Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lit Crit
Lit Crit
KRISTELL C. LAGARDE
MAED-ELT
EDUC 220
“Summer Solstice” is a short story that has received recognition both critical and
praising. Written by Nick Joaquin, the story takes place in 1850s Philippines during the festival
days of St. John. There is a pro-woman feel to the story, which has garnered a lot of debate and
CHARACTERS
Donya Lupeng Moreta – the married woman having three children and the senora and
master of the house which Amada and Entoy is working and serving for
Guido – the cousin of Don Paeng who was gone from Europe
St. Paul University Dumaguete
Dumaguete City
Plot
Summary
Dona Lupeng a married woman who desires to be adored by his husband. They are a
wealthy family, they have a carriage driver named Entoy and a maid named Amada. Dona
Lupeng saw Amada on Entoy’s room acting crazy. Amada was forbidden to attend the festival
known Tadtarin, a three days festival that women celebrate the ritual of fertility. While the
family is enjoying St. John festival Dona Lupeng didn’t noticed Paeng’s cousin Guido in the
crowd. Paeng’s young cousin Guido returns back to the Philippines after studying from Europe.
St. Paul University Dumaguete
Dumaguete City
Dona Lupeng and Guido are talking about the festival, after Guido giving suggestive
comments to Dona Lupeng, she disagrees with Guido, as she is about to leave Guido grab her
foot and kissed her toes. Dona Lupeng look at him with disgust. Inside the carriage Dona Lupeng
and her husband Don Paeng are talking about how Guido annoyed Dona Lupeng, she disagrees
with his husband about Guido’s actions towards her, while they are talking Dona Lupeng found
herself intrigued by the attention of Guido; as she realise that he was correct in saying that
women should be enrapture and men should adore them. While Dona Lupeng is in the sofa Don
Paeng talks to her, Dona Lupeng who never experienced going to the Tadtarin ask his husband if
she can go, after arguing Don Paeng allowed her and accompany her. Dona Lupeng ignored his
Once the dancing begun Don Paeng tries to claim his wife, but she runs from him to the
women. As Paeng tries to take her back the women in the crowds beat him out, leaving him
powerless. As the two return home, Paeng says he must whip his wife because he loves her and
feels that she needs to be put in her place. To this, Dona Lupeng and Don Paeng is arguing, Dona
Lupeng doesn’t want to be respected but wants to be adored. In the end Dona Lupeng won and
Don Paeng adores her wife, Dona Lupeng orders him to kiss her feet.
Why do people frown on taking pictures when there are three people in the photo? Why
some say that it isn’t okay to sing while cooking and why shouldn’t people change seats at the
table while eating? Why do they say that a single guy should not agree to become a godfather to
a wedding? Why do people knock on wood, make the sign of the cross, or cross their fingers to
St. Paul University Dumaguete
Dumaguete City
Why are Filipinos so superstitious? Being a Filipino whose family observe Catholic
practices, I objectively assess our fascinating and sometimes absurd society in terms of
superstitious practices. It is good for us to know the story of Nick Joaquin which is entitled
"THE SUMMER SOLSTICE". In the story, we will understand how people depend their life
towards rituals and its part of their culture. I have realized that mostly of the people may prefer
rituals as a means of solutions to their problems because in some ways rituals give good benefits
to them. For now, rituals are considered as superstitious belief because not everyone follows it
now. There are times rituals are the means of curing illness mostly accepted by people in the
boondocks but now these are ignored by people in this modern world.
In addition, according to bright hub education the themes in the summer solstice are St.
John’s and Tatarin Festivals – The St. John’s festival is about men and their fertility, which
seems quite vulgar to Lupeng and makes her start to realize how she wishes women could be
seen in the same way. The Tatarin festival is the exact opposite, showing women as leaders of
fertility since they carry children. This festival is the last trigger to make Lupeng feel as though
she is stronger than a man and deserves adoration.The theme is predominant because it definitely
calls attention to the empowerment of the woman over the man and also the dominance of the
The Summer Solstice main theme shows the unequal treatment between man and woman.
Man is the superior than woman, as what the middle of the story tried to emphasize. The
reflection and biographical study in this short story is empowering women as we see them in the
St. Paul University Dumaguete
Dumaguete City
same way like men do. It shows that women rather than to be respected they want also to be
adored by men.
References
10.2307/3847929
Admin. (2019, April 29). The Feminist Approach of Nick Joaquin's TheSummer Solstice
https://youmademydayphotography.com/the- feminist-approach-of-nick-joaquins-
thesummer-solstice-i/
St. Paul University Dumaguete
Dumaguete City
BY ANNE BRADSTREET
"To My Dear and Loving Husband" is a poem by the Colonial American poet Anne
Bradstreet. The poem was first published in 1678, as part of Bradstreet's posthumous
collection Several Poems. Bradstreet was the first poet—and the first woman—in colonial
America to write and publish a book of poems. The poem is autobiographical and describes the
passionate love between the speaker and her husband. The speaker describes that love as pure
and redemptive. The poem thus implicitly argues against some religious poets who describe love
If ever two were one, then surely we. Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee. My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
I prize thy love more than whole mines of Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
gold,
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
St. Paul University Dumaguete
Dumaguete City
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. happier than them for I am married with a
Claiming that if any two hearts in the because the nature of my love for you is
history of marriages have ever been bonded such that I feel I can never get enough.
together as though they were one person, Beyond blessed for you loved me, the
then surely she and her husband are bonded blessing I could never recompense. With
together in this deep and intimate way. that, I hope God bless you with countless
Reassuring her own love and commitment, a rewards you deserve. So, while we're alive,
great claim and confidence that she loves her let's stay so true to each other so that when
husband as much as any woman has ever we die, we will live forever.
“Broken Road”
By Kristell C. Lagarde
Gone are those times
My past seems so worth it, for God led me For you came
to you…
And you value my totality.
every day.