Isabela State University- Main Campus

Echague, Isabela

Marc Darwin T. Carag Contemporary Philippine Literature

MAEd-English 1 Dr. John Cabansag

STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF FAITH, LOVE, TIME AND DR LAZARO”

Written by Gregorio C. Brillantes.

Gregorio C. Brillantes, a Palanca Award Hall of Famer and a multi-

awarded fiction writer, is one of the Philippines' most popular writers in
English. Known for his sophisticated and elegant style. He often writes about
individuals under thirty, adolescent or post adolescent ones who struggle with
alienation from family, society and from themselves. His earlier collection of
short stories earned him the title of the "Catholic Writer". (Goodread)

The story revolves on the life of a Doctor who wants his son to follow in
his footstep. But Ben wants to be in religious sector as he dreams to be a priest
not a Doctor like his aging dad. Unfortunately, he committed suicide.

The sophisticated and elegant style mentioned in the first paragraph can
be observed in Brillante’s choice of words. Not only the language itself but the
ideas and description of characters and scenes leads the readers to experience
such sophistication and elegance.
“ From the upstairs veranda, Dr. Lazaro had a view of stars, the country
darkness, the lights on the distant highway at the edge of town. The phonograph
in the sala played Chopin – like a vast sorrow controlled, made familiar, he had
wont to think. But as he sat there, his lean frame in the habitual slack repose
took after supper, and stared at the plains of night that had evoked gentle
images and even a kind of peace (in the end, sweet and invincible oblivion). “
 This except from the story alone proves how the author plays with
the language well in expressing his ideas and how he effectively employed
sensory images which makes the scene in the story more appealing to readers
imagination.
The setting of the story as revealed in the text itself is in a typical
town in a rural area. As seen in the text “They reached the sleeping town, the
desolate streets, the plaza empty in the moonlight, and the dhuddled shapes of
houses, the old houses that Dr. Lazaro had always know. How many nights had
he driven home like this through the quiet town.” This except also reveals the
nature of Dr. Lazaros’ work nature, a barrio doctor who committed himself in
helping the poor in far-flung areas.
The Literary technique MORAL/PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH -
Moral/philosophical critics consider that the larger cause of literature is to
train morality and to probe philosophical issues. The tale consists of classes
on morality. In the tale it shows that Dr. Lazaro is emotionally and goal
detached, as required by means of his profession. As human we constantly
have a tendency responsible God on the things that happened in our lives
mainly the poor one and it normally ends in lose our religion to God. At the end
of the tale time already exist inside the existence of Dr. Lazaro as his son Ben
open his religion to God again. The author includes the following theme in his
story: "Time is short, make the most out of it and don't lose hope/faith in God.
Everything has its reasons." The author used distinctive style in his attempt to
integrate such themes through the characters and their characterization. The
characters are locked in their past, the character blames God because of what
is happening.

The faith, love, time and Dr. Lazaro tells the reader that there could be things
in a person's life that would make him lost his faith to God and how one would
want to devote his life serving God.

The story demonstrates that for certain things that had happened in Dr.
Lazaro's life like losing his son and because of his profession he questioned the
existence of God. In spite of the fact that his wife is a religious and devoted
person he seemed not to believe in God. Even the fact that his son, Ben,
wanted to be a priest he still questioned the church and its teachings.
Symbolism

“Darkness/Night”- the story begins with the “country darkness” which

symbolizes the lost of faith of Dr. Lazaro

“Sacred Heart”- symbolizes the faith of Mrs. Lazaro and its religion which is
Catholic.

“Mother of Perpetual Help”- symbolizes the faith and religion of the Esteban's
family. Even though they are poor but the faith they have is bigger than them
for they accepted the fate of their child.

“Light”- the main symbol in the story because it was mentioned many times.

“A bus roared around a hill toward, its lights blinding him, and he pulled to the
side of the road, braking involuntarily as a billow of dust swept over the car”

-redeeming the faith of Dr. Lazaro

"Lazaro" - as a boy's name has the meaning "God is my help" and is a variant of
Lazarus (Hebrew), biblical name: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Point of view

Here are some lines in the story that would explain:

-Limited Third Person Point of View

-The events in the story seen only through Dr. Lazaro’s eyes

-Readers are able to enter the mind of Dr. Lazaro

-Openness to reflections and opinions