.
This document summarizes the preface and first chapter of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Kidnapped". It introduces the main character, David Balfour, who is leaving his home in Essendean, Scotland to travel to his uncle's home, the House of Shaws, as was instructed in a letter left to him by his recently deceased father. The minister who helps send him on his way encourages David and tells him of his father's expectations that he will be welcomed and well cared for by his relatives at the House of Shaws.
The paper depicts overlapping of love, possession and greed in American play, Desire under the Elms with vivid reference. Psychological interpretation of love and of revenge is explained here grandly. The purpose of the research is to find out the Freudian psychological theory in this play. The presentation of love, sex and family relation are exposed intensely. Desire under the Elms 1924 is one of the most well known Plays of famous American dramatist of the twentieth century, Eugene O’Neill 1888 1953 . In this drama, he draws a series of notable themes of modern American literature. Abdul Awal "Desire under the Elms: A Critical Analysis" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-4 , June 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.compapers/ijtsrd42596.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.comother-scientific-research-area/other/42596/desire-under-the-elms-a-critical-analysis/abdul-awal
This summary covers chapters 1-17 of the novel. In chapter 1, Basil is painting a portrait of Dorian Gray for Harry. Dorian does not want the portrait shown publicly as it reveals his feelings. In chapter 3, Dorian is upset upon seeing the portrait as it will never age while he will. In later chapters, Dorian falls for an actress named Sibyl Vane but grows cruel towards her after her acting disappoints him. Sibyl commits suicide, and Dorian notices his portrait has changed, appearing to reflect his cruelty. Over time, as Dorian pursues a life of vice and sins, the portrait ages in his place while he remains youthful. After Basil and James Vane confront
Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is portrayed as innocent in the play "Wicked". She was born with green skin through no fault of her own, and faced neglect and secrecy in her childhood. Her relationship with Galinda shows her goodness, as she protects Galinda from harm on multiple occasions. All of Elphaba's moral choices in the play are good-natured attempts to help others. The play argues that Elphaba was wrongly blamed for wicked deeds and seen as wicked by others, when in reality she never committed any truly wicked acts and was innocent.
This document contains a summary of chapters from the book "Old Bible Characters Vol. 2" which provides analysis of the lives of Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob based on the biblical accounts. The summary focuses on Isaac and Rebekah's marriage and family. It describes Rebekah as strong-willed but her strengths leading to weaknesses as she favored Jacob and orchestrated deceiving Isaac. Isaac is portrayed as meek but with strengths of deep faith and promoting peace despite injustice. Overall it presents their lives as starting romantically but ending sadly due to Rebekah's impatience and wilfulness.
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor (American Short Story) Presen...Wafi Badji
The document provides background information on the American short story and analyzes Flannery O'Connor's short story "A Good Man is Hard to Find." It discusses the rise of the short story form in America in the 19th century. It then summarizes the plot of O'Connor's story, which follows a family driving to Florida who have a car accident and encounter an escaped convict known as The Misfit. Key characters like the grandmother and The Misfit are introduced. The story has a tragic ending involving multiple gunshots.
F. Sionil Jose is a famous Filipino writer known for examining the relationship between culture and economy. The story "The God Stealer" follows an American man named Sam Christie and his Ifugao friend Philip Latak. Philip accompanies Sam to his hometown to help Sam find an Ifugao god to take back as a souvenir. However, Philip ends up stealing his grandfather's god in an attempt to repay Sam's kindness, which the villagers believe caused his grandfather's death. Sam is horrified by Philip's actions and the consequences, leaving Philip to continue making gods according to the old ways.
The document provides information about upcoming community events in Westerville, Ohio in November and December, including a historical society presentation, tree lighting ceremony, craft show, and holiday events. It also shares two short stories from patrons of the Westerville Public Library - one describing a patron's humorous search for a book that was long overdue, and the other listing staff recommendations for books and movies.
The document provides background information on American author Flannery O'Connor. It discusses her upbringing in Georgia, her education, her writing career, and her battle with lupus. It summarizes two of her short stories, "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "Good Country People", and notes that O'Connor is regarded as a master of the short story form despite her small body of work consisting of only 31 stories and 2 novels. She wrote about spiritual themes shaped by her Catholic upbringing in the Protestant South and continued writing up until her death from lupus at age 39.
1. The document appears to be a study guide containing questions about characters, events, symbols and themes in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
2. It includes 100 multiple choice and true/false questions addressing topics like characters, plot points, cultural references, settings and the overall significance of events in the novel.
