The Storm Analysis

Last wednesday, we discussed the story called The Storm by Kate Chopin. It is about a woman, Calixta, who is married to Bobinot and a mother to Bibi, who had an affair with Alcee who is also married. The way the affair started and ended is parallel with the storm in the story. The storm started when Alcee when to Calixta’s house so that he won’t be caught up by the rain. In, our discussion, Alcee sees the strom as an opportunity to be with her.When the lightning began, the sex also did. And when it was bright and sunny, it was when it ended already. The reason that it ended in a good weather is because in the story, no one knew about the affair except the two characters that are involved. The story ended in an unusual (for me) happy ending.

My professor asked us whether Calixta is a bad person. And we have to explain why or why not? The question for me is very subjective. In my opinion, we can never say a person is generally bad. We always have our bad side and good side. I agree with what one of my classmate said. She is not a bad person but a bad wife. As a wife, she must commit herself to be with just one man. I still believe that I can only love one person. And if she did not want to be with Bobinot, she should have left him. And I think that is more understandable than cheating. It’s still unfair for Bobinot and it’s still wrong for me.

From what I interpreted to what my professor is said, Calixta is still a good person. He believes that ignorance is bliss. I believe in that saying too. But I disagree in this situation. Cheating is still cheating. What Calixta might feel after the sex might be happiness, but it is not true happiness. True happiness is equals the truth. Lies will always haunt you and will never see you free.

Anyways, what I want to say to her is: Oh well, goodluck to you, Calixta. Honestly, it’s wrong to talk about other people’s life. What you did was wrong, for me. But who am I to judge your life? I AM NOT EVEN INVOLVED IN THIS AFFAIR.  I do respect your decisions. Sorry, we are just discussing a good literary work. Sadly, you are in it.

Last Order sa Penguin Analysis

We did a play about Last Order sa Penguin which was created by Chris Martinez. I heard his name before because I remembered him in making  the indie movie Babae sa Septic Tank. Anyway, the story is about a group of friends who are having a bonding time at bar called Penguin. They talk about life, love and anxiety of turning thirty soon.

The lines in the play are relatable and real. The characters of the stories does exist in this modern world. I personally like two characters: Sweet and Dyna. Sweet is the rose vendor that would randomly appear in the story. I like about this character because Sweet adds humour to the play. Also, he is one of those people who manipulate others by using love. Sweet said that they should buy three roses to give a "special" I love you. On the other hand, I like Dyna since I think I see myself  years from now like her. I mean not being a cougar but being desperate in finding true love. I have always been scared to be alone when I'm old already. That is why she gives me interest.

At this stage of life, this play made me realize that there will still be turning points in your life that make or break you. When was really young, I thought that when you turned eighteen you know what you want to do with you life. And by the time you turned thirty, you feel accomplished with your life. But obviously, I was wrong. I am currently eighteen and I don't even know what is life. Last Order sa Penguin is right. We haves set deadlines to ourselves that would eventually disappoint us. We are in a  constant change and we are continually learning until we die. It sounds pretty much like torture. Well maybe, adds some friends to this so-called-life to add flavour to it.

Mang Serapio discussion

Last meeting we discussed about Paul Dumol' s  Mang Serapio. It is about a beggar named "Mang Serapio" who is being put in a trial with sentence of blinding hin by piercing his eyes with icepick. He was accused of taking care of a child which not allowed by the federecion. Although he proved himself not guilty since his wife and daughter, both named Sol, are already dead. The witnesses try to insist that there is child even though they did not find one inside the house of Mang Serapio. However, they found a chest wherein a doll is inside it. In the end, the federecion still blinded Mang Serapio because he was using the money of the federecion for taking care of the doll.

I personally like this since I am a fan of theatre plays. Although I find this story extremely weird since it's very hard to read. The pacing is different and complicated. It will have long dialogues then some very short lines. It makes me feel crazy which is somewhat the play is about- insanity. In the story, it was only Mang serapion who is sane enough to reason out well. An insane person perceive themselves as normal people and unaware of their strange behaviours.

