Subaltern Voices and Strategic Essentialism in Silko’s The Man to Send Rain Clouds

This article studies the Subaltern voices and Strategic Essentialism in Leslie Marmon Silko’s The Man to Send Rain Clouds. These concepts unveil individual voices raised against the power structures and the Pueblo characters strategically respond towards the Western’s hegemony and syncretism. There is depiction of rebellion and adaptation through Subalternity and Strategic Essentialism respectively, by the Native Americans in the short story. Leon’s effort towards securing his traditional values and cultural practices, highlights struggle towards autonomy and preservation in the text. The story depicts the uncertainty of preservation and adaptation, as characters suggest to quench the thirst of the old man through Catholic’s Holy water. This paper discloses the harms committed by the Euro-Americans to the Native American culture and the Natives' efforts to preserve their culture and to survive under the oppressive regime.