1

Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Rationale of the Study

Literature is viewed as a written or a printed literary creation in a particular

realm on a certain period, moreover, it is an accurate replica of life which mirrors
mans emotions, his little triumphs and tragedies, his successes and failures. This
adage may be regarded as clich, but it cannot be denied that literature really
describes a specific milieu, which has the power to relieve the innermost
dilemmas of man that later heartens him to have a better understanding of his
own, as well as his fellows weaknesses and strengths.
Consequently, a well written work of art may serve as inspiration
to someone, who may be a political leader, a great thinker, a layman
or an ordinary student, so he may be able to care every creature he
comes across with ,preserves it, nurtures it and gives importance to
it. In like manner, literature has that special fragment to serve, which
strongly holds the entire attention of the world in preserving solidarity,
universal brotherhood, and alliance among nations. All the aforementioned advantages of literature are embodied in the different literary
genres which could be considered suitable reasons why over the past
few years, the teaching of literature as a subject has always been a
part of the curriculum in all educational institutions all over the world.
In the Philippines, the Department of Education through the
Commission of Higher Education (CHED), in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722 , otherwise known as
the Higher Education Act of 1994, mandates that there should be at
least one or two literature subjects that should be integrated in every
degree program being implemented as part of all baccalaureate degree
programs in all Higher Education Institutions (HEI), (Bascara ix).
Said two literature subjects are The Literatures of the Philippines
and Literatures of the World, following the CHEDs aim of letting the
students become more responsive to the demands of the next millennium.
The countless literary pieces made by various remarkable authors which
are often discussed and studied in literature subjects, have special objects to

2
serve in learning literature, and not just by giving pleasure to the readers.
Through the writers myriad expressions of mans striking and genuine thought
which are reflected in the notable works of different writers, the readers
imaginations are challenged, ignited and even tickled. That is why readers of
different ages learn to appreciate the peculiar literary wealth of every writer. The
well-crafted literary write-ups are finely created by award-winning play-wrights
who are thought about as perennial associates of literature. These writers are the
instruments in the outpouring of the inmost views and feelings of the human
race.
Indeed, there are a lot of prolific authors who have their individual uniqueness, especially in their style and technique in writing.
Oftentimes, the central focus of their work is man, his feelings, his
culture, his traditions, his beliefs, his idiosyncrasies, even his history.
They use varied theories in their selections in order to make a deeper
appeal to the readers. According to J. A. Galdon, the writer has been
a unifier and conscience of the human race. He has been a breeder of
ideas and even of revolution. He has been a legislator, a prophet, a
link to tradition and a forerunner of the future (Knickerbocker et al 3).
Admittedly, literary works, specifically short stories are created,
studied, in addition, well-selected, to make them more fascinating
thrilling and whimsical to every reader of all ages, in all walks of life.
But, to the young generation of today, as observed by some language
teachers, reading ,analyzing and appreciating literary selections
are hard for them to do because of the coming up of modern
technologies and gadgets, such as computers , cell phones, tablets,
play station portable (PSP), x-box, netbook, Ipod and many more.
Added to them are those that are activated in the computer which
are skype, facebook, blog ,instagram, on-line games and others.
Noted from a parents comment in a PTA meeting, students should
always be reminded by the teachers and parents themselves when to
use high- technology gadgets because these computer-based
technologies sometimes steal the attention and eat most of the time
of the youths. As a result, most students do not exert much effort in
reading and in analyzing some selections assigned to them, and if
they do so, everything is haphazardly done. In the end, loving
and enjoying the authors workmanship together with appreciating
the peculiar characters of the hero or heroine usually written in some
stories and novels, are no longer considered. Added to this, is the

3
copy-paste technique by some students, as observed by some
teachers. Every time assignments are given, such as making
interpretations and analyses on some literary pieces, wide-ranging
websites are just clicked and there appear varied analyses as well as
interpretations ready to be copied .All the answers are duplicated
without even checking if said responses and replies are correct
or not.
Juxtapose to the issues on literary interpretations and analyses, there are
also

problems that come across inside the classroom. Sometimes in the

discussion of some literary selections, the explanations become too mechanical.

This scenario is common among traditional teachers who do not challenge to
desiccate the tender wits of the students, so what happens is, instead of loving
and appreciating literature, they dislike it (Roseburg xii).
Hence, this research is compelled to clear out some issues on how to
analyze and appreciate literary works particularly the short story genre.
Furthermore, this aims to fill in some gaps to some weak and insubstantial
literary knowledge of some students, by gently showing and exposing to them the
splendour and majesty of literature and by means of presenting an example of a
critique. Also, this intends to investigate and compare the finest works of two
notable Filipino authors, Nicomedes M. Joaquin a.k.a .Quijano de Manila and
Francisco Sionil Jose, a.k.a. F. Sionil Jose, applying the comparative literary
multicritique.
Theoretical Backgroundof the Study
This study theorizes that the short stories of Nick Joaquin and
F. Sionil Jose are comparative multicritically.
Also,this research argument is supported by the literal critical
theories of mimesis, expressivism ,formalism and affectivism.
The Mimetic Theory. Mimetic theory is a theory emphasizing the
actuality imitated in the artwork (quoted in Holman and Harmon 305).
This is used in the study to identify how the characters in the story
imitated the reality of life. Its categorical approaches are Platonic

4
Mimesis, Aristotelian Mimesis, Archetypal Mimesis and Marxist
Mimesis. As regards to its signification, the signifier is literary text and
nature and those being signified are idea, reality and life. Its dominant
ideas and ethos of the era is imitation (Adams 2 ).
Platos belief as elucidated by (Adams 3), mimesis is viewed to
be a copy of a copy of reality. Reality refers to ideas which are perceived in the appearance of objects, which the writer uses verbally in
his creative texts. That is why the writer who is restricted to imitating
the realm of appearances, makes more copies of realities and his
creation is thus twice removed from reality . Also, when the writer
writes, he is possessed by dementia or madness and he is not in
control of himself ( Adams 3).
The Theory of Expressivism. Expressivism is defined as a term
which designates a theory that holds the object of the artist to be the
expression of the artists emotions, impressions or beliefs; an essential
doctrine of the romantic critics (quoted in Holman and Harmon196).
This is used in the study to distinguish the presence of the writer in
the story. Similarly, this suggests about the expression of the
authors inner being in a literary work. As to its categorical approach,
it is psychological or psycho-analytical or even biographical criticism,
which include the authors experiences and his personality. This concerns about
writers viewpoint as a prototype of the era. This approach is
sometimes termed as the writers presence.
Moreover, expressivism considers text in terms of what the
author wants to express. It is therefore the expression of the authors
inner being and it delves into the ideas of creative spontaneity, preference of feeling over rationality, the individual part over the general,
the psychology of the author emerging as subject for study, and inquiry into the merger between the nature of textuality and the nature
of every writer (Adams 4).
Additionally, (Adams 4) elucidates that the interpretive textual
processing in expressivism focuses on examining into the authors
race, moment and milieu. It also delves in relating with the authors
religion, family, education political meanings, including the writers
sickness.
Objective Theory. This theory is called as the New Criticism
Theory, Formalistic or Structural Theory where the literary work is
done internally through its verbal structure that is communicating a
sense of reality. Its correspondence and coherence theories are
formalism, textuality and intertextuality. The literary text of this theory
is language in which the dominant element is internality.
In addition, objectivism is a critical term applied by M.H. Abrams
(qtd. in Adams 2) as the view that holds the literary work to be the
most significant as an object in itself, independent to the facts of its
composition, the actuality it imitates, its authors intended intention,
or the effect it produces on its audience as (quoted in Holman and

5
Harmon 343). This is applied in the study to examine the internality or
structure of the literary work.
Likewise in objectivism, the reader or the critic faces the task of
examining the literary works internality or structure, and of communicating a sense of its textual unity, hence called by many names such
as genre study, signification study ,formalism, textuality,
intertextuality, metatextuality, organism and new criticism.
The Affectivism Theory. Affectivism theory is also termed as
Readers Response Theory or Post-Modern Criticism. This refers to a
term used in contemporary criticism to describe the error of judging a
work of art in terms of its results, especially its emotional effect
(quoted in Holman and Harmon 6). This is used in the study to
pinpoint the appeal of the stories. In this theory, the audience/reader
finds the freedom to assess the work and interpret it in his own
experience and attitudes to the world. Along its categorical
approaches are theories of moral betterment, scientific learning,
hedonistic pleasure, psychic therapy, and catharsis of unpleasant
emotion. The signifier of the literary text is the reader as signified by
the readers experience and reaction. Here, the general taste of the
audience is readership and public of the era which is receptionreaction.
According to Adams (3) reader-response could be of moral
betterment, scientific or other learning, psychic therapy, hedonistic
pleasure, catharsis of unpleasant emotions, sublime transport, aesthetic emotion of detached contemplation.
In affectivism or reader-response theory, every reader has the
freedom to assess the coherence of the writers work and interpret this
in the light of ones own experience and logical attitude to the world
within the textual parameters created by the writer of the text.