The most important leaning that in this discussion is about Theater of the Absurd. It proves to us that life is  pointless. In this kind of play, we are not given moral lessons nor happily ever after. Just like in real life. With all the rules and people go through, how sure are we that there is a gate of heaven welcoming us? Or how sure are we that all the work we do will lead us to successful life?

It made me realize through this play that this is the life itself. Just a life.  Pointless. Therefore, we should create our own meaning of it. To some, it might salvation or finding true love. Others might tell me to do this and that. But who are they know and how crazy are they to dictate all those crap to me. I say, I will do everything that makes me feel everyday alive.

"But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?" - Albert Camus

We Real cool Analysis

We  Real cool by Gwendolyn Brooks

The Pool Players. Seven at the Golden Shovel.

We real cool.

We left School.

We lurk late.

We strike straight.

We sing Sin.

We thin gin.

We Jazz June.

We Die soon.

The speakers of this poem are seven young people playing pool at the Golden Shovel. Brooks put herself in their shoes rather than seeing it in “mature” people’s perspective. Together, the teenagers are doing things that society thinks are done by irresponsible people; like drinking gin, cutting school and going home late. They found happiness being in their group. In the poem, we see the camaraderie and outcome of having young people as one. These teenagers see life as very short not to have fun. So, why not live most out of it? 

As a young adult, I admit that I do crazy things not because I do not respect rules but rather to learn from experiences. I believe that I am not here in this world just to conform but rather to live. Older people around me might say not to do this or that. However in my opinion, I do not feel like I will grow as person if I will not know from my “mistakes.” Currently eighteen, I think I have the energy to do the things I want to do before I die soon. But I know that still need to be cautious because I want those memories to memorable and not regretful.

Valediction sa Hillcrest Analysis

Valediction sa Hillcrest by: Rolando Tinio

Pagkacollect ng Railway Express sa aking things
(Derecho na iyon sa barko while I take the plane),
Inakyat kong muli ang N-311 at dahil dead of winter,
Nakatopcoat at galoshes akong
Nagright turn sa N wing ng mahabang dilim
(Tunnel yatang aabot hanggang Tondo.
Kinapa ko ang switch sa hall.
Sa isang pitik, nagshrink ang imaginary tunnel,
Nagparang ataol.

Or catacomb,
Strangely absolute ang impression
Ng hilera ng mga pintong nagpuprusisyon:
Individual identification, parang mummy causes,
De-nameplate, de-numero, de-hometown address.
Antiseptic ang atmosphere, streamlined yet/
E filing cabinet.

Filing, hindi naman deaths, ha.
Remembrances, oo. Yung medyo malapot
Dahil, alam mo na I’m quitting the place
After two and a half years.
After two and a half years,
Di man nagkatiyempong mag-ugat, ika nga,
Siyempre’y naging attached, parang morning glory’ng
Mahirap mapaknit sa alambreng trellis.

At pagkabukas ko sa kuwarto
Hubo’t hubad na ang mattresses,
Wala nang kutson sa easy chair.
Mga drawer ng bureau’y nakanganga,
Sabay-sabay nag-ooration,
Nagkahiyaan, nabara.

Of course, tuloy ang radiator sa paggaralgal:
Nasa New York na si Bob and the two Allans,
Yung mga quarterbacks across the hall
Pihadong panay sa Des Moines.
Don and Constance aren’t coming back at all.
Gusto ko mang magpaalam—
to whom?
The drapes? the washbowl? sa double-decker
Na pinaikot-ikot namin ni Kandaswamy
To create space, hopeless, talagang impossible.
Of course, tuloy ang radiator sa paglagutok.
And the above silence,
nakakaiyak kung sumagot.)

Bueno, let’s get it over with.
It’s a long walk to the depot.
Tama na ang sophistication- sophistication.

Sa steep incline, pababa sa highway
Where all things level, sabi nga,
There’s a flurry, ang gentle- gentle.
Pagwhoosh-whoosh ng paa ko,
The snow melts right under:

Nagtutubig, parang asukal,
Humuhulas,
Nagsesentimental.

