The Question Of Rain Analysis

Unfortunate events throughout life have adverse effects on the psyche, therefore, life needs purpose and meaning. Rituals can bring order to an otherwise chaotic life, or create an environment of confusion. In Andre Dubus’ “A Father’s Story” and William Hoffman’s “The Question of Rain,” rituals help the main characters keep up appearances because of indiscretions, or preserve tradition in light of opposition. People develop everyday rituals to keep from focusing on troubles of life or to fill voids of time throughout the day. These patterns include waking up early to run two miles, watching the sun rise over the horizon while perfecting yoga poses, or praying to God at various moments throughout the day. Couples, whether married or dating, build their lives attaining understanding of each other’s needs and likes. On occasion, when they lack focus on each other and find their rituals dwindling, love and understanding also decline. In “A Father’s Story,” Luke Ripley expresses his feelings concerning his marriage. He states, “Twelve years later, I believe ritual would have healed us more quickly than the repetitious talks we had, perhaps even kept us healed” (Curtis, 1998, p. 42). First, they get a divorce. Second, she moves out …show more content…
Moreover, they are too unyielding to see the opinions of others as valuable. Their ritualistic mindset keeps them focusing on tradition in preference to listening to their peer’s opinions and views, making an effort to change their inflexible ways. In “The Question of Rain,” Wayland, the minister of a church in Virginia, receives requests from members of the congregation to hold a “Special Prayer Day for Rain” to ask God to end their draught. Not only does he not want to change the format of the entire service to appease the masses, but he also feels they should depend upon God’s divine knowledge and power to see them through this dry season. He