In reading, analyzing as well as in doing comparative multicritique

on the different craftsmanship of any authors, literary theories are the
main criteria that are often used, for the reason that every textual
analysis arranges the reader-author textual communication transaction
(Adams1). Likewise, Adams (2) asserts that in applying textual reading
the reader does have a face-to-face encounter with the author, trying
in coming alive mentally in multidimensional orientations.

The short stories of Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose are comparative
multicritically

MIMESIS
FORMALISM

EXPRESSIVISM
AFFECTIVISM
NICK

JOAQUINS

THREE

SELECT

F. S.of
F SIONIL JOSES
Signification
Reality
THREE
Writers Presence
Dominant Structural
SELECT
Element
Readers SHE
SHORT

SHORT
Figure 1. A Schematic Presentation of the Theoretical
Background of the Study.
STORIES
Problem Statement
STORIES
This study investigates the comparative multi critical dimensions of Nick
Joaquins May Day Eve, Summer Solstice, Three Generations vis--vis

with

Francisco Sionil Joses The Gods Stealer, The Refugee and The Forest.
Specifically, the comparative analysis of the three paired-off textualities
focuses on the following aspects:
1. signification of reality;
2. writers presence;
3. dominant structural element; and
4. readers significant human experience.

Significance of the Study

This study which uses the descriptive-qualitative analysis is important to:
Students. They will be provided with the schema on how the select stories
of Nick Joaquin and F.Sionil Jose are compared and analyzed using the multidimensional aspects of criticism.
Literature Teachers. This will serve as an important source of information
about literary analysis as well as interpretation of literary pieces using literary
theories.
Readers. This will help them satiate their longing for some additional
information regarding literary analysis.
Literary Enthusiasts. This study will provide an added appreciation and
love for reading.
Future researchers. This will be a motivating factor to conduct a similar
study and use this paper as their reference.
Scope and Limitations
This study is focused on the comparative multicritical analysis of the select
short stories of Nick Joaquin which are May Day Eve, Summer Solstice, Three
Generations with the short stories of F. S. Jose namely The Gods Stealer, The
Refugee and The Forest.
The comparative critical analysis is limited to the parallel elements of the
signification of reality, the writers presence, the dominant structural element and
the reader significant human experience using the literary critical theories of
mimesis, formalism, expressivism and affectivism.
Definition of Terms
To have a clearer understanding of this study, the following terms are
operationally defined:

8
Characters are the people in the story who reveal motivation, and do all
the actions (Bascara 15).
Comparative refers to any rhetorical figure that sets forth the figure of
similarity or contrast between one person or thing or another.
Critique is a way of employing different types of criticisms supported with
established authoritative text of a literary work.
Expressivist theory is a term used by M. H. Abrams that designs a
theory which holds the object of the artist to be the expression of the artists
emotions ,impressions and beliefs.
Fiction refers to a narrative writing drawn from the imagination of the
author rather than from history and facts.
Formalistic approaches is also called pure or literary approach. The
selection is read and viewed intrinsically or for itself independent of authors age
and any extrinsic factor.
Intertextuality denotes to a text which can be construed as a system of
signs which refers only to itself and not to any reality outside the confines of
itself or the general system of texts to which it may belong.
Literary is an adjective relating to concerned with or characteristics of
literature, or something scholarly by work (Collins Dictionary).
Literature includes poetry ,drama ,fiction, and non-fiction, oral or written
dramatic and broadcast compositions, not necessary preserved in a written
format, such as films, and television programs.
Mimetic theory is a theory emphasizing the actual imitation in the art work.
Multicritique

denotes to employing a number of criticisms in identifying

the extent of the textuality of a certain work of art applying the different literary
genres.

9
Plot is the selection of events based on relevance and ordering of
action to reveal exposition, complication ,leading to crisis- turn-reversal and
the resolution which leads to the denouement and ending (Bascara 5).
Point of View according to Bascara (15), allows readers to see what the
author wants

them

to see. It is a device of

selectiveness, limitation, and

distancing. This has of different kinds such as first person observer or participant,
third person omniscient or panoramic or as a limited observer.
Prose is any spoken or written language as in ordinary usage,
distinguished from poetry by its lack of marked metrical structure (Collins
Dictionary).
Readers Response Theory is also called as impressionistic approach
or reaction-response theory. The students are asked to react or respond to
anything viewed intrinsically ,or for itself independent of the authors age or any
extrinsic factor as well as the striking original expression of craftsmanship.
Readings refer to a thorough study of techniques of illumination that are
comprised in the text.
Setting as defined by Bascara (15) refers to the scene or atmosphere or
a locale or a feeling which invites meanings. It has four functions: setting as
idea, as symbol, as atmosphere, and as motive.
Short Story is prose narrative that usually does not

exceed twelve

thousand words which tells the authors feelings on some human experience
(Connolly 5).
Style according to Steck-Vaugh in GED (78) is the term in which the
writers choose and use words. In addition, it has a formal style and is usually
serious, unlike the informal style which is more relaxed and often sounds like a
casual speech.

10
Bascara (16) adds that style implies control of material through devices.
Moreover, it is regarded as the central idea in literature.
Symbolism refers to the designation of something concrete and something
valuable. T.S Eliot regards it as object.
Textual Analysis/Criticism is a branch of literary criticism that

seeks to

establish the authoritative craftsmanship of a literary work.

Theme is the central or dominating idea in a work. It is the abstract
concept that is made concrete through its representation in person, action, and
image in the work (Holman and Harmon 502).
Theories as defined by Collins Dictionary refer to a system of rules,
procedure, and assumption used to produce a result.

Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED READINGS
This chapter

synthesizes

the

ideational

relationship and textual

supports of literary critiques and papers.

Related Literature Reviewed
Some related literatures and papers are hereby reviewed.
On Short Story.
In his amplification of what a short story is about and on what a short story
does, Connolly (5) explains that a short story is a prose narrative that usually
does not exceed twelve thousand words that tell about what the author feels
concerning some human experience, more it links a distinct impression, a vision,
a meaning that the writer feels important and valuable. The source of the
writers vision is buried deep in his personal life, and depends in large part

11
upon his native sensibility, his acquired education and his acquired character.
But, the vision, as the reader comes to know it, is the meaning conveyed in the
story and the authors underlying idea.
Knickerbocker et al., (7) also contend that every good story is shaped by a
controlling theme or idea.The controlling theme selects and arranges everything
that goes into the story- the character, the plot, the setting, and the conflict, the
point of view, the style and symbolism. All that could intensify the total meaning
of the story are used by the writer.
On Plot ,or the Structure of Actions
Knickerbocker et al., (8) affirm that the word plot has been used to
indicate almost any kind of action found in a story including the closed plot, the
open plot, and the straight narrative, with little or
Generally, whatever means that is used to

no serious complication.

dramatize the writers purpose is

called plot or the structure of actions.

Similarly, Bascara (15) stresses that plot is the selection of events based
on relevance and suggestiveness, ordering of action to

reveal exposition,

complication leading to crisis-turn-reversal, and the resolution which leads to

the denouement or ending.
On Characters
Connolly (9 ) claims that a truly realized character is something which is
more than an agent of the plot or an instrument of the point of view or an object
of observation. Added to it , he says that a character creates the illusion of life.
He is a credible human being, a created personality, and the reason for the
vitality of the literary character in the art.
Additionally, Bascara (15) points out that character is a sense of physical
presence of people in the round fully fleshed and with inner life. Further,

12
characters reveal motivation, flower in action, act or acted upon, and exhibit
growth, change or deterioration.