Valediction sa Hillcrest interprets the feeling of identity confusion. He used two languages to explain this dilemma. At first, he is excited to see his first home which is Tondo. But then, he realized he built a memory in Hillcrest also, so he was attached to that place too. I was a bit shocked when it was not revealed if he went back or stay where he is there. He realized that what matters most is the experiences and learning that you would treasure forever.

In this poem, I can agree that it is hard to find that special place where you belong. Most of my time, I’m in Manila but I still go home to Quezon City since it is where my family lives. Although, they are both in Metro Manila, I must say they are two differerent environments. Manila taught me the tough life while Quezon City was my comfort zone. This poem made me realize that sooner or later I might not stay in both places. I might choose to go to Davao or as far as France. What is important is I grow as a person live the life that I want. And so, I m ready to go to places never expected to be in.

PS: I have a blossoming love for Rolando Tinio hihi

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning Analysis

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

BY JOHN DONNE

As virtuous men pass mildly away,

   And whisper to their souls to go,

Whilst some of their sad friends do say

   The breath goes now, and some say, No:

So let us melt, and make no noise,

   No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move;

'Twere profanation of our joys

   To tell the laity our love.

Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears,

   Men reckon what it did, and meant;

But trepidation of the spheres,

   Though greater far, is innocent.

Dull sublunary lovers' love

   (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit

Absence, because it doth remove

   Those things which elemented it.

But we by a love so much refined,

   That our selves know not what it is,

Inter-assured of the mind,

   Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.

Our two souls therefore, which are one,

   Though I must go, endure not yet

A breach, but an expansion,

   Like gold to airy thinness beat.

If they be two, they are two so

   As stiff twin compasses are two;

Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show

   To move, but doth, if the other do.

And though it in the center sit,

   Yet when the other far doth roam,

It leans and hearkens after it,

   And grows erect, as that comes home.

Such wilt thou be to me, who must,

   Like th' other foot, obliquely run;

Thy firmness makes my circle just,

   And makes me end where I begun.

We have say “goodbye” people at some point in our life. Whether it is parting ways after a brief conversation or dumping them after a break up, you have to be ready to be leave each other’s presence and be on your own. In the poem, it is said in the start that if noble people can let go of their loved ones that are dying, why not us too who will just saying goodbye?  The most painful goodbyes are those who said for our loved ones. However, if you love them so much you are ready to let them go and let them explore the world. It is scary to be away from them knowing the dangers are around them when you are not with there to help them.

My father left the Philippines 15 years ago, to work abroad. He would only go back once a year. We were not close when I was younger, but I got to know him more when he stayed for more thn a month during my high school senior year. Everytime he goes back there, there is that fear of uncertainty. But he said that it is the only way ha can show his love for us. One day I will repay him for the act of love that he showed me.

On Death by John Keats Analysis

On Death by John Keats

Can death be sleep, when life is but a dream,
And scenes of bliss pass as a phantom by?
The transient pleasures as a vision seem,
And yet we think the greatest pain's to die.

How strange it is that man on earth should roam,
And lead a life of woe, but not forsake
His rugged path; nor dare he view alone
His future doom which is but to awake. 

As human beings, we have perceived death as an event to avoid. Even if there’s a need to cut us open or stuck a needle inside body, those pain is nothing compared to the failure of keeping our heart beating. You may be walking in streets or eating food to survive. However, is that enough to say that you are living?  What makes you say you are alive?

On the first part of the poem, the author contradicts the idea of death being associated with sleep. On the line, “Can death be sleep, when life is but a dream,” Keats creates an idea that when we are awake, we are dreaming. People try to participate in this world in order to survive. We do things for the sake of saying we have done something. We are not continuous in what we need to do in order to exist.

To exist is to be aware. The line “How strange it is that man on earth should roam,” describes us wandering in this lonely world without the feeling of fulfilment. One must be afraid when he/she is awake for the pain of reality can be felt through their bones. People have always been anxious of their life would end. We can be breathing the same air but some are just space fillers of this world. As stated by Keats, “his future doom which is but to awake” meaning our real battle is not our death but us being alive.