Looking for a Rain God The passage Looking for a Rain God tells us about life of village settlers in Africa that live off crops. The plot of the story is centered on seven-year drought that fell upon the land. While describing the way people were trying to survive, the author portrayed lifestyle of the people, roles within society and families. In my essay I will analyze male and female roles in African society of the time portrayed in the story on the basic of the given family. Having read the passage I noticed that writer is more sympathetic towards male part of the society described and interprets events from the point of male-dominated society. Authority in the given family is based on age and gender. We see that women and children are perceived inferior, are accused of all troubles and are taken advantage of. Throughout my essay I will make analysis that will demonstrate how I came to such conclusion. I will start from defining the time, geography and social environment. The described events happened in late 1950s - early 1960s in rural areas of Africa. From the story we know that this generation had been already converted into Christianity. However, the oldest people (who also held the greatest authority) remembered rituals and worship ceremonies, which pleased ancient gods. Feminism or at least equal roles in society around early 60s were present only in industrially developed countries, were women did the same work men did. Even there many women still limited fields of their occupation to mother and wife roles only. Rural Africa of those times was neither industrially developed nor socially advanced. We read “family of the old man, Mokgobja,” and conclude that he was the head of the family. Mokgobja was the oldest member of the family. Further the author names other family members, and we read “father and supporter of the family, Ramadi, who drove the donkey cart,” and see that the other male person held the next degree of authority, because he was the supporter. Obviously men had authority higher than women did, because this society lived from primitive agriculture. Men were stronger and did important and physically hard work of ploughing, which women were worse at. Thus the authority was assigned according to age and gender. Women also had their share of authority – over children. From the way the two little girls played we can assume that they contacted mostly with their mother and the mother was constantly scolding them. Thus, men did not interfere into raising children and women used their power over the kids. Women are portrayed weaker not only physically but psychologically as well. Women were the ones who broke down first when the heat was not ending and they were the ones who told the truth to police when they were asked about the graves of the children. As for the way the author presents men and women, the interesting thing is that even though the author is a woman, she still put the fault of children’s death upon the women even though it was neither their idea, nor their decision. It was the old man who recalled the ceremony of calling and pleasing the god of rain. The old man shared his memories with his youngest son, Ramadi whose “nerves were smashed by the nightly wailing of the two women.” Thus the author presents it in the way that failure of the women to control themselves, like men did, and their nightly wailing made the men to make such a decision. It would seem logical if this point of view would be presented by a male writer, but the fact that it was the opinion held by a woman tells us that the writer shares family and society roles described in the story. The way she says that men always “sat quiet and self-controlled” because “it was important for men to maintain their self-control at all times” even though their nerves were breaking too, makes the impression that she perceives men as wiser and stronger personalities, while women lack internal strength and decrease men’s sober thinking. Thus, the passage reflects not only the worldview of African society around 1960s, it also reflects the outlook of the author, whose personality must have been developed under the influence of male dominated society. It is important for readers to remember that any story can be presented from various points of view, depending on the social position, preferences and background of the author. From any written story we can gain wealth of information both on the events portrayed and on the worldview of the author. Readers must remember this author factor in order to make correct analysis and draw accurate conclusions. Bibliography Looking for a Rain God. Available: (28 February, 2006)