3. The study guide aims to test the reader's knowledge of key information presented in Things Fall Apart and their understanding of the most important literary elements including symbols, motifs, and characters.
The document summarizes upcoming events at the Westerville Public Library, including author visits and presentations. Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, will visit on November 5th for a reception and presentation. The library will also host various Sherlock Holmes themed events in October as part of its Westerville READS program. Finally, the library is excited to welcome Gillian Flynn for what is expected to be a large author event.
The newsletter provides information about upcoming events at the Westerville Public Library and in the community in May and June 2013. It encourages readers to submit short stories or excerpts to be included in future newsletters. It describes a recent successful game of Pictionary played with residents at Friendship Village and upcoming artwork from the village to be displayed at the library. It also offers assistance for patrons interested in switching to e-readers. Staff picks highlight recommended books and movies.
The document provides a summary of the film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. It describes the key plot points including Bella getting pregnant by Edward, much to everyone's surprise. It then details her difficult pregnancy, birth of Renesmee which nearly kills Bella, Edward turning Bella into a vampire to save her, and the resulting fight between the Cullens and Jacob's wolf pack. It introduces the main characters and actors who portray them. The summary concludes by stating Breaking Dawn was released in two parts in 2011 and 2012.
This document provides an overview of the major prophets in the Old Testament, including Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah. It summarizes their key messages and stories. For example, it discusses how Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to prove whose god can produce rain, and how fire from heaven consumes Elijah's sacrifice. It also summarizes Isaiah's vision in the temple and his call to be a prophet, warning Judah of coming punishment for their sins but also providing messages of hope.
This document provides an overview of the major prophets in the Old Testament, including Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah. It summarizes their key messages and stories. For example, it describes how Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to prove whose god can produce rain, and how fire from heaven consumes Elijah's sacrifice. It also summarizes Isaiah's powerful vision in the temple that calls him to be a prophet, and his prophecies about a future ideal king who will usher in an era of peace.
The play Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O'Neill explores themes of sin, guilt, incest, and the desire to escape to idyllic South Sea islands. The play is set in a repressive society and centers around the dysfunctional Mannon family, who are all trying to escape their fates and find freedom through sex, murder, and fantasies of the carefree islands. However, their actions only lead to more destruction. In the end, all members of the Mannon family meet tragic ends as they are unable to escape the web of incestuous desires and fate that has entrapped their family for generations.
Analysis: Dead Stars by Paz Marquez BenitezSungwoonie
Alfredo Salazar was engaged to Esperanza but fell in love with Julia Salas. At their final meeting before his wedding, Julia told Alfredo to honor his commitment to Esperanza. Alfredo married Esperanza but never stopped thinking about Julia. Years later he visited Julia's hometown and found her still unmarried, realizing his love for her was just a memory.
Alfredo is engaged to Esperanza but meets Julia and falls for her. As his wedding to Esperanza approaches, Alfredo realizes he loves Julia. However, Julia urges Alfredo to honor his commitment to Esperanza. Alfredo marries Esperanza. Years later, Alfredo discovers his feelings for Julia have faded, comparing his love for her to a dead star. The story examines the responsibilities and realities of love versus fleeting passions.
textbook$ Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid (Scottish Scoundrels: Ensnared inesrubio267
- The book is a 191-page romance novel titled "Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid" written by Julie Johnstone as part of her "Scottish Scoundrels: Ensnared Hearts" series.
- The story follows free-spirited Lilias Honeyfield who believes she is meant to be with the Duke of Greybourne, though he denies their love.
- Nash Steele, the man Lilias believes is the Duke, returns to town but claims he never loved her, though he is haunted by memories of her and regrets causing a past accident.
- Unable to have Lilias, Nash flees but duty may force him to stay as Lilias faces being forced to wed another
This document summarizes a presentation on the similarities between fairy tales and Christianity. It begins with an introduction stating the topic is how G.K. Chesterton saw similarities that influenced his worldview. It then summarizes the fairy tale "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" and analyzes parallels between the story's plot points and God's relationship with Israel in the Bible. The presentation aims to show how Chesterton was influenced by fairy tales to have strong Christian faith.
Lesley's son Zac was taken by her ex-husband Jeff without her consent. Over the next two years, Lesley tirelessly searched for Zac, working with police and private investigators. She circulated photos of Zac nationwide. One lead took her to a bar in Los Angeles, where she spotted Jeff. The next day, the local paper reported that Jeff had turned Zac over to Lesley, ending her long quest to be reunited with her son.
