Magnificence

Estrella D. Alfon

Meaning of Magnificence

Greatness or lavishness of surroundings; splendor.

Grand or imposing beauty.

Characters
-Vicente the bus conductor -Mother -Oscar (little boy) -Little Girl

Magnificence Summary

Its about a man named Vicente who was just a bus conductor who is used to come to a home to help a couple with their children's homework and he gives them pencils which in the children's eyes are the greatest gift on earth but he was actually trying to earn the little girls trust and wanted to molest her and luckily the mother came into the room and caught Vicente before he could harm the little girl

The descriptions of the mother and Vicente are contrastive not only against each other but also against stereotypes of their genders. The story opens with Vicente being described as so gentle, so kind, a phrase usually used for women. Vicente is a dark little man whose voice [was] soft [and] manner slow

On the other hand, the mother is a gloating mother whose eyes [held] pride. She is barely described at the start, as absent as the father except for short delivered lines, which are also in a tone not in sync with stereotype mothers. Only later is the mother completely revealed: a tall woman who spoke in a voice very low, very heavy and with an awful timbre. The contrast emphasizes the darkness of Vicente and the mothers magnificence.

This contrast is also displayed in the metaphor of light or illumination. At the start, Vicente was described as slowly advancing into the circle of light. During the crucial moment, the mother is transfigured [by a] glow (note the connotation of Jesus/God, images of magnificence). She had been in the shadow literally, and figuratively, about Vicentes queerness that crouched inside him. In her anger, she advance[s] into the glare of light and reveals her magnificent self. Vicente is then forced out of the circle of light and into the shadows that ate him up.

The mothers sense of control with Vicente is set against her inner disposition once with her daughter. Her touch is heavykneading, eyes with angered fire, her actions almost frantic.

 The reversal of gender assignments is not only incidental. The story is not just about one magnificent woman but of all women and mothers who have been in shadows but raise [their] hand[s] against male abuse. This is shown in how throughout the story the mother is referred to as mother but at the moment she was punishing Vicente, she is called woman.

When she gets back to her daughter, she is seen as mother again, but in exploring her disposition and rage she is again woman. Finally, upon calming down, she becomes mother and tucks her child in.

Analysis
Magnificence of Estrella Alfon is a touching psychological and moralistic story. Psychologically, focusing on Vicente's role, he wasn't able to suppress his burning dark desire for the child releasing it into a nice way. Instead, succumbing to his Id's impulses, he secretly molested the little. His action was morally wrong for he shouldn't have done this. He should have fought for it so as not to ruin his relationship with the girl and her family as well as his. He listened to his Id's urge; thus putting himself in the problem.

Morally though, Vicente is considered immoral but the mother can also be blamed. She relied and trusted so much the man without knowing his background. Although the man is described as gentle, slow in manner and helpful but these characteristic don't guarantee a true personality. On the other hand, I admired the mother for her action - for her magnificence. She was able to drive Vicente out of the house in a very forceful, magnificent manner but toned down. She was indeed a mother and a woman of valor.

Questions
1. If you are on the position of the mother, what would you do? Are you going to stand for your own childs sake or just stand and do nothing?

2. What is the magnificence of the mother that was shown in the story?

3. Are all mothers have their own magnificence? How and why?

4. Is Vicente a good man?

Activity
Draw a symbol that can signify your own magnificence as a man/woman. Explain the symbol briefly with two or more sentences.

Prepared by: Gomez, Edesa Faye B. Valencia, Margarita E. C201 All rights reserved. 2012-2013

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