On Point of View
According to Bascara (15), point of view allows readers to see what
the author wants

them to see. It is therefore, a device of selectiveness,

limitation, verisimilitude and distancing which are of different kinds such as 1st
person, either as observer or participant, 3 rd person , omniscient or panoramic or
as limited omniscient.
On Setting
Bascara (15) said setting denotes a scene or atmosphere or a fixed
locale or a feeling which invites meanings. It has four functions: setting as
idea, as symbol, as atmosphere, and as motive.
On Symbolism, Style, and Theme
In addition ,Bascara (16) claims that symbolism epitomizes designation
of something intangible and valuable. T.S.Eliot regards it as object correlative
or a verbal shorthand to convey meaning or moral.
Steck-Vaughn in GED (178) states that style is the term for

writers

choice and use of words. A formal style uses general standard, informal style is
more relaxed and often sounds like a casual speech.
While Bascara (16) tells that style implies control of material through
different devices , a theme is considered as the idea of a certain literary
piece such as short story.
On Literature and Its Critical Approaches
Literature gains force from the university of the thought, and appeal. It is
true that it speaks through the printed page just as painting speaks in grammar
of color, light, and shadow. But the printed works are only a medium. The true
meaning of literature is found in the fact that it deals with the ideals, thoughts

13
and emotions of man. It has assumed its paper role by not limiting itself to the
insignificant or ephemeral, but by handling the constituent factors of life and the
great passion of man that are of lasting interest. Intense love, sorrow, hatred,
joy, exultation, sympathy, revenge, jealousy, strength and weakness-all these are
seized upon by seeing artist to convey his impression of life,
(Castillo & Medina 3).
Trilling (2) affirms that the study of literature in general often, regards with
a view to introducing the student to an art that he perhaps thinks of as a
remote from his interest in order to develop the activity of consciousness and
response.
Connoly (7) opines that literature has indeed expressed this meaningful
world for some two thousand years. He further stresses that in literature, man
has learned to admire Homers heroes and to sympathize with Sophocles
slaughtered giants, to laugh with Chaucer at human folly, to scorn evil with
Milton, to sigh with Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, to join at fools with Pope, to
reason passionately with Dr. Johnson and to idle profitable with Charles Lamb.
In like manner, Bascara (33) claims that since literature is a formulation of
mans inner life ,any man who reads literature will learn to contemplate himself
and in the process can control and refine his inward experiences. She further
stresses ,that an avid student of literature, which at present is getting to be a
contemporary vanishing breed, can educate his feeling- an area that is always
neglected in the holistic or humanistic concept of college education.

14
Consequently, David Daiches (4) contends in his book Critical Approaches
to Literature, that literature is a complex phenomenon, since different aspects of
which are seen and emphasized by different ages. Literary criticism concerns
itself with several questions concerning the nature of imaginative literature, and
in logical sense should be preceded with some other questions.
Literary criticism is one of the three distinguishable yet overlapping fields
of inquiry which is bravely used today to encompass any discourse in literature.
In the methods of criticism, away with its functions, literary works may be
described merely to communicate some idea of their content or effect, (Grolier
Encyclopedia of Knowledge 33).
Tiempo (1) articulates that the heart of critical interpretation is critical
reading. Furthermore, he stresses on how one can see a piece of work and
develop the tools to do so.
Daiches (37) further conveys that literary criticism remains an art, not a
science and the critic who tries to reduce his practice following a rigid scientific
method, runs the risk of letting the true vitality of the work of literature elude him
and his readers. The truth that the critic can know about a work, and precisely
communicate, is a part of the larger truth he can only suggest. And a literary critic
without a fully developed technique and suggestion is like a music critic trained
only in acoustics. Besides, he apprises that the study of literary criticism is
properly the study of technique and illumination.
Binfield (2) supports that readers of literature just do not read literature
because not all literature are similar. Poetry is not read in a way that a prose is
read. To understand the different literary techniques there is a need to read

15
the literary techniques or devices specific to the genre of the work based on the
discernment of meaning of the devices employed in a particular genre. More,
genre and technique help a reader acquire vocabulary that enables one to read
literature with an understanding of technique.
Related Studies Reviewed
Some related critiques are hereby reviewed.
Requierons paper delved on the critico-analytical study of the short story
of F. Sionil Jose anthologized in his The God Stealer and other Stories. It
applied the descriptive-appreciative approach and the critico-analytical method
confined on the analysis of incidents contained in Joses short stories. She
focused on the technique used by Jose in her presentation of the theme while
unfolding the plot. Moreover, she entailed intellectual analysis and discussion of
the stories to be able to conceptualize and understand the story better. First, she
presented the synopsis of every story, analyzed each, identified and expounded
every single piece of it and looked for its relevance to the field of literary pursuit.
Findings revealed that F. S. Joses stories are confronted to the conventional
method of plot development and she concluded that Joses works

had

contributed much in enriching the teaching of literature in English.

On the other hand, Bustos focused on the strategies in the teaching of
selected short stories of Nick Joaquin to develop students multiple intelligences.
She tried to determine the multiple intelligences that could be applied in the
teaching of English using the short stories of Nick

Joaquin. Further she

developed lessons or outlines that could help her in the teaching of literary
works. Her findings revealed that the literary works of Joaquin could be used as
sources of information in developing the multi-intelligences of students.

16
While Costelo made a critical-analysis of the social theme reflected in F.S.
Joses short stories . The intrinsic and extrinsic approaches of literature were
employed in her study to get the thematic possibilities and the artistic device
used to depict the themes of the stories. Findings revealed that Joses writings
reflected societal conditions that he observed around him. He tried to represent
the voice of the people who are poor and oppressed. Furthermore, F.S. Joses
stories anthologized in the Platinum, mirrored the problems and plights of the
common people in the Philippine setting.
Parallel to this, Cobita studied the themes of literary techniques in the
selected works of Robert Penn Warren, where she undertook an analysis of the
themes and literary techniques in order to develop a teachers guide. Also, she
took into account the narrative element or the storyline of the moral of the poems
for the purpose of acquiring awareness of their surface realities or the events
and situations without paraphrase in analysis. Added to this, she identified the
themes of the novels and those of the poems of Warren. She expounded and
discussed their literary devices as used by the author. She stated in her findings
that Warrens selected works are true to life and they exceedingly touched
mans innermost feelings that had even gone through the recesses of mans
emotion in their fidelity to life and nature.
Banagbanags study analyzed Filipino short stories in English during the
American Period and the Contemporary Times, using descriptive-qualitative,
applying textual analysis. He listed down euphemisms, examined the content of
their usage guided by the face theory, Grices co-cooperative principle relevance
theory and politeness. Also, he categorized the euphemisms under word

17
formation, phonetic modification and semantic innovation. His findings showed
that majority of the euphemisms were from the stories written in the
Contemporary Period and American Period. Majority of the euphemisms were
descriptions of people used to enhance good relationships. The four major
categories of euphemism formations were all represented on the samples
collected, but the very common device was an implication

that expressions

which were common during the contemporary period and the euphemisms that
were found in the short stories written by Filipino authors, both during

the

American and Contemporary Periods ,scrutinized the culture of the Filipinos.

While the study of Magan inspected Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet,
Hamlet and Macbeth, according to the benchmarks set by Aristotle for an ideal
tragedy stated in his treaties poetics written in 350 B.C. The study of Magan
blended language and literature in qualitative research design. The descriptiveanalytical textual analysis was used pointing on whether the character, thought,
plot, diction and spectacle melody requirement that Aristotle had set for the finest
tragedy were achieved in the plays of Shakespeare which were being studied.
Her findings revealed that the plays Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth
trailed the hallmarks of tragedy proposed by Aristotle in his Poetics.
On the other hand, Sevillas study explored on the critico-analytic method.
It involved the determination of various incidents portrayed in the novel and in the
analysis of the characters, setting, plot, point of view, theme, literary devices and
the language used in each novel. An analysis of the theme was done from the
standpoint of the various expository devices used in the novel as well as the
structure of the plot, and the conflict situation presented. Her findings exposed

18
that the writer was so observant and placed her observations into writing. It could
be concluded that the authors write-ups are reflections of her experiences, and
the stories that she had written portrayed people whom she had heard about.
The characters in her stories resemble actual people from the elite class and how
they struggled to be where they are. She further stressed that being in a
conventional society is difficult because one is expected to observe the social
standards, otherwise, one becomes the object of humiliation and criticism.
A critical analysis was employed in the study of Alosbanos which centered
on the dominant themes of Waywaya: Eleven Filipino Short Stories of F. Sionil
Jose. She established that there are six major themes that run through all of the
six short stories. These are the theme of moral loosenes, the theme of quest, the
theme of the dislocated man, the theme of the irony of life ,the theme of love and
its various ramifications and theme of rebellion. Her findings revealed that the
eleven short stories, spoke about the ingredients of misery which painted a
graveyard of reality where ethics or morality seemed regularly buried.
On the other hand, Aleta evaluated O Henrys The Four Million .She
used the descriptive-qualitative study in analyzing the techniques used by O
Henry especially in the handling of the plot. from her findings, she stressed that
O Henrys stories express the effect of coincidence on character through humor
whether grim or ironic.

The twists of circumstances were used to achieve

surprised endings, which made the story appealing, easy, familiar yet technically
compact.
Within the matrix of these related critiques and papers, this study is
conducted.

19

Chapter 3
LITERARY RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter discusses the literary comparative multicritique on the
craftsmanship of two remarkable Filipino authors Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil
Jose, applying the critical theories of Mimesis, Expressivism, Formalism and
Affectivism.
Literary Research Method
This research employs the qualitative design applying the comparative
literary multicritique

on the works of

two outstanding Filipino authors Nick

Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose. The literary critical

theories

such as Mimesis,

Expressivism , Formalism, and Affectivism are used.