The Youth Services area of the Westerville Library has new murals depicting recognizable Westerville landmarks like Towers Hall at Otterbein University and Emerson Magnet School. A large photo of a Westerville Fire Department truck was also added. The John E. Robbins Homework Help Center has expanded hours and more volunteers to help students. Upcoming events include author Lee Child visiting and programs around the Hunger Games movie release, Elephant and Piggie, and Willy Wonka.
The document provides an in-depth analysis of the film Pan's Labyrinth focusing on its portrayal of female development and coming of age. It discusses how the three main female characters - Ofelia, Mercedes, and Ofelia's mother - represent different stages of womanhood. Much of the film's symbolism, including its use of fairy tales, nature imagery, and menstrual references, relate to Ofelia's journey of becoming a woman. Through her tasks from the faun, Ofelia asserts her independence and rejects the passive role expected by the film's patriarchal society. In the end, her refusal to sacrifice an innocent's blood allows her to achieve immortality and be reunited with her loved ones.
Khalil Hidmi is a Jordanian national seeking a challenging position in information technology with 13 years of experience. He currently works as a Senior Application Consultant at SAAD Specialist Hospital, where he develops their hospital management information system. Prior to this, he worked as a Sales Engineer and as a Department Programming Coordinator. He has extensive experience with Oracle Reports and Forms, SQL, databases, and various programming languages and tools.
This weekly email update from RMIT Vietnam provides information on upcoming events and recent news. It announces that the RMIT Vice-Chancellor will visit the Vietnam campuses and hold staff surveys. It also promotes scholarships, international cultural events, executive training programs, and recent student achievements. Staff social events and media mentions of RMIT Vietnam are also summarized.
F. Sionil Jose is a famous Filipino writer known for examining the relationship between culture and economy. The story "The God Stealer" follows an American man named Sam Christie and his Ifugao friend Philip Latak. Philip accompanies Sam to his hometown to help Sam find an Ifugao god to take back as a souvenir. However, Philip ends up stealing his grandfather's god in an attempt to repay Sam's kindness, which the villagers believe caused his grandfather's death. Sam is horrified by Philip's actions and the consequences, leaving Philip to continue making gods according to the old ways.
The document provides information about upcoming community events in Westerville, Ohio in November and December, including a historical society presentation, tree lighting ceremony, craft show, and holiday events. It also shares two short stories from patrons of the Westerville Public Library - one describing a patron's humorous search for a book that was long overdue, and the other listing staff recommendations for books and movies.
The document provides background information on American author Flannery O'Connor. It discusses her upbringing in Georgia, her education, her writing career, and her battle with lupus. It summarizes two of her short stories, "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "Good Country People", and notes that O'Connor is regarded as a master of the short story form despite her small body of work consisting of only 31 stories and 2 novels. She wrote about spiritual themes shaped by her Catholic upbringing in the Protestant South and continued writing up until her death from lupus at age 39.
1. The document appears to be a study guide containing questions about characters, events, symbols and themes in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
2. It includes 100 multiple choice and true/false questions addressing topics like characters, plot points, cultural references, settings and the overall significance of events in the novel.
3. The study guide aims to test the reader's knowledge of key information presented in Things Fall Apart and their understanding of the most important literary elements including symbols, motifs, and characters.
The document summarizes upcoming events at the Westerville Public Library, including author visits and presentations. Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, will visit on November 5th for a reception and presentation. The library will also host various Sherlock Holmes themed events in October as part of its Westerville READS program. Finally, the library is excited to welcome Gillian Flynn for what is expected to be a large author event.
The newsletter provides information about upcoming events at the Westerville Public Library and in the community in May and June 2013. It encourages readers to submit short stories or excerpts to be included in future newsletters. It describes a recent successful game of Pictionary played with residents at Friendship Village and upcoming artwork from the village to be displayed at the library. It also offers assistance for patrons interested in switching to e-readers. Staff picks highlight recommended books and movies.
The document provides a summary of the film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. It describes the key plot points including Bella getting pregnant by Edward, much to everyone's surprise. It then details her difficult pregnancy, birth of Renesmee which nearly kills Bella, Edward turning Bella into a vampire to save her, and the resulting fight between the Cullens and Jacob's wolf pack. It introduces the main characters and actors who portray them. The summary concludes by stating Breaking Dawn was released in two parts in 2011 and 2012.
