ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT STORY OF NICK JOAQUIN

“The Summer Solstice”

Carizza Zamudio

Title: The Summer Solstice

Author: Nick Joaquin

Nicomedes Márquez Joaquín (May 4, 1917–April 29, 2004) was a Filipino writer,

historian and journalist, best known for his short stories and novels in the English language. He
also wrote using the pen name Quijano de Manila. Joaquin was conferred the rank and title
of National Artist of the Philippines for Literature.

Joaquín died of cardiac arrest in the early morning of April 29, 2004. He died in his home
in San Juan, Metro Manila. At the time of his death, he was editor of Philippine
Graphic magazine and publisher of its sister publication, Mirror Weekly, a women’s magazine.
He also wrote columns (“Small Beer”) for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Isyu, an opinion
tabloid.

Story Analysis

Setting:

The main events in the story happened in the Moretas residence and at their town’s
mini plaza and those happened during the night.

Characterization:

 Donya Lupeng Moreta- long-married woman with three children

 Don Paeng Moreta- the highly moral husband of Donya Lupeng
 Guido- young cousin to the Moretas who studied in Spain
 Amada- the family cook and Entoy's wife
 Entoy- the family driver

Plot:

The story happened during the St. John's Day, Doña Lupeng finds Amada in a state of
madness and ecstasy after the latter attended the local ritual of Tadtarin, where the women
dance and invoke the spirit to empower them. And then they went to the house of their
grandfather to celebrate the feast where she meets and enchants Guido, who tries to
encourage to believe in the magic and power and of how beautiful is the Tadtarin ritual.
Unsettled, Donya Lupeng joins the last day of the ritual and dances with the other women to
her husband's horror. When they arrive at their house, Don Paeng tries to chastise his wife, but
Donya Lupeng, flushed and freed by the ritual, subverts him instead.

Conflict:

Woman vs. Man

It’s because of the scene that Lupeng or even Amada wants to be adore by their
husband in a way just like a slave to its master.

Climax:

The conflict of the story starts when Doña Lupeng and her husband went to the Tadtarin
on it’s last day where Llupeng wa so carried away by the ritual that even his husband can’t stop
her from joining the ritual dance until Don Paeng lost her inside the church with the Cult
because he was battered and ttthrown out by the women of the Tadtarin. And when they were
home, the confrontation between the couple starts.

Ending:

The ending was a success for Doña Lupeng even if Don Paeng resists what she wants
him to do, but as the epigraph shows, he submits in the end.

Theme:

The story focused about the Christianity and Paganism and also in the Faith and
Superstitions.

Tone/Atmosphere:

The story was full of mystery specially about the Tadtarin ritual.

Moral/Valuable Experience:

There’s nothing wrong to believe in superstitions but having faith to God is more
important.