HOW MY BROTHER LEON

BROUGHT HOME A WIFE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR...
MANUEL E. ARGUILLA (1911-1944)

He was born on June 17, 1911 in

Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union to
parents Crisanto Arguilla, a farmer
and Margarita Estabillo a potter.

He was an Ilokano writer And he is

know for his short history “How My
Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife”.
Which won first prize in the
Commonwealth Literary Contest in
1940.
 He studied at University of the Philippines where he finished BS
Education in 1993.

He married Lydia Villanueva, another talented writer in English.

Arguilla secretly organized a guerrilla intelligence unit against the

Japanese.

In October 1944 at the age of 33,he was captured, tortured and

executed by the Japanese army at Fort Santiago
 CHARACTERS &
CHARACTERIZATION
Characters Role Characteristics
Obedient,
Baldo Narrator of
naive and
the story and
the younger innocent
brother of
Leon

Leon The older Responsible,

brother of gentle and
Baldo who loving
brought home husband.
a wife.
Characters Role Characteristics
Beautiful,
Maria The wife of
supportive,
Leon who grew
up in a city. creative and
loving wife.

Labang A bull whom A hardworking

they consider "pet
as a pet. The
one who
brought Leon
& Maria home.
Characters Role Characteristics
The one who The mildest
"Father nstructed Baldo tempered and
on what he will most gentle
do while he is on man.
the road with
Leon and Maria.

Aurelia Leon and Timid.

Baldo's
younger sister.
SETTING
The setting of the story is in
Nagrebcan, Leon's hometown. It
takes place in the farm where
people usually ride a carabao.
The place was called La Union
Province.
 TRIVIA
La union Its name which means "the union" or "the united" in Spanish

Region 1 was first inhabited by the aboriginal negritos before they

were pushed by successive ways of Malay/Austronesian
immigrants that penetrated the narrow coast. From the date of
population distribution of region 1, one third are nonIlocos who live
in this region.
 We all know that region one is also called I locos region
but it is a popular misconception. At present day Vigan city
in Ilocos Sur province became bishopric seat of Nueva
Segovia. And many president of the Philippines came from
Region 1: Elpidio Quirino, Ferdinand Marcos and Fidel Ramos.
As time goes by Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,Pangasinan and La
Union are the provinces in Region 1.
 CONFLICT
MAN vs. SOCIETY
Leon was worried about what others
would say to Maria. It's hard to know
whether the people hav epositive r
negative impression towards Maria
(a city girl) and most of all if
Nagrebcan can accept Maria as the
wife of Leon.
PLOT
The story begins with the couple’s arrival in the village. They
are greeted by Leon’s brother Baldo who brings their bullock
cart to take them home.

He changes the normal route for a tougher and rougher

route so that she may have no doubts about the tough
reality and massive change of lifestyle that she has
undergone fir their marriage.
The inciting action was when Maria stepped down from the
Caretella of Ca Celin with a quick delicate grace. She look
lovely and tall. She looked up to Leon with smile and her
forehead was on level of his mouth.

The rising action also was when they took the dry bed of
Waig as a substitute of passong the Camino Real and it was
the wish of their father to go by Waig.
Maria faced challenges. One of the good examples is when
Maria was being tested if she gets easily irritated or not if she
holds Labang. Also, when she rides on a cart beacuse she
wear a high heels when she chose to pass by Waig rather
than Camino Real. Lastly, when Maria and Leon and sang
together the song "Sky Sown of Stars and when Leon asked
her if she missed her city life because Maria decided to live
or start a new life with Leon in province.
It all came to an end where Leon was searching for his father
and his mother told them that his leg is bothering him again.
Baldo crossed the threshold of his father and asked him
about Maria. Afterwards, the door reopened and wherein
Leon& Maria came in. Maria looked at Baldo so lovely and
went out to water Labang which his father told him.
It all came to an end where Leon was searching for his father
and his mother told them that his leg is bothering him again.
Baldo crossed the threshold of his father and asked him
about Maria. Afterwards, the door reopened and wherein
Leon& Maria came in. Maria looked at Baldo so lovely and
went out to water Labang which his father told him.
They reach home and are welcomed by their mother and
sister. Their father waits in his room to hear from Baldo about
the journey and regarding the conduct of the new bride. In
the end, the family accepts Maria as its new member and
Maria accepts them as her new home.
MORAL LESSON AND VALUES
We should respect and accept one's life.
Social status is not a hindrance if you truly love each other. Meeting
your special someone to your family is the right thing to do.
One may have to surrender a small part of one's life in order to be
happy. In the story, Leon arrived with his wife in the country
meeting Leon's brotherfor the first time. They took a surprising
route home for Leon, but it was meant as a test for the wife to see
if she could endure the sacrifices she made and meet her new
family. The entire story serves as a test for the wife. Each test was
to show whether the woman could indeed live with strangers all for
love.
The story highlights the value of togetherness and family. It speaks
about loving and caring for each other. This entails and
necessitates the ability and willingness to sacrifice selfish desires or
even comforts to make your loved ones happy.
The story praises the ability to adapt to new circumstances and
being positive to change and growth. It talks about overcoming
hardships and fears and ultimately in finding peace and happiness
in each other’s betterment and well being.
Another message of the story is not judging people based on
appearances and giving them space to express themselves and
accept them for their differences. It also celebrates a conservative
and simple lifestyle over luxurious and ostentatious ways.
THEME

The theme of 'How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife'

To endure journey sacrifices is necessary. In order to
achieve success we must be strong enough, show
determination, be patient on whatever difficult event or
situation you must have to sacrifice just to be happy.

CULTURAL IMPLICATION

Focuses on the culture clash or the setting shift when

someone from the barrio or city is transported to the
other. The oncept is distinctly Filipino but esentially
global. People outside of the Metro wish to tavel, snd to
a greater extent, live in the modernist capital and
beacuse it is widely believed that they'll find greater
pleasures and successes there. In other words, it
borders on a "for greener pasture"idea or immigratiion
issues.

THANK YOU!