This document provides an overview of the major prophets in the Old Testament, including Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah. It summarizes their key messages and stories. For example, it discusses how Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to prove whose god can produce rain, and how fire from heaven consumes Elijah's sacrifice. It also summarizes Isaiah's vision in the temple and his call to be a prophet, warning Judah of coming punishment for their sins but also providing messages of hope.
This document provides an overview of the major prophets in the Old Testament, including Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah. It summarizes their key messages and stories. For example, it describes how Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to prove whose god can produce rain, and how fire from heaven consumes Elijah's sacrifice. It also summarizes Isaiah's powerful vision in the temple that calls him to be a prophet, and his prophecies about a future ideal king who will usher in an era of peace.
The play Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O'Neill explores themes of sin, guilt, incest, and the desire to escape to idyllic South Sea islands. The play is set in a repressive society and centers around the dysfunctional Mannon family, who are all trying to escape their fates and find freedom through sex, murder, and fantasies of the carefree islands. However, their actions only lead to more destruction. In the end, all members of the Mannon family meet tragic ends as they are unable to escape the web of incestuous desires and fate that has entrapped their family for generations.
Analysis: Dead Stars by Paz Marquez BenitezSungwoonie
Alfredo Salazar was engaged to Esperanza but fell in love with Julia Salas. At their final meeting before his wedding, Julia told Alfredo to honor his commitment to Esperanza. Alfredo married Esperanza but never stopped thinking about Julia. Years later he visited Julia's hometown and found her still unmarried, realizing his love for her was just a memory.
Alfredo is engaged to Esperanza but meets Julia and falls for her. As his wedding to Esperanza approaches, Alfredo realizes he loves Julia. However, Julia urges Alfredo to honor his commitment to Esperanza. Alfredo marries Esperanza. Years later, Alfredo discovers his feelings for Julia have faded, comparing his love for her to a dead star. The story examines the responsibilities and realities of love versus fleeting passions.
textbook$ Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid (Scottish Scoundrels: Ensnared inesrubio267
- The book is a 191-page romance novel titled "Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid" written by Julie Johnstone as part of her "Scottish Scoundrels: Ensnared Hearts" series.
- The story follows free-spirited Lilias Honeyfield who believes she is meant to be with the Duke of Greybourne, though he denies their love.
- Nash Steele, the man Lilias believes is the Duke, returns to town but claims he never loved her, though he is haunted by memories of her and regrets causing a past accident.
- Unable to have Lilias, Nash flees but duty may force him to stay as Lilias faces being forced to wed another
This document summarizes a presentation on the similarities between fairy tales and Christianity. It begins with an introduction stating the topic is how G.K. Chesterton saw similarities that influenced his worldview. It then summarizes the fairy tale "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" and analyzes parallels between the story's plot points and God's relationship with Israel in the Bible. The presentation aims to show how Chesterton was influenced by fairy tales to have strong Christian faith.
Lesley's son Zac was taken by her ex-husband Jeff without her consent. Over the next two years, Lesley tirelessly searched for Zac, working with police and private investigators. She circulated photos of Zac nationwide. One lead took her to a bar in Los Angeles, where she spotted Jeff. The next day, the local paper reported that Jeff had turned Zac over to Lesley, ending her long quest to be reunited with her son.
The Youth Services area of the Westerville Library has new murals depicting recognizable Westerville landmarks like Towers Hall at Otterbein University and Emerson Magnet School. A large photo of a Westerville Fire Department truck was also added. The John E. Robbins Homework Help Center has expanded hours and more volunteers to help students. Upcoming events include author Lee Child visiting and programs around the Hunger Games movie release, Elephant and Piggie, and Willy Wonka.
The document provides an in-depth analysis of the film Pan's Labyrinth focusing on its portrayal of female development and coming of age. It discusses how the three main female characters - Ofelia, Mercedes, and Ofelia's mother - represent different stages of womanhood. Much of the film's symbolism, including its use of fairy tales, nature imagery, and menstrual references, relate to Ofelia's journey of becoming a woman. Through her tasks from the faun, Ofelia asserts her independence and rejects the passive role expected by the film's patriarchal society. In the end, her refusal to sacrifice an innocent's blood allows her to achieve immortality and be reunited with her loved ones.
Khalil Hidmi is a Jordanian national seeking a challenging position in information technology with 13 years of experience. He currently works as a Senior Application Consultant at SAAD Specialist Hospital, where he develops their hospital management information system. Prior to this, he worked as a Sales Engineer and as a Department Programming Coordinator. He has extensive experience with Oracle Reports and Forms, SQL, databases, and various programming languages and tools.
