The Middle Prince

Obviously, there’s no way to really prepare for a test like this. But
here goes…
NB: We cannot use this during the exam. If I remember correctly
though we can have all the vocab definitions written on a size 1.

Before we start, here’s the real ending, set after the last paragraph:
They sailed into the open waters without looking back, sharing a
certain stillness and silence as the wind dispersed the dwindling
scent of olives in their wake.

Ms. Ibanez did not see that, apparently. But it still adds to the story.

Anyway, let’s start with vocab:

1) puissant (13) – having great power or influence
2) Vizier (13) – a high official or some sort of adviser
3) fatalistic (16) – a belief that everything is predetermined and
there is nothing one can do to prevent fate
4) invariably (21) – always, without fail
5) ennui (23) – boredom
6) direst (38) – most serious or urgent (in other words, pinakadire.)
7) perils (38) – dangers
8) sear (51) – burn/scorch, to sear a man’s vision means to “silaw”
so much that he becomes blind
9) oblivious (54) – unaware
10) gossamer (75) – any type of cord that is very light and very thin
11) conundrum (83) – a confusing problem
12) penultimate (83) – second to the last
13) propriety (89) – ownership, possession
14) solace (97) – comfort or consolation
15) inevitable (97) – cannot be prevented or stopped

Themes:
Prevailing theme throughout the story: You control your own
destiny.
Sub-themes:
Life is not a storybook, it’s real.
Sometimes, you may win without realizing it.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (more on this later)
Don’t judge a book by its cover./All that glitters is not gold. (more on
this later also)

Themes by paragraph:
(1, 7, 10) Nothing brings more happiness and joy than having kids.
(1-6) Wives always try to attend to their husbands’ needs.
(6, 8-10) What mothers do in pregnancy affects their kids (paglilihi,
etc).  Can be extrapolated to “The fruit does not fall far from the
tree” etc etc,  can be further extrapolated to “What other people
do always affect you, directly or indirectly.”
(10-13) Inexperienced people are often not fit to rule and/or Just
because you come from a ruling family does not mean you are fit to
rule.
(14) The elder sibling is expected to take more responsibility than
the younger siblings.
(10-13) Possible hints about women’s weaknesses, as the Sultana
was unfit to rule
(17) Be kind to others, respect your elders, be aware of your
surroundings (hence the listening to the animals)
(20) Some people give up before they even start.
(20, 24) People always believe what they read (I really believe this
theme will come out guys)
(16, 21) Peer pressure affects us a lot (he didn’t want to go, but
went anyway because his brothers did)
(22) The way you look at certain groups of people is greatly affected
by how one person from the particular group treats you.
(23) Nature sometimes has a mind of its own.
(23) Material things are still important, no matter what people may
say.
(23) You grow very comfortable with things you are used to.
(26 and basically when he was talking to the fish) Even the most
lowly people (in this case, fish) can help you and be your friend.
(Don’t judge a book by its cover, here it is)
(27) A house divided unto itself will not stand. (Notice how the fish
all tried to outdo each other and no one wound up being
understood)
(38) Do unto others as you want others to do unto you.
(47) Talkative people tend to be much to listen to.
(50 and the trying to give birth scenes) A mother will sacrifice
everything for her kids.
(51-52) Life is precious.
(53) We tend to try to block out all the evil in our lives.
(55) Everything starts with a decision and/or All it takes is willpower.
(56) Sometimes kindness isn’t appreciated.
(57) People tend to be hostile toward strangers.
(58) Sometimes, a willing ear is all the people need.
(56-58) Help those in need, even if they’re strangers.
(59) Sometimes, we can’t avoid putting ourselves above others.
(60) Our material possessions only weigh us down. Learn to let go.
(61) Caution is very important before proceeding.
(61) Sometimes, we have to do the dirty work that we don’t want to
do but is necessary.
(64) Time passes and that’s unavoidable.
(67) Priorities change as one grows older.
(69-70) There can be too much of a good thing/Kindness can be
redundant.
(71) Out with the old, in with the new.
(72) Rejection, especially when unexpected, often leaves us
wondering what to do.
(83-85) We are often faced with the dilemma of personal success vs.
greater good.
(86-88) Familial love is the greatest love of all.
(96-97) The past is over, move on.
(98-99) Priorities change based on one’s experiences.
(100) Sometimes you just have to let life take over.

Ok, so if the old woman really was the Coral Crone, then the brother
succeeded without realizing it. Since the ending is sort of open-
ended, the best I can make of it is that the middle prince gave up on
his quest (even though he actually won), and that the old woman is
a symbol of a new chapter in the middle prince’s life. The middle
prince, I think, realized what was truly important to him.