Mid Term Literary Appreciation

The World of The Apple by Alberto S. Florentino

Settings

In the small and poor home behind a portion of the Intramuros walls. There are two wooden boxes
on either side of the doorway. At left is an Acacia tree with a wooden bench under it. It is where the
poor family lived in, and where the story starts on how life was going on and end in the complexity
of life in which the main character lived with no choice but to go back again with his old ways of life.

Character Analysis

Mario- He is the Father of the story, the husband of Gloria. He is known to be bad before but he
strive hard to change his life for her daughter and for her wife, but life sometimes is unfair that force
him with no choice to go back the old way of his life.

Gloria- She is the wife of Mario. The very good and lovable woman who just want a simple life yet
descent life. She is the reason why Mario changed because of her unconditional love to him.

Pablo- The evil man in the story, the protagonist, the old friend of Mario. He wants easy and
dishonest money, the life that Mario lived before.

Tita- Son of Mario and Gloria

Plot

This is a story of how wrong decisions become greater burdens to a family. Mario’s family happens
to be in the lower bracket of society. When Mario got home, Gloria saw Mario and she was asking
for some money to feed their children to Mario. Mario said that he have no money because he did
something.

Gloria didn’t believe on what Mario said and said to tell the truth. When Mario answered it, Gloria
was shocked on what she heard because Mario lost his job. Gloria asked Mario if how he lost his job
and Mario answered it and Gloria was shocked again because Mario said that he lost his job because
of an apple.

Gloria said that how can he lose his job by just taking one not a dozen not a crate but one apple and
Mario answered that he just saw it rolling and he found himself putting it in his bag because Tita
would love to have it, and Mario told Gloria that there’s no need to worry because he found a new
job.

Suddenly Pablo was there ruining the whole conversation and asked them if how is there daughter
doing and he’ll loan a few pesos to help their daughter and Gloria said that no thank you because
Mario stopped depending on Pablo. Pablo said that Mario’s new job was with Pablo. When Gloria
heard it he told Mario that it’s a bad doing and risky.
Mario didn’t listen and walks away with Pablo and told Gloria not to worry because he will come
back early morning and don’t wait for him. Gloria cries and shouting Mario, while Tita was crying
also because he heard the conversation.

Theme

The theme of the story is, it is man’s basic instinct that drives him towards his survival. But, no
matter what he should not forget that society expects him to confirm to its norms. One’s action is
weighed right or wrong and thus should be kept towards the proper action and his wrong decisions
become greater burdens to a family that symbolizes the word “Apple”.

Tone

The mood of the story is serious. It tackles many aspects of human flaws and what is wrong in the
culture. The story is sometimes sad but in the end, there’s a glimpse of hopefulness even though it is
in vain.

POV

The author used the Imagery and symbolic type of narration:

Mario: Why? Did God create apple trees to bear fruit for the rich alone? Didn’t He create the whole
world for everyone? That’s why I tried to bring the apple home for Tita. When we brought her into
this world, we promised her everything. She has the right to have everything in life.

Gloria: So, for just an apple, you lost a job you need so much?