This weekly email update from RMIT Vietnam provides information on upcoming events and recent news. It announces that the RMIT Vice-Chancellor will visit the Vietnam campuses and hold staff surveys. It also promotes scholarships, international cultural events, executive training programs, and recent student achievements. Staff social events and media mentions of RMIT Vietnam are also summarized.
El documento habla sobre las nuevas tecnologías en la educación. Explica cómo la educación ha evolucionado del uso del lápiz y papel a las computadoras y recursos multimedia. También describe la situación actual donde existe una brecha tecnológica debido al uso limitado de equipos en las escuelas. Propone cinco pasos para mejorar la integración de las tecnologías en la enseñanza como diagnosticar las habilidades de los profesores, ofrecer talleres sobre estrategias didácticas, simulaciones de clase supervisadas y re
The document lists the project managers for Tower 1 and Tower 2 as Bob Pratt and Jon Donsford respectively. It identifies the customer of the project as Tun Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The main tasks of the project are to build the highest skyscraper to put Malaysia on the world map and complete construction within the given timeframe without going over budget. The key constraints are building the foundation over decayed limestone and soft rock, and meeting the deadline set by the developer.
Trinity college dublin 2016 rethinking ressource recoveryArne Backlund
The document discusses rethinking resource recovery from wastewater by focusing on human urine as a valuable nutrient source. It provides examples of projects that recover nutrients from urine through processes like struvite precipitation and treatment with willow plants. These approaches can help close nutrient loops and reduce costs compared to conventional wastewater treatment. The document advocates for viewing human excreta as a resource rather than a waste and designing sanitation systems accordingly.
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1. 1
Raining Man
Political fiction by Julian Drury.
Edited by Gretchen Gales.
Pamphlet designed by Christine Stoddard.
The story contained in this pamphlet first appeared in
QuailBellMagazine.com. This pamphlet is free to print and
distribute under the Creative Commons License. “When we
share, everyone wins.”
8
body, engulfed with ushering wetness that leaked everywhere. A
strange wind and sound preceded him, and the rains continued to
grow stronger. It was time to fulfill the promise. Alan’s Father soon
learned, or was rather shown, that his son invoked the power of the
Raining Man once he shed the blood of the innocents. The blood of
the sons had to be paid with the blood of the fathers. The legacy of
war and massacre left a black mark, which only the Raining Man
could cleanse.
Alan’s Father was put to his knees and forced to face the deaths by
his hand. He had a debt to be paid, for the loss of his son. It was
Alan’s Father that encouraged his son to serve and go to war, just as
Gilcrist, Bill, Rob and so many others have. The father always has to
live his legacy through the son. Due to this, the blood of the lost sons
had to be paid. The rains soon engulfed Alan’s Father all around,
showers growing stronger each moment. The rains grew stronger until
Alan’s Father could feel the rain like blades, sinking deeply into his
flesh and watching as the room around him drowned in water. The
only thing Alan’s Father could see, or even comprehend, was the ever
towering power of the Raining Man. His debt was now paid.
The cause of death was drowning. Alan’s Father was found in his
son's room, lying on the otherwise dry floor. His lungs were full of
water. Alan, or who was thought to be Alan, disappeared. No trace of
him could be found. It was as if he was merely an illusion. The Army
soon cleared up its supposed mistakes, and relocated Alan’s body. It
was indeed true, Alan was dead. Alan’s Mother was left to question
whether the whole incident was a nightmare. Yet, every time she
wakes up her husband and son are both still dead. The work of the
Raining Man still persists, and will continue to enact its bound duty to
restore the balance of blood from all that create the deficits. More will
come to know the story of Raining Man soon. All will come to know
the power the Raining Man holds, and to honor the blood and lives of
those around them. Alan’s Mother certainly knows of his truth. This
was especially true as she planned the funerals of her husband and
son. She thought perhaps the two of them can be rested together.
Perhaps the funerals can be side by side, father and son, and might
even be cast under the showers of a drenching rainstorm.
Page 1Page 8
2. 7
and the issue of the Raining Man seemed to reappear in each thought
on the matter. Indeed, many issues seemed to add up more and more
toward this concept of the Raining Man and the curse he supposedly
has to bear.