According to Padua and de Guzman ( ) Descriptive Comparative
Study aims to establish significant similarities and differences between two or
more groups of subjects in the basis of a certain measure and no attempts to
control the effects of extraneous factors are made.
Sources of Verbal Data
In comparing Nick Joaquins literary pieces with F.Sionil Joses works
applying the literary multicritique, the researcher performed the following:
In-depth readings of the short stories of Nick Joaquin such as:

The

Summer Solstice, May Day Eve, and Three Generations, in relation with the
readings of F. Sionil Joses The Gods Stealer, The Refugee and The Forest.
This is followed with the appraisals of their authors respective biographies, then

20
their works are compared using the critical literary theories : mimesis,
expressivism, formalism and affectivism.
Multicritique is used while studying and analyzing each of their
craftsmanship. In like manner, the critical theories of literature are employed
such as the signification of reality, the writers presence, the dominant structural
element, and the readers significant human experience.
In showing how the multicritique is applied, four phases of data gathering
procedure are shown using sample matrices. Phase one is about the signification
of reality, phase two concerns with the writers presence, phase three deals with
the writers personal experiences and the last phase tells about the readers
significant human experience.
Verbal Data Gathering Procedure
First, this research makes use of books containing the select stories of
Nick Joaquin namely May Day Eve, Summer Solstice, and Three Generations
with that of F. Sionil Joses The God Stealer, The Refugee and The Forest. This
is followed with in-depth readings of the stories as well as the biographies of the
authors.
The verbal-data gathering proceeds in four phases of data-generation
using these sample matrices, as follows:
Phase One: Signification of Reality uses this sample descriptive table to
generate the verbal response to sub problem one. This table shows the parallel
realities signified in the stories of Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose.
Table 1
COMPARATIVE SIGNIFICATION OF REALITY

21

Nick Joaquins Short

Stories

Parallel Realities
Signified

F. Sionil Joses Short Stories

Phase Two : Writers Presence uses this sample descriptive table in order to
generate the verbal response to sub-problem two. This table shows the writers
parallel expressions or their personal experiences signified in the select
select stories of Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose.
Table 2
COMPARATIVE WRITERS PRESENCE

Nick Joaquins Short

Stories

Parallel Writers Personal

experience Signified

F. Sionil Joses Short

Stories

22

]
Phase Three: Dominant Structural Element uses this sample descriptive table in
response to sub problem three. This table shows the parallel structural elements
of the select stories of Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose.
Table 3
COMPARATIVE STRUCTURAL ELEMENT

Nick Joaquins Short

Stories

Parallel Structural
Elements Signified

F.Sionil Joses Short Stories

23

Phase Four:

Readers Significant Human Experience uses this sample

descriptive table to respond to sub problem four. This table shows the readers
response or the readers significant human experience who happens to be she.
Table 4
COMPARATIVE SIGNIFICANT HUMAN EXPERIENCE
Parallel Structural
Nick
Stories

Joaquins

Short

Human Experience
Signified

F.Sionil Joses Short Stories

24
Chapter 4
RESEARCH FINDINGS
This chapter presents the findings of the study on the works of Nick
Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose using comparative multicritique.
Comparative Signification of Reality
Concealed hatred towards a loved one.
The nature or reality being copied by the text employs mimetic critical
theory which according to Plato is a copy of a copy of reality. This is added with
Aristotles conviction that the writer imitates reality by taking a form of idea from
nature and reshapes it in different matter or medium.
During the critical reading of the stories May Day Eve and Three
Generations written by Nick Joaquin together with F. Sionil Joses The God
Stealer, The Refugee and The Forest, the parallel reality that is found out
is concealed hatred towards a loved one .
In May Day Eve, Dona Agueda hates Don Badoy and Don Badoy hates
his wife Agueda too, but their hatred is concealed deep down their hearts, the
bitterness of the couple is revealed in the way they address each other. Agueda
calls her husband a devil while Badoy calls his wife a witch. This is supported by
the sentence, I saw the devil, words being uttered by Dona Agueda while
conversing with her daughter.
On the other hand, Don Badoy, reminds her grandson Voltaire to refrain
from searching his future wife on the mirror for he might see a witch like what he
saw many years ago. He even describes the witch vividly and bitterly, like an
emotional vampire, he says, she bewitched me, she tortured me, she ate my
heart and drunk my blood.
The story copies the reality of a hostile relationship but remains entombed
for the sake of the children. Also the union has to be preserved because to a

25
conservative and close knit family or clan, a broken bow is a taboo , thats why
everything should be curtained no matter what is behind. Such kind of situation
still prevails today.
In the story Three Generations, Celo Monzons hatred towards his father
started when he was a little boy. The hidden grudge against his father remains
constant due to the repeated paternal whip he receives, more, to the two or three
concubines his father has

in which he is aware of ,amidst the sorrow and

heartache of his beloved mother.

Such situations, like beatings of the father among the members of the
family, especially the children and the husbands womanizing attitude are still
common today. Patriarchal family could still be found in all corners of the world
whether among the elite or poor families. Fathers or husbands, as heads of the
family, claim to be the masters while wives and children have to bow down to the
absolute dominion of their authority.
While on the works of F. Sionil Jose, the reading assumes that the reality
on concealed hatred towards a loved one is also signified in the God Stealer,
as exposed in the mantled grudge of Sadek, Philip Lataks elder brother. It is
noticed in his brothers sarcastic greetings, you decided to visit us after all. I
thought the city had won you so completely that you have forgotten this humble
place and its people.
This kind of attitude shown by Sadek is very familiar among rural folks
and natives.

People in the barrios mostly in far flung barangays, especially

among the elderly, feel insecure and hurt every time a member of their family or
clan leaves their place and choose to stay in the city, for they feel, that their
culture, traditions and native place are disowned.

26
In The Refugee, camouflaged hatred is seen in the action of the two
women who became the girlfriends of the protagonist. First is when Ligaya, the
first girlfriend, silently leaves him because of his continuous taking of drugs while
on Sueh Chings part is on the event which is revealed in the sentence, she is
bright and young and it is possible that she may yet be the mistress of the rich
business man- if she just learns to use more lipstick. Man-talk conversation in
which Sueh Ching overheard that made her feels being fooled and cheated, so
without further ado she leaves.
The occurrence is still happening today especially among those guys who
are obviously proud and egoistic men who do not want to accept that they are in
love. And on the part of the women, it is true that even though love still exists, but
once the ego is injured ,girls definitely go away from their lovers.
In The Forest the woman who gets pregnant from a lieutenant but the
later does not want to marry her because their marriage would be an obstruction
to his social position and career, and instead convinces the girl to abort the child,
but the pregnant girl prefers to jump up a cliff and dies.
This incident portrays ulterior hatred of the woman against the lieutenant
who impregnated her. Her disgust and frustration lead her to death.
Such scenario is supported with the critical theory of mimesis since in real
life there are still people who commit suicide when they feel the world tumbles
down on them, that hope is nowhere to find and everything is unbearable.
Presence of superstitious beliefs and ritual practices
In Summer Solstice believing in the possession of the spirit of the
Tadtarin and honouring her with wild dances are both a superstition and a pagan
ritual. In like manner, the celebration of St. Johns feast day has a mixture of

27
pagan rituals. It is shown during the parade wherein men are dressed up like
women walking in wet clothes and shouting while doing the procession.
Joaquins May Day Eve also expresses superstitious beliefs and ritual
practices through the action of Agueda when she looks herself at the mirror on
that mid-evening of May while reciting the incantation, mirror, mirror show to me
him whose woman I will be.
While in The God Stealer superstitious beliefs and ritual practices are
revealed in the actions of the old man, Philip Lataks grandfather. The old man
kneels slowly while pouring the living, frothy blood on the idols head at the same
time reciting a prayer.
Superstitions and ritual practices are still being practised nowadays.
Ingrained feeling of remorse
Ingrained feeling of remorse is seen in Joaquins May Day Eve, when
Don Badoy

already an old man, while his wife is dead, is noticed in the

sentence, Maytime memories of an old ,old love for an old man shaking with
sobs by the window, the bowed old man sobbing so bitterly at the window.
In the same way, Philip Latak , in The God Stealer decides not to return
to the city again after the death of his grandfather, instead he is seen in his Gstring suit again and he is in the process of replacing the old Ifugao idol by
chiselling a new one
The situations are mimetic in nature since the incidents still happen today.
In May Day Eve ,it is true that there are marriages which are trapped by the
norm of the people. That there is no real love in between them because they just
take the bow due to the decision of the parents and only a flaring of passion is
present between them which is a material to a disastrous marriage.

