Introduction: Ceasar Janli Sustiguer Body 3: Ariel Josh Huesca

Body 1: Czarina Denisse Balansag Body 4: Milky Tiongson

Body 2: Rania Amil Conclusion: Carlo Luis Ferrer

March 13, 2020 11 STEM – Kamel

The Wedding Dance: A Sociological Critique

“The sociological imagination enables us to grasp the history and biography and the

relations between the two within society. This is its task and its promise” (Mills, C. W., 1959).

This meant that these factors play a huge part in the sociological approach. According to the

quote itself, it states that sociological criticism does not only focus on the text on a specific angle,

but must look deeper into some connections of the text within the society itself and how the text

reflects the background of the writer or the history of their origin, as they put it in a context

culturally, and politically. The short story entitled “The Wedding Dance” by Amador Daguio,

showed the struggles of Awiyao and his wife Lumnay as a couple who can't bear a child, and how

they were left with no choice but to conform with their community’s cultural practices. It

presented different cultures, beliefs, and issues in the text that the author composed. Some lines

and scenes portrayed views on traditional expectations for men and women, their beliefs, the

issue with the perception of elders being right, and activism.

The sociological approach deals with culture and societal issues and no doubt, the story

tackled the traditional expectations for men and women which both pertain to the customs of

which the tribe of Awiyao and Lumnay has for men and women like them and the issue about

gender equality nowadays. In their tribe, it is of paramount importance to bear a child to be able

to have someone to make their name live on up to the present, continuity of their family's legacy,

and for the means of inheritance. However, in the case of Awiyao and Lumnay, 7 years have
passed and they still weren't able to have children. Thus, Awiyao needed to marry another woman

so that he may abide by their unwritten law and that he won't be looked down upon by other

men. Such is pointed out here: “ ‘Lumnay,’ he said tenderly. ‘Lumnay, if I did this it is because of

my need for a child. You know that life is not worth living without a child. The men have mocked

me behind my back. You know that.’ ” This exemplifies the traditional expectations for men which

do not only occur long ago but until the present. Men are faced with all sorts of expectations such

as being the family's breadwinner and capable of protecting them. In the story, it can be

concluded that women are expected to give men children and when they aren't capable of that,

they must allow their husbands to remarry. This only proves how cultural practices have given an

enormous impact on gender roles. Gender equality is a prevalent issue because of the gender

roles the society has set for men and women. Through the sociological approach, social issues

are put to light because this perspective allows readers to analyze a literary work through the

cultures introduced and the contemporary issues that can be drawn from the text. The Wedding

Dance showed how non-negotiable traditions can be such as the traditional expectations for men

and women and how it aimed to emphasize the issue of gender equality creatively through stories

that surely grab the attention of people.

Additionally, it is in the nature of elderly people to believe and apply cultural traditions

wherein the younger ones are obliged to follow what the elders want them to do. There are

instances where it is because they have lived longer that they were able to gather experiences

born out of hardship that makes the youngsters think they should follow their footsteps to

preserve this tradition out of respect and because of that certain reason the perception of elders

as being right is always present, some elderly ideas are not applicable in the current society but

considering its part of the culture neglecting it won’t be an option either since it would be an act

of disrespect. This sociological problem affects plenty of people especially in the modern world
where everything changes through time. As the line goes in the text, “ ‘The elders will scold you.

You had better go’ ...Suddenly she found courage. She would go to the dance. She would go to

the chief of the village, to the elders, to tell them it was not right.” It is evident in the story that

most people think that the elders are always right and that their choices should always be

pursued. It may be because of the dignity that they show and the impact they have on the society

wherein clearly, they have experienced a lot compared to the ones younger than them. They

strictly necessitate to follow the tradition of their culture even though, for some, it would be

inappropriate and may cause pain to the ones affected like the character Lumnay. However, even

though there are circumstances like Lumnay’s, it is not enough to turn it around because people

are most likely to believe or fulfill traditions in honor of the culture that they have. Relating this

text to real life, this can be seen in a sociological approach, the perception of elders always being

right can sometimes be a cause of difficulties in life and also causes issues in society.

