Question

the priest stared down at his scuffed brown loafers and the worn hem of his cassock. \for a christian burial it was necessary.\

his voice was distant, and leon thought that his blue eyes looked tired.

\its o.k., father, we just want him to have plenty of water.\

the priest sank down into the green chair and picked up a glossy missionary magazine. he turned the colored pages full of lepers and pagans without looking at them.

\you know i cant do that, leon. there should have been the last rites and a funeral mass at the very least.\

based on this excerpt, what can be inferred about father pauls feelings?

he secretly feels frustrated that leon and the pueblo people hold on to their traditional beliefs.
he hopes to convince the pueblo people to convert from their traditional beliefs to christianity.
he is upset because he is unable to stand up to leons demands and manipulations.
he is discouraged because leon does not view the holy water as a holy symbol.

Explanation:

Analyze the character interactions

Using the Pueblo Literature Analysis knowledge point, this excerpt is from Leslie Marmon Silko's short story "The Man to Send Rain Clouds." The dialogue highlights a cultural disconnect between Father Paul (the Catholic priest) and Leon (a Pueblo man). Leon wants holy water to sprinkle on his grandfather's grave so he "won't be thirsty," viewing the water through a traditional Pueblo lens of bringing rain. Father Paul, however, views holy water strictly as a Christian sacrament tied to the Last Rites and a funeral Mass.

Infer Father Paul's feelings

Using the Literary Inference knowledge point, we look at Father Paul's reactions: he looks down at his "scuffed brown loafers," his eyes look "tired," and he sighs that "there should have been the Last Rites and a funeral Mass at the very least." When Leon says they just want the grandfather to "have plenty of water," Father Paul is discouraged because Leon does not view the holy water as a sacred Christian symbol, but rather as a practical, traditional Pueblo offering for rain.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: There is no evidence of "secret frustration" or resentment about them holding onto traditional beliefs; rather, he is saddened by the lack of Christian ritual.
• Option 2: The text does not show him actively hoping or planning to convert them in this moment.
• Option 3: Leon is not manipulating or demanding; he is making a simple, polite request.
• Option 4: Father Paul is discouraged because Leon treats the holy water as literal water for the deceased rather than a holy Christian symbol. This directly matches his tired, reluctant demeanor.

Answer:

• He secretly feels frustrated that Leon and the Pueblo people hold on to their traditional beliefs.
• He hopes to convince the Pueblo people to convert from their traditional beliefs to Christianity.
• He is upset because he is unable to stand up to Leon's demands and manipulations.
• He is discouraged because Leon does not view the holy water as a holy symbol. (Correct answer)