A LITERARY ANALYSIS ON THE SHORT STORY ‘THE SUMMER OF MY 17TH

YEAR’ BY H.O. SANTOS

SUMMARY

Minda is a 16 year-old girl who finds difficulty in living life at her own terms. She is
always told what she should and shouldn’t do.

In the summer of 2002, Minda’s cousin John invited her to join him in picking up his
college friend who was visiting their island for the first time at the pier in Masbate. As he walked
down the plank, John pointed his friend to Minda. According to her, although he didn’t look too
different from the other passengers, there was something distinct about him. His name was Tim,
and he greeted John and spoke with him for a while before he saw Minda and greeted her.

Minda saw Tim the next morning as she stepped out the front door of her house. They
exchanged pleasantries and began chatting. Tim asked Minda if there was a mart close by where
there is cooked food, to which she responded by saying that the public market was a kilometer
away from where they were. Seeing as he has never eaten in a public market his entire life, he
invited Minda to accompany him. She was hesitant at first since John might be preparing
something for lunch and will not like it when he finds out they ate out, but ended up agreeing to
go with Tim.

As time went by, Minda started to develop feelings for Tim. John was having a party at
his house for Tim and Minda’s family was assigned to help out in preparing food for the
occasion. After doing her designated chores, Minda went to the beauty parlor to get her hair done
and wore a dress to look presentable at the party. She arrived earlier than the others so she could
have a quiet talk with Tim before more guests arrived. After chatting for a long time, she boldly
asked him if he had a girlfriend to which he said no and that if he will ever have a girlfriend, he
would want someone like Minda, and added that it was too bad she’s too young for him.

Minda was hardly able to see Tim for the past two days after the party due to her being
busy with helping her mother and him being toured around the island by John. She only sees him
in the evenings but never got to talk to him, and so she misses him very much.

When Minda came home the following night, she found a package from Tim waiting for
her. In it were a book of poems and his sunglasses, along with a note that said he was sorry for
not being able to see her before he left because he had to depart earlier than intended to escort
Christina, one of the attendees of Tim’s party who Minda disliked because of her attention-
seeking personality. Minda was devastated.

The following day, although Minda felt sad because she might not be able to get in touch
with or see Tim again, she decided not to mope around and feel sorry for herself and instead will
try to go about her day like normal.
PLOT

Exposition - It was hot in the middle of the summer in Masbate and in the morning John and
Minda waited for John's friend Tim at the pier and this was when Minda's met him for the first
time..

Rising Action - At the night of the party, Minda would have had an amazing night if the girl
called Christina did not come. Christina took control of the conversation of Tim and Minda
which resulted in Minda hating her more. Christina ruined the night for Minda.

Climax - Wednesday on April 10, 2002, Tim left a letter to Minda saying that he is leaving to go
to Manila with Christina. Tim could not refuse Christina and that's when Minda rushed to the
pier only to find out that ship was already sailing in the distance.

Denouement - Minda had regrets because she lost her chance to create memories with Tim. They
could have had done better things. If Christina was not there, Minda would’ve known more
about Tim.

Falling Action – Although it is hard for her, Minda tries to move on from Tim. She knows and
accepts the terrible feeling that they will never meet or see each other again.

CHARACTERS

Minda - a 16 year old girl who lived a life where everyone tells her what to do and what not to
do. She just graduated from high school and is planning to go to college at UP Los Baños.

Tim/Timoteo- John’s long lost friend that came from Los Angeles in America. John and Tim
were college friends, five years ago.

John- Minda’s older cousin and the son of a cattle owner in Masbate. He is the reason why John
and Minda met.

SETTING

The whole story revolves around the province of Masbate during the summer, the month
of April, during the year 2002. Also, the story tackled the city of Manila as it was the reason why
the summer of the protagonist became so lonely.

THEME

The theme of the story is young love and regret. Love, because as days went by, Minda
started to like Tim. She even made the effort of wearing a dress and getting her hair done for
Tim’s party. She wanted arrive early at the venue so she could talk to Tim. She felt regretful and
sad because she was not able to say how she felt for him and to bid him farewell before he left.

STYLE

First Person Point of View- The story is being narrated like a diary where the person who is
narrating is the main character of the story. The story goes on in the character’s main point of
view.
SYMBOLISMS

The most noticeable symbolism found in the short story is the package that Tim left for
Minda before he went away. The package could symbolize Tim’s appreciation and gratefulness
towards Minda for coming into his life and becoming a good friend to him. He leaves a box of
meaningful and personal things for Minda which shows a level of trust and deep appreciation for
their bond, even if their time together was short. The box could also symbolize the impact that
Tim had to Minda. For the first time, Minda felt free and finally had the choice on what she
wants to do rather than being told what to do. As evidenced when Minda dresses up pretty for
Tim not because she was forced to or told to do so, but rather because she wanted to do it. Now
that Tim has gone and she’s only left with the box he gaver her, it symbolizes the long-lasting
impact that Tim had on Minda’s life.

GROUP 2 MEMBERS:

ALI BAIG, NADIA

BRANZUELA, KYLE

DINGAL, DARYLL

GOMEZ, VINCENT

NARISMA, KRISTINE

ROSARIO, XANDER

VILLARDE, JHADE