This summary provides an overview of Part 4 (pages 156-180) of The Rain God by Arturo Islas: 1) The chapter describes a family grieving the death of a son who was considered a revolutionary hero, though his mother saw him simply as her son. 2) It explores tensions within the family, including between Jesus Maria and her mother Mama Chona over Jesus Maria's marriage against her mother's wishes. 3) The chapter depicts Mama Chona in her final days, surrounded by her weeping children as she welcomes death, finding comfort in her faith in Jesus and his mother.

1. The Rain God
(Part 4, Pgs 156- 180)
Emily M. Van Buren & Tori

2. Family
- “After they buried him, a delegation of revolutionaries came to her
home is disguise while her husband Carlos was away to tell her they
considered her son a hero. She looked at them in rage and disbelief.
‘Keep your hero,’ she said to them at the door, ‘give me back my son”
(Islas, 163).
-“Mama, you have never loved me, I who have been a good and dutiful
daughter, except in marrying against your wishes” (Islas, 167).
- “Propped up in a strange bed in a unfamiliar and sterile room, Mama
Chona saw her children around her, weeping silently (Islas, 177).
- “No harm, Mama Chona made them believe, could ever come from
within one’s own home and family” (Islas, 163).
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55xlg-usgkM

3. Discussion Questions
1) How does Family influence one’s actions? For example, Aunt Mema
gave birth to her son Ricardo out of wedlock and put him up for
adoption upon the family’s request.
2) How do you view Mama Chona’s decision to take an illegitimate
grandchild into her home, but refusal to accept Jesus Maria’s marriage
simply because she did not approve of him.
3) “Now I think I should have murdered him, God forgive me” (Islas
168). What does this quote in particular say about how Jesus Maria
views family?

4. Religion
-“I am happy to leave this valley of tears because I know the life awaiting
will be much, much better. Please don’t cry anymore. Leave me in peace
with Jesus and His Holy Mother” (Islas, 179).
- “From then on, Mama Chona bore her children out of duty to her
husband and the Church” (Islas, 164).
- “ Afraid? Afraid of what? She had known death all her life. Her existence
had been a long dying fall. She welcomed death. Even in her imperfection,
she knew that Jesus and His Mother would take her to them and comfort
her all eternity” (Islas, 178)

5. Discussion Questions
1) From these quotes, how do you think the relationships in this book were
effected by religion. For example, Mama Chona’s relationship with Jesus
Maria and so on.
2) What religious values are held the most strongly by the characters in The
Rain God?
3) Which characters do you think valued their religion more than others?

6. Discussion Questions
Who do you believe is the Rain God?

7. References
-Islas, Arturo. The Rain God: A Desert Tale. New York: Avon, 1991. Print.
- LiveontheMinute. "Mexican Families." YouTube. YouTube, 20 Apr. 2012.
Web. 14 Feb. 2013.