28
In The God Stealer there are people who leave their native places to
search for greener pasture but eventually they go back to their hometowns and
once again embrace the customs and traditions of their place.
Insecurity
The feeling of insecurity is the parallel reality signified in the :Summer
Solstice and The Refugee. In the story of Jose The Refugee., the central
character moves from one girl to another but, still he has no permanent
relationship. This is supported by the statement He feels inadequate and
insecure and fears that all the good he had been would be taken away not by any
man but by the time itself.
Correspondingly, in the Summer Solstice, Don Paeng is seen with an
stereotype notion of masculinity ,someone who is superior to his wife and
children but in reality weak and even willing to bow down to the desires of his
wife .
Mimetic theory is manifested here for the reason that insecurity is truly
present among men but just camouflaged by their manly physique, voice and
action.
Violence
The critical reading theorizes that violence is true in the story The Three
Generations, since the constant paternal whip being received by Celo Monzon
signifies violence. Moreover, the women or concubines of the old Monzon are
also subject to whipping every time they commit mistakes.
Similarly, the story The Forest also expresses violence in the different
incidents caused by war.

29
Such events are mimetic because today there are fathers or heads of the
family who are womanizers and when they get tired and suffocated, they tend to
whip their children as a sign of disciplining them even for no reason at all.
With regard to F. Sionil Joses The Forest ,violence, hostility, brutality
are evident in war.
Womens Liberation
The reading assumes that Joaquins Summer Solstice shows liberated
women represented by Amada, where she does what she wants to do in their
abode like screaming and shouting , also by staying in bed naked already late in
the morning.
In The Refugee, womens lib is made known through the ways of the two
women, Ligaya and Sueh Ching. The two decided to leave their lover without
getting worried about their situations that of being used and abused by the
person they had loved who had shattered their chastity.
This is true today because women now are more practical. They even
agree with live-in relationship so that there would be no string attach when the
relationship goes wrong.
Longing for Peace
Longing for peace of the characters in the stories Three Generations and
The Forest is the parallel reality being signified. Celo Monzon longs for peace
in their family since he was a child. This is supported by the statement in page 33
which states Peace, he thought, peace of mind, of body; he had been praying
for that all his life.
In The Forest war has no peace, everything is chaotic, everything is a
disaster. The characters in the story thirst for peace because of the dilemma
they face.
Table 1
Comparative Signification of Reality

30

NICK JOAQUINS

PARALLEL REALITIES

F. SIONIL JOSES

SHORT STORIES

SIGNIFIED

SHORT STORIES

May Day Eve

Concealed hatred towards a love

one

The God Stealer

The Refugee
The Forest

May Day Eve

Three Generations

Presence of Superstitious Beliefs

and Ritual Practices

The God Stealer

May Day Eve

Ingrained feeling of remorse

The God Stealer

Summer Solstice

Insecurity

The Refugee

Three Generations

Violence

The Forest

Summer Solstice

Womens Liberation

The Forest

Three Generation

Longing for peace

The Forest

Comparative Writers Presence

Glorification of Cultural Traditions
The critical reading assumes that Nick Joaquins May Day Eve and F.
Sionil Joses The God Stealer show glorification of cultural traditions expressed
by themselves. Joaquin mentions the presence merrymaking by drinking punch
and brandy coupled with dances of polka and waltz.
This critical proposition is supported by the theory of expressivism giving
the expression of the writers inner being. Nick Joaquin was born in Manila where

31
he extremely had a happy childhood. Merrymaking and gathering of friends and
members of their family were common to them; in fact, he loved drinking beer
while exchanging ideas with friends and associates.
In like manner, The God Stealer talks about the friendship that was
developed between a Filipino and an American, between the colonized and the
colonizers. F. Sionil Jose expresses his own experience on his work especially
when he himself was befriended by some Americans, more so when his books
were accepted and admired by foreigners especially the descendants of Uncle
Sam.
Frustration of Dreams
Nick Joaquins Three Generations speaks about the writers feelings of
dreaming to be a priest. The character Chitong stands in his vocation amidst
the dislike of his father. The theory of expressivism shows the dream of the writer
to become a priest by staying at St. Albert College for two years as a seminarian
but later on he came out. His experiences are manifested in the persona of
Chitong where he has his sympathy with regard to the tough experiences of
Chitong in fulfilling his dream of becoming a priest.
In like manner, F. Sionil Joses The Forest where the incidents were
based on his experiences when he served in the medical unit of the US first
corporation in Laguna. His being a medical attendant prompted him to study
medicine at UST but he did not make it.
Presence of Religious Elements
This critical reading assumes that the work of Nick Joaquin such as May
Day Eve and Three Generations suggest the presence of religious elements.
It is emphasized that the presence of St. John during his feast day, the
mentioning of the Dominican religious and the going to church to say a prayer.

32
These all reveal how Nick Joaquin loves God and the call of God must have
been a lingering echo in his life.
In The God Stealer of F. Sionil Jose, there is the presence of the god of
harvest, the mentioning of Reverend Father Doone and Christianity. All these
already explain that he the author believes in God.
Showing Importance to Culture
Nick Joaquin reveals his love of Spanish culture through his works. This is
evident in his stories May Day Eve and Summer Solstice in the

use of

Spanish words such as Guardia Sereno, Alas Dose, Don and Dona. Similarly, in
Nick Joaquins Summer Solstice, there is the mentioning of Don and Dona too,
fiestas, coach and carriage.
`
On the part of F. Sionil Jose, he gives importance to Filipino culture. He
often presents a rural place with cogon, bushes, and fragrant flowers. In his work
The God Stealer, he gives importance to Ifugao culture where he too is familiar
with considering that he is from Pangasinan.
Table 2
Comparative Writers Presence
NICK JOAQUINS
SHORT STORIES

PARALLEL WRITERS
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
SIGNIFIED

May Day Eve

F. SIONIL JOSES
SHORT STORIES

The God Stealer

Glorification of Cultural Tradition

Three Generations

The God Stealer

Frustration of Dreams

33

Three Generations
Summer Solstice

May Day Eve

Summer Solstice

The God Stealer

Presence of Religious Elements

Showing Importance to Culture

The God Stealer

Comparative Structural Element

Parallel Structural Element - Symbolism
This critical reading suggests that Nick Joaquins short stories titled May
Day Eve, Summer Solstice, and Three Generations use symbolism as its
formalistic structural element. In May Day Eve, the prominent symbolic applied
by the author are the mirror, candle, watchman, devil and the witch. The mirror
conveys self admiration, pride and vanity. The candle when lighted symbolizes a
ray of hope on Aguedas part that someday she would find her beloved husband
and become a fulfilled and happy wife. On the contrary, when the lighted candle
dies, everything becomes dark like the union of Badoy and Agueda. Another
symbol is the watchman who stands as the time keeper who reminds the time
alas doce, which signifies a day time memory of an old, old, and futile
relationship.
Moreover, the witch and the devil are addresses given to Agueda and
Badoy which symbolize their hidden rage against each other.
In the Summer Solstice, Amada, the big half-naked woman conveys an
icon of feminism, while Guido stands for an educated man, a pagan believer and
obsessed with womens beauty and feminity. Don Paeng is a picture of men
dominion over their wives but in reality weak and willing to be slaves of women.

34
Also the presence of St. John and the Tadtarin stand for paganism over
Christianity, while in Three Generations the title itself depicts a family with
different beliefs and ideologies.
F. Sionil Joses structural elements found in the stories are parallel to that
of Joaquins stories because in the God Stealer, the title signifies complexity
and tragedy accompanying Filipino relationship with other people. Like the name
Philip Latak which stands for the Filipino or the Philippines , and Sam Christie
which means, Uncle Sam or the United States of America.
In the story The Forest, the protagonist tells about the grass in the forest
which sometimes are denuded but goes back to its being a forest again. Like
war, liberation triumphs in the end.
In like manner, the critical reading conveys that another structural element
that is evident in the stories of Joaquin and Sionil Jose is flashback. The stories
titled May Day Eve and Three Generations do not have incident which are
chronologically arranged, rather insertions of occurrences are found which recall
previous events between present happenings.
In The Refugee, F. Sionil Jose uses flashback also. This is seen in page
290, in the book edited by Roseburg in which the protagonist is in his present
situation and right then and another incident is recollected and narrated.
As the critical reading continuous, another parallel structure element is
assumed is the conflict man versus other men. The character in the story May
Day Eve, Three Generations and Summer Solstice visibly fight against each
other. The problem is found between the characters in the story. This is true and
parallels with the stories The God Stealer and The refugee authord by F.
Sionil Jose wherein the conflicts lie on the characters against another character.