Mr. Gilcrist, Bill and Rob were former soldiers. Their sons were
soldiers who suffered horrible fates during their service. It seemed the
fathers were suffering similar fates as their sons, albeit by different
means. Could an old tall tale about the Raining Man really be true?
Everything seemed to add up in that direction, but any rational person
could not lead himself to believe that such a ghost story could be true.
After all, that is all it was, a ghost story. Alan’s Father, however, soon
came to find his connection to what was happening. If Raining Man
was real, why would he manifest as his son? It was when he laid eyes
on his old Army medals again that he began to realize why he was
connected to the events. Alan’s Father had not laid eyes on his medals
in over thirty years. The medals he won for his “brave” service in
Vietnam. Those were back in 69-71. He, Bill, and Rob served in a
Huey detachment whose primary goals were what we know as search
and destroy missions. Though he, Bill, and Rob were decorated for
their duty in Vietnam, those days were days that were rather left
forgotten.
Alan’s Father’s service medals were won through acts that he would
never repeat. Looking at the medals reminded him instantly of that
savage day in 1970. The sleeping villagers had no time to flee. Two
hundred were gunned down without a single shot fired back in
defense or offense. The incident was blamed on NVA and VC troops.
Alan’s Father never wanted to remember or be associated with that
day ever again. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t associate with Bill and
Rob too much after the war. Alan’s Father tossed his murderous
medals across the floor, wondering how exactly the reemerged in they
first place. He threw them away decades ago. When he looked at
them again, all he could think of was the blasphemous legend that
spoke of balances to be paid; Raining Man.
The rains were brewing, and Alan’s Father was at last confronted
with the price he had to pay. The same price that Gilcrist, Bill and
Rob had to pay. The same price all of their sons paid. Alan, or the
image he perceived to be Alan, stood before him with the same
ominous glare. He demanded to know if he was his son. The being
only shook his head. The figure who pretended to be Alan, revealed
what it was and why it appeared the way it did. It was then that the
being revealed his true form, the form of Raining Man. A shadowy
2
The figure of Alan arrived on the steps of his parents’ house,
drenched from rain as it seemed. When his Mother saw him, standing
in silhouette at the midsection of the white-painted steps leading to
the front screen-door, she nearly fainted. She immediately dropped
her iced-tea to the floor, shattering the glass cup and leaving a
streaking puddle of sweetly concocted beverage strewn about the
floor and sliding off the marble kitchen counter. The reaction of her
husband, Alan’s Father, was much more subtle yet still riddled with
utter shock. The reason for their reactions to seeing their son on their
doorstep was for the simple reason that Alan should have been dead.
Just two days prior to Alan’s arrival, his Mother and Father received
the most dreaded notice they could have ever laid eyes upon. The
standard Army death certificate. Saying it that way makes the notice
of their son’s death in combat sound very cynical, yet that was the
way Alan’s Father described the letter. Alan’s Mother dared not even
touch the envelope the letter came in, let alone read the notice itself.
Alan died in combat near Fallujah, “with great honor” as was
described. Alan’s Father always wanted to see his son bring honor to
the family. Yet, not at the cost of his son’s life. It was the hardest
news he could have ever received, news that had no words to
describe. Yet, everything seemed upside-down the moment their son
Alan materialized at their front door, soaking wet from some
mysterious downpour.
Alan’s Mother immediately dragged her son inside, squeezing her
hands on his cold cheeks and barraging Alan with question after
question. Perhaps they weren't questions necessarily, as they
were surprised statements about the nature of Alan’s appearance.
Alan was dressed in his military fatigues, yet was not wearing any
boots or socks. His skin was slightly pale, speaking no words, only
giving a grievous stare from his sunken eyes which were also
bloodshot. As was previously mentioned, Alan was drenched from
head to toe. His uniform was completely darkened from the
drenching, and water still dripping in decent amounts from his buzz
cut head. It was as if Alan stepped in from a massive rain shower, yet
there was no rain outside. As a matter of fact, it had not rained in
town for nearly a week. Alan was completely silent, not a sound left
his lips. Even as his Mother and Father spoke to him continuously, he
gave no reply. It was as if Alan could not hear them, or that he could
hear them yet was unable to give any verbal reply.
