Gender and Sexuality In The

Rain God

By: Ayaa Elgoharry,

Prekiya Kennebrew

Arturo Islas May 25, 1938 – February

15, 1991

From El Pasto, Texas

Received three degrees

from Stanford

First Chicano in the U.S to earn a Ph.D. in English

Died from AIDs related complications

Characters

Miguel Grande- Macho, shows that men are guiltless womanizers.

Miguel Chico- Rebelled against his family traditions, First generation,

Juanita- Housewife, mother, ignores Grande mistreatments.

Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2o8osmVGRQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ca-S1ZxVrk

Male Masculinity

“His father had told him to be a man and protect his mother from the dead.” pg. 10

The idea that men are supposed to protect even when they may be scared

themselves.

“Miguel Grande would scold Maria for allowing his son to play with dolls. I don’t want my son

brought up like a girl.” pg. 15

Goes back to gender roles. Girls are supposed to play with dolls

and boys play with trucks.

Shows the fear that most heterosexual father have of their sons “turning” gay from playing with “girl”

toys or not acting in masculine ways.

“He knew he was no poet like his cousin JoEl, the most sensitive member of the family.” pg. 28Poetry is being portrayed as a sensitive form of art because it allows for the poet to express emotions and masculinity doesn`t allow men to be in touch with that side.

“Their father could be vicious in his rage and was capable of beating them severely when he drank too much.” pg. 43 This particular quote gets at violence and

masculinity and how men want to be feared. It also highlights a stereotype that Latino men

drink too much or can`t control their liquor.

Male Masculinity

cont.

Women

“You hit them to much.” pg. 39

“Who wants to read about Mexicans? We’re not glamorous enough.” pg. 41

“You’re going to remain an illiterate Mexican all your life.” pg. 42

“Devil’s daughters.” pg. 43

“They were not permitted to begin their meal until he finished his.” pg. 43

Gender Roles

1953 women gained the right to vote.

Women are now working as domestic workers, street sellers, teachers and nurses.

Women are now participating in the trade unions and social movements to improve conditions.

In a study with 735 infants from low-income, Mexican American families, the most acculturated immigrant fathers were the most involved in the childcare (Cabrera, Hannon, & Taillade, 2009). Likewise, in poor Hispanic families with fifth grade children, the higher the mother’s income, the more childcare the father provided (Coltrane, 2004)

…Discussion Time!

Is there a such thing as masculinity when it comes to death?

In the book , Miguel Chino doesn`t have the traditional viewpoint of death. He`s very inappropriate in situations about death. Most boys starting from a young age are told not to cry although they may or may not want to, how does this have an impact on their lives?

How was health perceived in The Rain God?

Miguel Chino becomes severely ill due to the lack of not properly taking care of himself. Men are seen to not go to the doctors regularly. Do you think this has anything to do with masculinity?

Discussion Time!...cont.

How does Mexicans: Pioneers of a Different Type relate to The Rain God?

Mexicans: Pioneers of a Different Type takes a look at Latinos in the United States and how they were forced to leave their homeland. In The Rain God there are areas where the characters speak very harshly of their own kind and I think it`s because when you come to America it is believed that if you don`t adopted all American cultures and neglect your own you will be ridiculed. Do you believe this to be true?

Works Cited

Nielsen, Linda. "Chapter 7." Father-daughter Relationships: Contemporary Research and Issues. New York: Routledge Academic, 2012. 213-17. Print.

Islas, Arturo. The Rain God: A Desert Tale. Palo Alto: Alexandrian, 1984. 1-53. Print.