random thoughts
Francisco Arcellana wrote the two short stories, “The Mats” and “Divide by two”. Arcellana believes that a good fiction should be close to reality. I could say that he did not fail us in making his stories realistic. Both stories showed a situation wherein it could really happen to anybody- loosing someone and accepting the truth.
Which is more realistic?
The Mats.
Loosing someone you love is probably the hardest thing that could happen to a person. Death is inevitable and you really don’t know when it will come. And that is the most painful reality that could happen to anybody. But still it is hard to accept that someone who became a part of your life, and with just one snap, will be gone for you forever. It really takes time for a person to accept or really move on with this kind of tragedy. It may take months, years, for the pain to fade away or totally disappear.
In the story, Mr. Angeles is not always there for his family because of the demands of his work. Although he supported them in terms of the financial matters, but the presence is what he can’t or barely give to his family. The gap between Mr. Angeles and his children is established by the writer by addressing Mr. Angeles as Mr. Angeles not father or tatay. Unlike their mother which the children call her as Nana Emilia. And through the actions, gesture or treatment of the children to Mr. Angeles compared to Nana Emilia, I can say that there are closer to their mom.
When the death of his three children is mentioned, Mr. Angeles became very hysterical. I think that he is still in mourning. He is still recovering or adjusting with the situation that he lost his three children. Probably when his three children died, he was not there. So it is more painful for him to accept it compare to the other members of the family. Probably because he will blame himself for not being there when the children need him the most. And for sure Mr. Angeles didn’t want that to happen. Of course if given a chance he likes to be with his family always.
Divide by two.
“God knows I hate the sight of violence. But is it really violence I cannot stand? Isn’t it rather truth?”
In the story the house of the two couple is divided by adobe blocks. Tension between the two couples is established by the writer. I think both couple have something that they try to hide from each other. Even though they try to hide it, it is shown in their actions and gestures. But they don’t have the courage or maybe they are afraid of knowing or accepting the truth.
According to the stories, I can say that women are…
The one who stays in the house and do house hold chores.
The one who take good care of the children.
The one who value the feelings of other people.
Like to be liked.
Sensitive and emotional.
Labels: arcellana, litfili week 2
I like what you said about death. Many people can't imagine the loss of anyone. Most pinoys would still keep their loved ones alive in their hearts even if their dead. Being so loved increases our lifespan, doing something great makes us immortal.