What does Rain represent?

Rain symbolizes crying and emotional catharsis within the novel. When Esau dies, it is noted on multiple occasions that Jacob was unable to cry at the funeral despite the rain. The author alludes to the purpose of the rain as a way for Jacob to shed his own tears. After the emotional development of his transformation into a father and learning to accept his son’s differences, Jacob is finally able to cry when he takes Isaac to see Esau’s grave. He is no longer forced to rely on the rain to express his emotions for him.