A Psychological and Feministic Critique on “Morning in Nagrebcan”

By Manuel E. Arguilla

The story of Arguilla stresses the violence that can happen in any household to remind us that
there are still people who suffers from cruelty. The author wanted to express in his title that violence
doesn’t choose a day, it can happen at any time. With the use of detailed sequence of events the author
carefully described how a man’s shadow can devour him and cause chaos.

“Morning in Nagrebcan” revolves around the family in Nagrebcan, the conflict started when
Baldo and Ambo had a fight over a puppy, Baldo became possessive over the dog which made Ambo’s id
to control his actions, he wanted to caress the puppy as well. They fought until one drops to the ground,
the urge of Ambo to caress the puppy after losing the fight made him pull the puppy’s tail and made it
bite his hand. Both of the kids felt frightened and tried to avoid informing their father due to his hot
temper but they were too late, their father saw what happened and dashed towards the kids. Their
father’s violence started to fill the house; he uses the dog as a reason to hurt his family as he thinks that
they’re the pests whom made his life miserable. Nana Elang didn’t hesitate to stop her husband as she
was also afraid of him, due to the behavior of his father, Baldo grew hate on him and it is seen how the
kids captured the violence of their father like how they acted throughout the story.

Tang Ciaco believed that he owns everything in their house and that he can do whatever he
wants to his family. The father portrays a strong patriarchy, from his words “I am king in my house” he
did not treat his wife as someone to be respected but as his slave who’ll forever be under his roof. It is
also described in the story how typical for a woman to stay inside the house, prepare for meals, and
does the house chores. The writer depicted women as someone who has less authority inside a house,
like in Nana Elang’s case where she cannot utter any single word to her husband nor protect her
children.

Such story is an eye-opener to everyone, that in our world violence will never perish as long as
there are people whose mindset’s limited to negativities and people will continue to suffer when they
will not take action for what is right for them.