“The Virgin” by Kerima Pulotan

Psychological context:
Miss Mijares dedicated her younger life to her studies, taking care of her mother and her niece.
She was busy thinking of others, and that made her selfless. She had no time for herself,
particularly in finding her love life. When she reached her thirties, she became intimidating for
she is a professional and, at the same time, trying to mask her fragile insides. With this, her
childhood and past experiences molded her to become who she is now – shielding herself away
from anyone else.

Sociological and Religious context:

The title – “The Virgin” is about Miss Mijares, for indeed, she is a virgin. For thirty-four years of
living, she did not even touch a man, for she was busy taking care of her family. She is naïve and
does not know how to act or express her feelings towards the Carpenter. In the Philippines,
women are taught to preserve virginity, for it is sacred. Also, as a dominating Christian religion
country, it is prohibited to engage in such sexual practices not until married. Now, the society is
a judgment sphere in which virginity is a big deal. First, being a virgin at a young age is
something to be proud of, but when becoming older, it is ashamed of. Second, religion is like an
attachment to one’s culture, meaning it is already a way of life. Being a virgin outside marriage
in terms of religious context is the standard for women to be pure.

Political context:
Feminism is not a taboo in today’s time. However, in the story, it has a traditionalist perspective
about women for it depicts that women are dependent on men. Miss Mijares lacks happiness, and
then there is the Carpenter, which happened to be the man she has infatuation. By this, it tells
that a woman like Miss Mijares needs a man like the Carpenter to feel complete and happy,
where in fact, she does not even need a man in the first place. She became emotionally attached
to the Carpenter, without even thinking if she loves herself first. She spent her time dedicating
her younger years for others, to the point there was no self-priority. In order to love completely,
one should love themselves first.