UNIT 1/ LECTURE

Mill of the Gods

ESTRELLA ALFON

I TITLE:

The title of the story was culled from the proverbial phrase “the mill of the gods grinds slowly
but surely.” Simply put, it means justice maybe slow but it will surely come.

II LITERARY DEVICES:

Some of the most common literary devices used in this text are the following:

1. Personification

Espeleta St. not only functions as a setting but also as a character that serves as the
story’s narrator and witness to Martha’s life.

Fate is also described as the “convenient blunderer” who gave Martha her “first
scar.” In paragraph 2, this portrayal of Fate sets an ominous tone which thus prepares
the introduction of conflict in the story.

2. Irony

Martha fell in love with a doctor who also happened to be a married man. The
doctor represents all the things she hates about her father and the privileges the
society has accustomed him with. In paragraph 25 it is stated:

She was a woman now, Martha was. Wise and wary. But there is no wisdom, no wariness against
love. Not the kind of deep love she knew she bore him. And even if she loved him, she found
within herself the old-deep abiding secret hate. Against her father. Against the laws of man and
church. Against the very fates that seemed rejoiced in making her pay for a sin she had not
committed. (Emphasis mine.)

III THEMES:

1. Filipino “macho” culture

The term “macho” bears our Hispanic heritage stamped with a Christian doctrine
that believes in one superior, male God. It translates to a patriarchal ideology which
favours the position of men over women in the society. Hence, the story provides us
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 with the rhetoric that “men choose, while women wait” and that womanizing
validates one’s masculinity.

2. Sanctity of marriage and family.

Marriage and family are two institutions that serve as avenue to exercise patriarchy.
Institutions are necessary in every society however, in the context of the story it
turns a blind eye on the injustices done to women. Examples are domestic violence
and philandering by the husband.

3. Archetypes of women

“Mill of the Gods” presents us with three archetypes of women:

 Seductress or temptress (“puta”) - In Christian doctrine, the seductress or

temptress reminds us of Eve who is the source of original sin. The seductress is
played by Pio’s other woman, and later in the story, by his daughter Martha.

 Suffering mother (“mater dolorosa”) - The suffering mother whereas reminds us

of Mary as martyr. In the story, she is personified by Martha’s mother Engracia.

 Docile daughter or virgin (“la virgin”) – The docile daughter or virgin whereas
reminds us of Mary’s obedience and subservience. Martha came to embody this
persona in the beginning of the story.

In Greek mythology, the “archetypal” virgin is ubiquitous in any narrative that

requires sacrifice. We may want to remember Iphigenia, daughter of King
Agamemnon who was killed in order to appease the gods and secure the welfare
of soldiers who are going to war. Martha, who embodies the virginal persona,
comes in as the sacrificial lamb who shall pay for the sins of her father as
accorded by Fate described as the “convenient blunderer.”

4. Suffering as virtue on the part of women

Women had internalized suffering to the point of accepting the atrocities committed
to them as something “acceptable” and “normal.” In Filipino conversations, we often
hear excuses like, “kasi lalaki iyan,” or “palibhasa lalaki.” This is evident in paragraph
13 when Martha’s mother tries to cover up her father’s womanizing:

It is that woman, that woman! And making excuses to Martha for her father, saying it was never
completely the man’s fault. And Martha listened bewildered, because this was so different from
the venomous words her mother had told her while her father was in the room.

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 5. Justice or retribution

This theme goes back to the meaning of the title. The last paragraph, paragraph 36,
there is the depiction of the crucifix. It could be interpreted into two ways. One, it
may symbolize Martha’s pain and suffering. Two, just like the rhetoric of the death of
Christ’s which is followed by His resurrection; it may symbolize Martha’s redemption
as explained by the closing lines, “For now she hoped, she would cease to pay.”

QUESTION TO PONDER ON:

Does religion help alleviate the status of women in the society?

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