35
Additionally, Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose use third person omniscient
or panoramic point of view in the stories May Day Eve, Summer Solstice,
Three Generations, The God Stealer, and The Refugee.
Table 3
Comparative Structural Elements
NICK JOAQUINS
SHORT STORIES

May Day Eve

Summer Solstice
Three Generations
May Day Eve
Three Generations

May Day Eve

Three Generations
Summer Solstice
May Day Eve
Three Generations
Summer Solstice

PARALLEL STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS

F. SIONIL JOSES
SHORT STORIES

Symbolism

The God Stealer

The Refugee
The Forest

Style-flashback

The Refugee

Conflict: Man against other men

The God Stealer

The Forest

Point of View: Third Person

Omniscient

Comparative Human Experience

Parallel Significant Human experience
This critical reading implies that premises of moral betterment is present
both in the works of Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose. In May Day Eve, the
struggle between good and evil is distinguished on the attitudes of the couple

36
Don Badoy and Doa Agueda. The story narrates that the marriage of Badoy and
Agueda is just based on flaring passions, of rushed decisions and a trap during
that midnight of May. It is clearly understood that love is not found deep down the
couples hearts but instead hatred stays there, but still, they stick and stay
together. Separation nor divorce is never found in their abode. Their relationships
and their rage to reach other are not noticed by the members of their family,
especially their children and grandchildrens. Hatred has no power to separate
them except death.
In Three Generations, goodness is evident on the part of Celo Monzon,
that though he hates his father so much, his hatred is just kept within him. There
is no part in the story which reveals that he fights back against his father. In fact,
ha regrets, he regrets much of his harsh action inflected on his son Chitopng.
Moreover, what strikes the readers most is the kind of attitude the Monzons
children have. In spite old of Monzons womanizing attitude, his being violent, his
children take good care of him in his old age.
While in Summer Solstice, despite the glorifications of devil and the
flesh together with the presence of paganism and its rituals, still, Nick Joaquin
tries to mix paganism with St. Johns day. More, though the story expresses
human sexuality which is a social taboo to some moralist, the writer is able to
point out that a husband and a wife should understand and consider each others
needs and desires, because admittedly, the sensuality of every partner is indeed
a spice of a wonderful union.
Similarly, F. Sionil Joses The God Stealer, carefully and vividly describes
the feeling of remorse felt by Philip Latak, which is being signified by his wearing
of g-strings again, their traditional costumes and by trying to chisel a new Ifugao.

37
Moral betterment is perceived through the actions of Philip Latak that feeling
sorry and asking for forgiveness clean a persons guilty mind and that ancient
culture and tradition should be love and preserved.
The critical reading argues that Nick Joaquins May Day Eve, Summer
Solstice, and Three Generations, along with F. Sionil Joses The God Stealer,
The Refugee, and The Forest, are parallel when it comes to craftsmanship.
Both of them write stories which are artistically written. They strongly impart one
function of literature which is Dulce et Utile, it teaches while it pleases. Their
stories provide knowledge, enjoyment and appreciation to every reader because
their works are well-crafted, delightful and written with awe. A reader who reads
their works feels as though his/her flesh creeps his libido sniggles up to his/her
head and his pulse triggers.
This critical reading further proposes that May Day Eve which is written
by Nick Joaquin expresses psychic therapy, vis-a-vis with the work of F. Sionil
Jose titled The Refugee.
This is supported with the reactive theory based from human experience.
In May Day Eve everything should have been good had Don Badoy confessed
that he truly love her, showed her his concern and tender care instead of allowing
his thought of revenge caused of his wounded fingers because later on, the
woman being frail and weak, will eventually succumb to his love and changed
hatred to love.
In like manner, F. Sionil Joses The Refugee, he should have been
opened about the way he felt especially on his insecurities so that real refuge
would come on his life and he will be happy.

38
Additionally, Summer Solstice and The Forest speak about scientific
learning they inform every reader that everything is normal when it comes to the
issue of man, his life together with his biological and emotional needs.
In Summer Solstice, a husband and a wife should talk sincerely on what
they need from each other. That machismo and masculinity along the wifes
feminity should be set aside, rather, their focus should be their wants and needs,
and those would make them happy and satisfied.
In like manner, The Forest, is a complete revelation that everybody dies,
everybody has his end even if one is, a soldier, a politician or an specialist in the
field of medicine.
Hedonistic pleasure on self-discipline is evident in the story Three
Generations and God Stealer Celo Monzon, the protagonist, in the Three
Generations controls his anger against his father, the Old monzon, so with
Chitong, he, Chitong did not show any behaviour of fighting back against his
father when he was struck by his Celo Monzon, his very own Father.
In the God Stealer, the grandfather of Philip Latak still try to welcome his
lost grandson if he knew that his beloved grandson had disowned their costumea
and heritage.
Lastly, this critical reading theories that May Day Eve and the The
Refugee speak about the catharsis of unpleasant emotion. In this two stories,
the problems of the protagonist center on their feelings which were hidden. The
characters should have been true to themselves, about what they liked and
dislike, what they didnt want and what they wanted, for them to achieve true
happiness.

39

Table 4
Comparative Significant Human Experience

NICK JOAQUINS
SHORT STORIES

PARALLEL SIGNIFICANT HUMAN

EXPERIENCE SHE

F. SIONIL JOSES
SHORT STORIES

May Day Eve

Summer Solstice
Three Generations

Moral betterment

The God Stealer

May Day Eve

Summer Solstice
Three Generations

Presence of Dulce et Utile

The God Stealer

The Forest
The Refugee

May Day eve

Three Generations

Psychic therapy

The God Stealer

Summer Solstice

Scientific learning

The Forest

Three Generations

Hedonistic pleasure

The God Stealer

May Day Eve

Catharsis of Unpleasant Emotion

The Refugee

40

Books
Adams, Hazard, Ed. Critical Theory Science Plato. San Diego: Harcourt.
Jovanovich, Publishing.1971.
Barnet, et al., An Introduction
Publisher,1993.

to

Literature,

USA: Harper

Bates, Walter Jackson., Criticism: The Major Text. New York: Harcourt.
and World Inc., 1952.

College
Brace

Bascara, Linda R. ,Ph D., World Literature, Manila: Rex Book Store,
Inc.1999.

41
Billiones, Patricia S., et. Exploring LifeThrough Afro-Asian Literature.
Phoenix Publishing House Inc., Philippines., 2007.
Calderon, JoseF., Ed. D., et al., Psychological
Education.QuezonCity: Katha Publishing Co.,1985.

Foundation

of

Connoly, Francis., The Type of Literature, New York: Harcourt,

World Incorporated., 1995.

Brace and

Daiches, David,AStudy of Literature, New York :WW. Norton and

1964.

Company.

Del Castillo, Buenaventura Medina, Philippine Literature from Ancient

Times,Philippine Graphic Arts, Incorporated, 1947.
Dube, Anthony, et al.Structure and Meaning.USA: Houghton
Company , 1976.

Muffle and

GED Literature and theArts,Steck-Vaughn Company, USA. 1991.

Holman, Hugh C. and William Harmon., A Handbook to Literature, 5th
Edition, New York, USA: Macmillan Publishing Company.,1986.
Knickerbocker, K.L., et al., Interpreting Literature, Seventh Edition College
Publishing House, Inc.,2001.
Maramba, Asuncion David, Philippine Contemporay Literature in
Filipino, Makati City: Bookmark Inc., 2001.

English and

Romero, Josephine P., et al. Exploring Life Through English and

American
Literature .Phoenix Publishing House Inc.,
Philippines, 2008.
Roseburg, A.G. Pathways to Philippine Literature in English. Revised
Edition.Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House Inc., 1998.
Saymo, Apolinario S., et al. World Literature.Philippines:Trinitas
Inc., 2004.

Publishing

Serrano, Josephine B. and Trinidad M. Ames, Survey of Filipino

Literature in
English from Apprenticeship to Contemporary. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.1998.
Scott, Wilbur. Five Approaches of Literary Criticism,New York:

Collier, 1966.

42
Tan, ArseniaB.Introduction to Literature.3rdEdition.Philippines:
Publishing Corporation, 1994.

Academe

Tiempo, Edilberto K., Literary Criticism in

the Philippines and Other
Essays.,De La Salle University Press., Incorporated. Malate,
Manila, 1995.
Tomeldan , Yolanda V., et al. Prism: An Introduction to Literature.
Bookstore, Incorporated, Manila, Philippines., 1986.

National

Trilling, Lionel ,Beyond Culture. Essays on Literature and Learning.

Viking Press, New York, 1965.

The

Trilling, Lionel ,The Sense of the Past and Essays on Modern

Criticism, Ed. Ray and West, New York: Holt, Rinchart and Winson,
1961.
Wellek, Rene and Austin Warren. Theory of Literature.3rd Edition,
Harcourt, Brace and World, Inc. 1956.

