The following essay will examine the contrast between friendship and the construct of family in Arturo Islas’ novel "The Rain God".
In the story the reader is confronted with the comradeship between the characters Juanita and Lola. Their friendship endures a really difficult situation, Lola's adulterous affair.
Additionally, there is this construct of family which is highly dysfunctional and held together by only a few members.
The course of the narrative shows that friendship becomes of higher value than family relations.
The short essay explores this by analyzing the characters and how they are represented in relation to one another.
Table of Contents
- Essay Topic: “The Representation of Friendship in The Rain God by Arturo Islas”
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay analyzes the contrast between friendship and family in Arturo Islas' novel "The Rain God." It examines the strong bond between Juanita and Lola, which endures Miguel Grande's infidelity, and contrasts it with the dysfunctional Angel family, held together by Mama Chona. The essay argues that friendship surpasses family ties in importance.
- The contrast between friendship and family in "The Rain God"
- The enduring friendship between Juanita and Lola
- The dysfunctional Angel family and Mama Chona's role
- Juanita's character as a symbol of true friendship
- The hypocrisy and double standards of Mama Chona
Chapter Summaries
The essay begins by examining the strong friendship between Juanita and Lola, which endures Miguel Grande's adulterous affair with Lola. Juanita, a trusting and forgiving woman, chooses to prioritize her friendship with Lola over her husband's infidelity. This is contrasted with the dysfunctional Angel family, led by Mama Chona, who emphasizes family unity above all else. However, the Angel family is riddled with problems, including drug addiction, adultery, homosexuality, hypocrisy, suicide, and murder.
Juanita's true and good character is further highlighted by comparing her to her sister Nina, who is more pragmatic and less tolerant of infidelity. Juanita's unwavering loyalty to Lola, even after learning of the affair, demonstrates the strength and value of true friendship. She places her friendship above her own needs, even offering to leave her husband to Lola.
Mama Chona, the matriarchal figure, prioritizes "la casa" and the Angel family, despite its flaws. She has double standards, prejudices, and a belief in the superiority of her Spanish blood over her native Indian heritage. She criticizes family members who do not conform to her ideals, but also exhibits hypocrisy in her own actions.
Juanita, in contrast to Mama Chona, accepts everyone for who they are. She values true friendship and sees it as an equal to family. She protects her son Miguel Chico from his father's prejudices and scoffs at the Angel family's snobbish traditions.
Keywords
The key concepts and themes explored in this essay include friendship, family, betrayal, forgiveness, hypocrisy, prejudice, and the contrast between idealism and pragmatism. It examines the characters of Juanita, Lola, Miguel Grande, and Mama Chona, highlighting the different values they represent. The essay also discusses the complex dynamics within the Angel family and the significance of the novel's setting in Mexico.
- Quote paper
- Kerstin Köck (Author), 2008, Representation of Friendship in "The Rain God" by Arturo Islas, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/305759
