Analysis

[Rufus]

John Chu's “The Water That Falls On You from Nowhere" had a personal experience feel to it even though it's fiction. I couldn't help to think about the character relationship between Matt and his sister. It was shown how Matt wanted to be accepted by his sister whom he always seemed to upset and disappoint. Matt coming out to his parents seemed like the last straw for her and it took a toll on Matt and affected his relationship with Gus. Matt has been told by his mother that his sister only upsets him because she wants the best for him, but is this true or is it just a way do controlling his life?

Chu's showed in this story how you have to do what's best for you and not be influenced negatively by another who thinks they have the answers for your life. Matt allowed his sisters anger towards him to effect his night with Gus, and it made him leave, not knowing if there would be a return. The Mental effect that Matt has endured with his sister kept him in limbo with Gus, until he realizes he needs to appreciate Gus more and express his love. The characters receiving a down pour of water if they were lying didn’t connect well to the story for me, but it’s what makes the story fiction.

[Justin]

John Chu's "The Water That Falls On You from Nowhere" develops the isolation of society's standards. Sitting at a table with people you love is symbolic of family in a majority of cultures. With this said, family are the ones, considered by most, that are supposed to be the people that give unconditional love, regardless of extremities. In many commercials and or movies, families eat together while all confessing either what they did that day, or any conflicts that have arisen. Matt being a part of this symbolically loving family, should be able to discuss any problems he is having without disgust from those around him. Being a child of a horrid society, his sister, puts effort to have him not discuss his relationship with Gus to his parents. She is important in the story because she represents a big portion of society that is neglectfully bigoted.

I found this story to paint a picture of love versus society. Being homosexual Matt is deemed, by his sister/ society, as less than. Having to hold in who you truly are is something that goes far beyond this story, but is becoming a real world problem. Some importance relies on the family being from an asian heritage, where the culture is very strong. This story spoke to me because it shows how light is faded with lies. Matt will not find the light in his life until he fully accepts who he is, then and just then the rain will stop.