USA:

Theses and Dissertations

Aleta, Eldeza A. O HenrysThe Four Million, An Analysis
Technique,
Published Masters Thesis) , University of San Jose- Recoletos, Cebu,
City, 1990.
Alosbanos, Edgar A. The Dominant Themes of Waywaya, Eleven Filipino
Short Stories by F. Sionil Jose, (Published Masters
Thesis)UniversitofSan Jose-Recoletos Cebu, City, 1992.
Banagbanag, Rogelio A. Euphemism in Selected Filipino Short Stories
of the
American Periodand the Contemporary Period ,
(Unpublisheished
Dissertation),Universityof Eastern Philippines, University Town,Catarman
Northern Samar, 2007.
Bustos, Roselyn T. Strategies in the Teaching of Selected Short Stories of
Nick Joaquin to Develop Students Multiple
Intelligences,
(Unpublished
Masters Thesis), University of San
Jose

Recoletos, Cebu, City, 2004.

Cobita, Norma L. The Themes of Literary Techniques in Selected Works of
Robert Penn Warren: Basis for Improvement, (Unpublished Masters
Thesis) University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu , City, 2002.

43
Costelo, Adelyne M. Social Themes in Francisco Sionil Joses
Platinum and
Other Stories , (Unpublished Masters Thesis )
University of San
Jose- Recoletors, Cebu City, 2004.
Magan, Ma. Shiela V. Aristotles Poetics Reflected in Selected
Shakespearean
Tragedies,( Unpublished Dissertation), University of
Eastern Philippines University Town,Catarman,
Northern Samar,
2007.
Requieron, Usaffe de la, A Critico-analytical Study of the Short Story of F.S,
Jose Anthologized in his The God Stealer and Other Unpublished
Masters Thesis), University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu, City, 1984.
Sevilla, Hazel G., A Survey of the Themes and Values of Selected Novel of
Edith Wharton:
Basis for A Proposed Teaching Guide, (Published
University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu City. 2000.

General References
Collins English Dictionary, Harper Collins Publishers Westernhill
Road- Bishopbriggs, Great Britain.
Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge, USA, Grolier Internal , 2004.
New Webster Comprehensive Dictionary.
Magazines and Articles
De Vera ,Ruel S., Franklie, Franky. Sunday InquirerMagazine.
December,2011.
De Vera, Ruel S., Long Live Nick. Sunday Inquirer Magazine,
July ,2014.
Internet Sources
F. Sionil Jose. National Artist for Literature Famous Novelist :
fsioniljose.blogspot.com.
Kintanar, Thelma B. F. Sionil Jose Short Stories: (15 August 2013).
Retrieved from: http://www.fsioniljose.tk

44

45

Appendix A
A PHOTOGRAPH OF NICK JOAQUIN, 1976, NATIONAL ARTIST FOR
LITERATURE

46

47
Appendix B
NICK JOAQUINS WORKS AND LIFE
Nicomedes Marquez Joaquin was born in Paco, Manila.

His

father,

Leocadio Y. Joaquin was from San Pedro, Makati, a lawyer and a colonel of the
Philippine Revolution. His mother, Salome Marquez was a school teacher.
Virgins Jewel, The Legend of the Dying Wanton, and The Mass of St. Sylvestre. He
He studied his secondary education at the Mapa High School but he
also wrote one novelette, The Woman Who Had Two Navels, then a translation of Rizals
dropped out because he got bored with school chores. Later, he received an
Last Farewell and a full-length play, A portrait of the Artist as Filipino. Next to those
honorary degree, Associate in Arts from the University of Santo Tomas in
mentioned were May Day Eve and Summer Solstice.
recognition of his first prize-winning essay,La Naval de Manila . This degree
Because of his exemplary works and contribution to Philippine Literature, he was
made it possible for him to enrol at St. Albert College in Hongkong where he
declared as National Artist for Literature in 1976 and was the most anthologized of all
studied for the priesthood, but later gave up and came home.
Filipino authors.
During the liberation and up to 19047, he worked as stage manager for
On April 29,2004, Nick Joaquin died at the age of 87.
the Filipiniana Troupe under the supervision of his sister-in-law, Sarah Joaquin.
In 1950, he joined the Free Press under the name Quijano de Manila.
Nick Joaquin and his works were known to public when his stories and
other writings were published in a book called Nick Joaquin Prose and Poems
in 1952. Among his works were Shooting Stars, his first published story, The
Three Generations, The Woman Who Felt Like Lazarus, It Was Later Than We
Thought , and La Naval de Manila. In 1949, Guardia de Honor, won the Free
Press short story contest. His other stories followed such as The Legend of the
Virgi. Sylvestre. He also wrote one novelette, The Woman Who Had Two
Navels,
then a translation of Rizals Last Farewell and a full-length play, A portrait of
the Artist
Filipino.
NextLong
to those
mentioned
wereInquirer
May Day Eve and
Reference
: Deas
Vera,
Ruel S.,
Live Nick,
Sunday
Magazine, July , 2014.
Summer Solstice.

48
Because of his exemplary works and contribution to Philippine Literature,
he was declared as National Artist for Literature in 1976 and was the most
anthologized
of of
all Filipino
authors. Solstice
C.2. A Brief
Summary
The Summer
On April 29,2004,
Nick Joaquin
at the
age ofwith
87.St. Johns Day, as it
The narrative
of the story
Summer died
Solstice
begins
occurred in the 1850s in the Philippines .Entoy informed Doa Lupeng that Amada
participated in the Tadtarin fertility ritual. Amada was believed to have become the
Tadtarin personified. The next day, while on board on a carriage, Dona Lupeng started
C.1
Summary of regarding
May Dayhow
EveAmada could still believe in such a ritual. Don Paeng
a conversation
Don Badoy
Montiya
visited were
his old
home atThe
Intramuros,
memories
of his
cut herAsshort
because
the children
listening.
carriageManila,
stopped,
and they
youth
came the
back. St.
He revealed
in love with Agueda,
woman who
watched
Johns how
Dayheprocession.
Thinkinga young
and speaking
to resisted
herself, his
Source: De Vera, Ruel S., Long Live Nick. Sunday Inquirer Magazine,
July
,2014
advances.
Agueda
learned
shedoing
wouldthe
able demonstration
to know her future
DonaLupeng
mocked
thethat
men
of husband
arroganceby reciting
in the an
Appendix C
SELECT
STORIES
OF that
NICK
JOAQUIN
incantation
front
a mirror.home,
As OF
she
recited
the
word mirror,
mirror
, show
to me him
procession in. BRIEF
UponofSUMMARIES
arriving
Dona
Lupeng
found
out
Guido,
Don Paengs
whose
I will be. in
Agueda
saw
quarrel
between
them
cousin woman
had participated
both the
St.Badoy
Johnsand
Daya terrible
procession
andhappened
the Tadtarin
rituals.
and
because
of that
incident,
were forced
to marry
each other.
, ashethey
Guido
and Dona
Lupeng
had athey
conversation
outside
their house.
GuidoHowever
told her that
continued
marriage,
Badoy
learned
fromwas
hisbeautiful.
grandsonLater,
Voltaire
that Dona
he was
enjoyed thetheir
fiestas
and sheDon
found
out that
Amada
she told
described
byshe
Agueda
through her
as a devilGuido
. In return
, Don
Badoy
told his
Lupeng that
was adorable
and daughter
to her amazement,
dragged
himself
forward
grandson
looked
at theLupeng.
mirror, he
saw Paeng
a witch
(Agueda).
and kissedthat
theevery
tips oftime
the he
shoes
of Doa
Shealways
told Don
about
GuidosDon
Badoy
on love that
had dissipated.
truth was
revealed.
Badoy
and Agueda
actionspondered
but her husband
reasoned
out that aThe
woman
needed
love and
respect
not
had
a bitter
marriage,Dona
which
beganwent
in the
, during
thatritual,
one evening
in the
month of
adoration.
Afterwards,
Lupeng
to past
see the
Tadtarin
Don Paeng
followed
May,
1847.
tragedy
was onhorde.
how Badoys
heart
be able
to forget
his wife
but The
she was
lost of
in the
the story
thick female
When she
returned
home,
they how
had he
loved
Agueda in
theDona
past.Lupeng
Because
of their pride
and revenge,
theyher
were
to mend
an argument,
and
challenged
her husband
to whip
butnot
herable
husband
their
and and
theirkissed
love remained
be white
a raging
and
more.
sank broken
heavilymarriage,
to his knees
savagelytoher
foot,passion
her step
hernothing
sole, and
her
frail ankle , telling her that he loved her and adored her.

49

C.3. A Brief Summary of The Three Generations

Three Generations talks about a man named Celo Monzon, whose
unhappy childhood still haunts him even if he is already a father.
beginning of the story, his wife tells him about

At the

their sons plan to enter

priesthood. He is also told about the call his sister has made because she no
longer knows what to do with their sick father. After detesting his father for a
number of years, he goes to him with his son Chitong, one afternoon. They find
the old man very ill. Celo forcibly feeds the old man while his son Chitong
watches and feels sorry for him. They learned that the old man still looks for the
woman who used to stay and take care of him. Chitong decides to look for the
woman at whatever expense there is from his father, after knowing that the poor
woman has been whipped by Celo, his father , when she insisted to stay beside
the old man. When Chitong has found her, he invited the woman to be with the
old man. When the two arrived ,Celo gets angry at his sons defiance and has

50
lain hands on him for the first time. He then realized how he has become the
father he has hated for so long and realizes further that the slap has been his. At
this point, the woman slipped swiftly away from them and went into the old
mans room, locking the door behind.
Reference : Maramba, Asuncion David, Philippine Contemporary
Literature in English and Filipino, Makati City: Bookmark Inc.,
2001.