He was immediately rested on the blue pullout couch in the living
room, set his two legs out and was continually in attempt to get his
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3. 3
son to speak to him. Alan’s Father told his wife to call 9-11
immediately, as Alan could very well have been in the midst of a
serious health problem. Suddenly cold flesh gripped the Father’s
wrist, as Alan suddenly grabbed hold. The grip was very tight, yet the
skin and flesh felt as if Alan had stepped out of a meat-freezer. His
flesh was ominously chilled, to a point that his Father questioned if
Alan was truly in the grip of life. Alan then uttered two words, words
that at first were not discernible. Alan spoke in a high whisper, with
a scratchy and deformed voice pattern. Slowly his Father understood
the words his son was saying, words that had no clear meaning yet
were repeated continuously in trance-like statements that echoed out
with a strange vibration;
“Raining Man,” Alan uttered. “Raining Man.”
The conversation that Alan’s Father and Mother had with him was, as
described by his parents, the strangest conversation ever had with
their son. In many ways, they began to slowly believe that the person
they were speaking to was not their son. His tone of voice, manner of
speaking, was all very different than how they remembered Alan
before his tour in Iraq. Alan was not the same. He wasn’t
really Alan in that sense. His Father asked him repeatedly about the
Death Notice that came in the mail, stating he had been killed in
action. His Father and Mother questioned Alan continuously,
especially after they let him rest in his old bedroom for eighteen
hours. Alan's Father and Mother wanted desperately to know how the
Army could have mistaken him for dead. All Alan replied was,
“I am dead.”
The conversation with Alan produced nothing. His parents understood
only one thing after talking with Alan; something definitely was
wrong with him. He may not have been dead physically, but the Alan
they knew was truly dead. Even when the police and psychologist
interviewed Alan, they got just as much response as his parents. To a
certain extent, Alan’s Father and Mother were very happy to see Alan
return home. They were certainly glad that they didn’t have to attend
a funeral. Alan was showered with comfort and attempted affections.
They made his bed for him, cooked for him three times a day,
basically any task to make Alan more comfortable. None of it really
seemed to change Alan’s moods. It’s not as if Alan was acting badly
towards his parents, more or less he was acting towards them at all.
Alan was often quiet and isolating of himself. This was very different
from the Alan who was once known as the neighborhood’s party
6
it seemed that some reality was being molded out of the old story.
The stories seemed to take on an even darker life, and Alan seemed to
be the direct center of the following events. Alan’s Father awoke to
find his wife screaming hysterically. She was screaming about Alan.
He soon noticed among the screaming, that it was heavily raining
outside. When he discovered why his wife was screaming, she kept
saying that Alan was “making it rain.” Alan’s Father thought she was
hysterical, urging her to calm herself. Alan sat across from her on the
couch, not making a sound. He held a horrifying look in his eyes, and
glared into the air as if he was waiting for something to happen. His
father approached him and demanded to know what was going on.
The only answer Alan gave him was, “the blood of the sons will be
paid with the blood of the fathers.”
The rain outside stopped suddenly. It just a single moment, the
entirety of the raining ceased, as if someone merely had to turn off a
faucet. In the following moments, Alan’s Father and Mother felt odd
sensations on their skin. They could feel water droplets touching
them. One by one, at first, much like a rainstorm beginning to brew.
Alan’s Father looked up to the ceiling to see water droplets forming
out of it and falling. The droplets soon evolved into a torrential pour,
inside the house. Everything was getting drenched in the supernatural
rain. Alan’s Father and Mother were utterly stunned by the indoor
storm, while Alan sat eerily still. The entire house was giving off the
downpour. Alan’s Father knew that Alan was at the center of what
was happening, and pleaded with him to make it stop. Alan eventually
complied.
Alan’s Father decided to request to see his son’s body. The Army
continued to claim that Alan was dead, so therefore there still had to
be a body. He wanted to know if the person, or thing, living in his
house was really his son. There was no body. Apparently, the body
had been labeled misplaced. He also discovered certain details about
Alan’s service, which apparently involved a rather troubling incident
in a small village under investigation for war crimes. After further
inquiries, Alan’s Father also discovered some issues about two of the
murder victims. Bill and Rob’s sons apparently suffered ill fates
during their service. Bill’s son was hit with an IED during his first
patrol, losing both of his legs and his left hand. Rob’s son killed
himself the previous year, service pistol to the mouth. To a certain
extent Alan’s Father was somewhat disappointed in himself that he
did not keep in touch with his former service buddies enough to know
the trauma’s their families faced. Now both Bill and Rob were dead,
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4. 5
whom Alan’s Father had known as Bill and Rob. They were both
Army buddies of his, and both Bill and Rob’s sons were veterans of
Iraq and Afghanistan. Both men seemed to die within a day of each
other. Cause of death for both was drowning. Both men were found in
otherwise dry environments, with their lungs full of water. Much like
the case of Mr. Gilcrist, no logical explanation could be given to the
drowning deaths. However, unlike the case of Gilcrist, an extra piece
of evidence was found on the bodies. Two words were carved into the
chests of the bodies, words that ultimately found a connection with
Alan; Raining Man.