Aside from the aforementioned points, this story also depicted another cultural aspect of

the tribe such as the beliefs to their god. The beliefs and practices of each and every society of

the indigenous people have manifested through the celebration of rituals and ceremonies which

embody human perception from ancient times to present day into tribal world. This practice has

been embedded in their tradition and has developed historically that the tribe must offer various

types of animals that are made to complete the worship. This belief which is called "Animism", is

a common phenomenon among tribes to appease or maintain favor with a deity (Bolinger, H.,

n.d). Therefore, the cultural belief among the tribe consists of their life cycle rites, communal

rites, and worship practices along with their ancestral worship practices. Moreover, this aspect

can be observed in this line of the story, “ ‘I have prayed to Kabunyan much. I have sacrificed

many chickens in my prayers’.” It is truly evident in this line that the lives of animals or humans

were offered to Kabunyan during prayers for a higher purpose as an act of propitiation. In this
line from the story, as well, introduced the belief of Lumnay to their god, “ ‘I will pray that

Kabunyan will bless you and Madulimay’.” In connection with the sociological approach, it is

evident that tribal culture influences people's beliefs and behaviors. This approach asserts that

people have faith because beliefs make sense insofar as they hold value and are comprehensible.

Hence, this cultural practice is a key concept in the sociological approach.

Moreover, activism is an action that aims to bring about changes in our society on behalf

of a cause. While the definition of activism may lead to the subjectivity of its ethical nature, it has

historically lead to the opposing of racism, the impeachment of dictators, the protection of the

environment, equality for women, and many favorable changes in our society (Martin, B., 2007).

However, there are a lot of people who oppose this practice and discourage and shame those

who seek positive transformations in communities where injustices prevail. This reality is reflected

in the literary construction of the narrative with the following lines: “ ‘It is not right. It is not right!’

she cried. ‘How does she know? How can anybody know? It is not right,’ she said. Suddenly she

found courage. She would go to the dance. She would go to the chief of the village, to the elders,

to tell them it was not right. Awiyao was hers; nobody could take him away from her. Let her be

the first woman to complain, to denounce the unwritten rule that a man may take another

woman... Her heart warmed to the flaming call of the dance; strange heat in her blood welled

up, and she started to run. But the gleaming brightness of the bonfire commanded her to stop.

Did anybody see her approach? ” It is evident in the story that Lumnay recognized that her

separation with Awiyao on the basis that she was infertile is wrong and she wanted to change

that rule in her attempt to approach the leaders of her tribe. However, she ultimately chose to

cease her pursuit towards the fulfillment of her cause when the gleaming brightness of the bonfire

commanded her to stop. The radiance of the bonfire can be interpreted as a symbol of society

pressuring Lumnay to surrender and to accept the err directives of her community. Looking
through a sociological perspective, the opposition of activism present in the text reflects a reality

in the real world which makes this notion well suited in interpreting the text.

This paper had discussed four points that support the claim that the sociological approach

is the most appropriate perspective in interpreting “The Wedding Dance.” The first among the

claims is that the story shows how the traditional expectations for men and women compel them

to comply with what is expected of them regardless of what they want and of their capacity to

meet these demands. Secondly, the text tries to address the err notion that the elderly are always

right and that the generation that comes after them should still adopt and practice what they

deem is right without question. Thirdly, it is present in the story that cultural tenets can determine

the beliefs and behaviors of people as they hold value and are comprehensible. Lastly, the reality

of society opposing and discouraging activism and forcing people to accept and conform to the

status quo is reflected in the text. In light of the above-given, it can be concluded that the

sociological approach is the one best suited in analyzing the work.

 References

Mills. C. W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination.

Retrieved March 11, 2020, from https://sites.middlebury.edu/utopias/files/2013/02/The-

Promise.pdf

Bolinger, H. (2019, June 6). What Is Animism? Definition and Examples.

Retrieved March 11, 2020, from https://www.christianity.com/wiki/cults-and-other-

religions/what-is-animism-definition-and-examples.html

Martin, B. (2007). Activism, social and political.

Retrieved March 11, 2020, from https://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/07Anderson.html