Appendix D
A PHOTOGRAPH OF F. SIONIL JOSE, 2001, NATIONAL ARTIST
FOR LITERATURE

Appendix E
A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF FRANCISCO SIONIL JOSE
Francisco Sionil Jose was born on December 3, 1924,in

Rosales,

Pangasinan.He is one of the most widely read Filipino writers in the English
language. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class

51
struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. Joses works written in English has
been translated into 22 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Russian,
Latvian, Ukranian and Dutch.
Jose attended the University of Santo Tomas after World War II, but
dropped out and plunged into writing and journalism in Manila. In subsequent
years, he edited various literary and journalistic publications. He started a
publishing house and founded the Philippine branch of PEN, an international
organization for writers. Throughout his career, Joses writings espouse
socialjustice and change to better, the lives of average Filipino families. He is one
of the most critically acclaimed Filipino authors internationally. Because of his
great contributions to Philippine literature, being a novelist, writer and journalist ,
he was proclaimed National Artist for Literature in the Philippines in the year
2001.
Reference : De Vera, Ruels., Frankly, Frankie, Sunday
Inquirer Magazine. December, 2011.

Appendix F
BRIEF SUMMARIES OF SELECT STORIES OF F. SIONIL JOSE
F.1. Summary of The God Stealer
The story began with two best friends Philip Latak, an Ifugao from the
Mountain Province and Sam Christie, an American, on a bus to Baguio. They
were on their

way to Baguio for one purpose. Sam wanted to buy a genuine

She wouldnt leave Ifugao without a god because its more than a souvenir and it
would remind her of Philip. He was a Christian who no longer had any respect or
affection for the Ifugao customs and religion. Also, Philip considered himself a

52
city boy and had no inclination to return to mountain life. Despite this attitude, his
grandfather was pleased to see him and decided to throw a big party in his
honor. On the day of the party, Sam and Philip discovered that no Ifugao was
willing to sell his god. And as a last resort, he stole the god of his grandfather,
because he felt it would be his way of showing his gratitude to Sam since he
made the vacation and the raise possible. Then, they argued if it was better that
Philip returned the god back to his grandfather . The consequences of his act
were severe . After finding out that his god was missing, Philips grandfather died.
Because of his grandfathers passing, he decided not to return to Manila with
Sam as a form of repentance. Philip explained his reasons for choosing to stay in
the mountains. He could forgive himself for stealing the god, but the old man had
been wise. He knew that it was Philip who did it from the very start. He

wanted to believe that it was not Philip who did, it but he could not pretend. Philip felt as
if he killed his grandfather because he wanted to be free from the cursed terraces.
From that moment their friendship was broken. Philip did not even want to face Sam
once. In the dark hut, Sam noticed that Philip was now attired in G-string the traditional
costume of the Ifugao and he was in the process of replacing the old Ifugao idol by
F.2.a Summary
chiselling
new one. of The Refugee
During his last two weeks in Korea as a lecturer on Asian Culture, his host
Dr. Pak assigned him a Korean girl, Shinae to escort him as he journeys the
city.
Shinae reminds him of another girl from Hongkong whom he had
wronged. Her name was Sueh Ching who was a chinese refugee and an orphan

53
who came to be dependent on him.

She was a teacher who tutored him

Mandarin. They became very close and when he thought that Sueh Ching was
not around, he confided to his friend that he was not seemingly in love her. The
said there
eleven his
of them
and ten
were
dead and after
one survived
which they
brought
to
girlwere
overheard
statement
and
disappeared
that. SuehChing
was
not the
the doctor
forgirl
aid.who
Thewas
survivor
enemy
to be
first,
started
to of
only
involved
on did
his not
life.want
In his
latetouched
20s ,heatfell
in he
love
with one
jabber sohis
a lot
of students
blood came
out from
his arms
face. Everything
wasadone
on him,
best
named
Ligaya.
He feltand
insecure
since he had
nagging
feeling
blood transfusion,
injecting
into his arms
to assuage
the depression
pain, but later
he
of not being
able tomorphine
hold permanently
on anything.
When
overcame
him he sought refuge in drugs. He had an overdose of drugs and landed in the
passed away.
One
morning
as left
theirhim.
medical supplies were just delivered, guerrilla and their
hospital.
Ligaya
His Korean guide Shinae looked like Sueh Ching. She was also a refugee.
lieutenant arrived asking for supplies. The following day, a young pretty woman on a
She became attached to him and he did not want her to be subjected to the
stretcher was brought in. She was bleeding. It was found out that she had jumped off a
same experience of his previous women. He told her name was only given to
cliff when the lieutenant left. The woman had a miscarriage and died. Another woman was
him by people who picked him up when he could never give her security. He did
brought in. She was moaning since her arms and other parts of her body were lacerated.
not know who he was. His was a baby during the war. He didnt know who his
She was clearly one of those who entertained the soldiers. She begged to be saved but
parents were. He was nothing.
died in the end. She was buried with her identity unknown.
It was about a month when the everyday attack of the Japanese navy kept going.
They hurled
grenades at
, some
Japanese enemies brazenly entered the tent
F.3. Summary
of their
Thetents
Forest

The story begins with Dr. Goddard, a quite, uncommunicative and glum
and bayoneted and shot the people and patients inside. Doctor Goddard was among the
but dedicated physician who entered the mountain country together with him, the
casualties and was dying in the emergency tent. He was laid in a stretcher, with his eyes
narrator. Though the doctor knew that death lurked in every crevice, in every
half open and with a loose tourniquet on his battered arm. He was helped to survive and
shrub and stand of grass in the forest, still he had that rigorous march up to the
tried to survive but still he joined his creator. It was a touching display of valor and courage
hills because he felt the zeal of satisfaction and serenity in the forest.
to sacrifice
ones
life which
cannot
be appraised
of any
fullest value
to the
enemy
in the
morning
and in the
afternoon
throughout the
In the mountain people trekked in after a sick call, death came fearful stretch of
day. Two privates came and told about their encounter with the enemies. The
Reference: Roseburg, A.G. Pathways to Philippine Literature in English Revised Edition.
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House Inc. 1998.

54

CURRICULUM
VITAE
OF THE LITERARY
CRITIC

55

MA. ASUNCION GIRAY-DESALES

BRGY. STO NINO 6411 , LAOANG N.SAMAR
sionygirayd@yahoo.com
09154735193
Scholastic Profile
Graduate Studies:
Doctor of Philosophy in English , University of San Jose-Recoletos Cebu,
City
Master of Arts in Teaching (English) ,Philippine Normal University,
Ave., Manila

Taft

Diploma Course in Reading , Philippine Normal University, Taft Ave.,

Manila
College Studies:
Bachelor of Science in Education
Science)

(Major in English, Minor in Social

Cum - Laude
University Leadership Awardee
University of Eastern Philippine, University Town, Catarman, N. Samar
Secondary:
Colegio de Sta. Teresita, Laoang, N. Samar
First Honorable Mention
Best in School Presentation- Theatre Arts
Elementary:
P.M.Geta Memorial Central Elementary School, Laoang, N. Samar
First Honors
Work Experience
Assistant Director for Academic Affairs
November 14, 2014 to present.
University of Eastern Philippines Laoang Campus
Laoang, Northern Samar
Assistant Professor III
University of Eastern Philippines Laoang Campus
Laoang, Northern Samar

56

School Paper Adviser

THE NOUMENA
Official School Paper of the University of Eastern Philippines
Laoang Campus
Laoang, Northern Samar
2005 2009
Secondary School Teacher
Laoang National Trade School
Laoang, Northern Samar

Organizations
President, UEPL Faculty Union
Vice-President, (Internal) UEP Faculty Federation
Member, UEP Alumni Association
Member, PNU Alumni Association
Chairperson Literary Committee, Municipal Council for
Culture and the Arts
Municipality of Laoang, Province of Northern Samar

Member, National Commission for Culture and the Arts

(NCCA) Dramatics Visayas

Member, Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP)

Personal Profile
: Dr. Francis Bong Balitbit Desales
: Jullian James Giray Desales
: Jansen Elijah Giray Desales

Spouse
Children

Parents

Parents In-Law: Atty. Socrates Garfin Desales

: Luz Balitbit- Desales, MD.

: Mr. Apolinar Balanquit Giray

: Estela Muncada-Giray

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64