It was when the police questioned Alan’s Father again, that some
rather odd pieces to an ominous puzzle were being put together. All
three men that were killed had a connection with Alan’s Father. They
all served in Vietnam, as their sons were serving together in Iraq or
Afghanistan. Some vain connection existed, though it was not clear at
first what that connection was aside from Army service. It was also
brought up about Raining Man, the words carved into the chests of
two of the bodies. Alan’s Father remembered what his son said the
day he reappeared. Raining Man, he remembered those words coming
from Alan’s lips. Now those words were etched in the flesh of two
dead men. Alan’s Father didn’t mention that information to the
police. He didn’t want to incriminate his son. However, Alan’s Father
had to try and understand what was happening, and why his son was
connected to it.
Alan’s Father remembered the phrase “Raining Man” from his time in
Vietnam. It is not a commonly told tale, yet was one of many stories
that were told to him during his three years attached to a Huey
helicopter regiment. He was first told the legend of Raining Man, by a
captured villager in 1970, who was suspected of being a collaborator
with the VC. He said that American actions would invoke the wrath
of the Raining Man, as the villager claimed,
“Who returns from the spirit world in the form of a dead warrior who
can summon the power of the rains to repay the debts of those who
spill youthful blood.” Supposedly, the Raining Man was once a proud
young warrior who was killed in battle during a rainstorm, and vowed
before his death that his spirit would fulfil a blood promise. He laid a
curse that he would return to “repay the blood of the sons with the
blood of the fathers.” The story went pretty much that way, not much
to elaborate on. It was just supposed to be a story, after all. The
villager was executed not long after he told the story. The Raining
Man was a story that Alan’s Father barely even remembered, yet now
4
animal before he enlisted in 2002. No affection seemed to penetrate
this dark aura surrounding Alan. His favorite meals, favorite TV
shows, none of it seemed to work. As days wound on, it became very
clear that Alan was set in some very dark attitude that could not seem
to shake itself.
Alan’s Father, an Army Veteran himself, decided to contact the Army
and try and get some information on what exactly happened to his son
in Iraq. He thought that his stint in Vietnam would give him some
leeway for information. The response given by the Army was very
odd, almost terrifying. The Army claimed that the death certificate
was not an error. Alan truly died in combat, and was confirmed to still
be dead. It was impossible. Alan’s Father continued to state that they
must be mistaken, due to the fact Alan was sitting in his living room
watching TV. The Army claimed that no error was made. How could
it be possible? What Alan’s Father and Mother didn’t understand at
the moment, was that something very powerful was at play. Alan’s
sudden reappearance was not a coincidence.
The body of Mr. Gilcrist was found lying in his bed, the cause of
death set many in a state of unease. Gilcrist was one of the many
military families that lived in the neighborhood. At least, Gilcrist was
retired military. Gilcrist’s son was also in the military, the Marines,
yet he was killed early during the Iraq War. He was the first to enter
Iraq and among the first to die. Gilcrist was never the same after his
son was killed. A depression that many believed would lead to a
suicide or at least a stress-induced early death. What made Gilcrist’s
death so bizarre was how he died. Drowning was the official cause of
death. Gilcrist was found lying still as a plank, face up and blank eyes
open. Water was in his lungs, oozing out from his semi-open mouth.
It had no rationality to it. No drop of water existed in Gilcrist’s
bedroom. Neither his bed nor sheets were wet, same for the
surrounding floor. There was no water in the bathtub, and absolutely
no sign that someone could have drowned Gilcrist in his bed.
Something was very wrong. No explanation could be given, so
Gilcrist’s death was labeled an accident.
Nothing that unfolded seemed accidental. The following events
rocked the very core of the suburban neighborhood, especially to
Alan’s parents. A cosmic deal of balance was being fulfilled, and no
one knew this or even cared to know of it. Alan knew of this. His
actions grew stranger, emotionless expressions and that sank deeply
into his face. As the days drew on Alan spoke less. As the days drew
on, more people continued to die. Two more men were found dead,
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