Literary Analysis

Small People: The Cemetery Keeper

Written by: Regino L. Gonzales Jr.

The story is a short fiction which took place in a small town on Danao where
Steve lived and grew up where it’s being engulfed by a disease called Smallpox
(came from the variola virus). Regino wrote the fiction Small People: The
Cemetery Keeper in 2008 where during his times, it reminded to himself that
before the 1950s, a disease broke out where it did not had any sustainable health
services were very lackluster in places and could only be held acquirable in a
much larger cities with numerous chances for treatment.

The purpose of the story being written is to show the full life documentary of
Steve and shows in what it feels like in being neglected and judged by the society
due to his unnatural and disturbing presence that he involuntarily emitted from
the Smallpox disease which caused parts of his skin to damage and left
pockmarks as the aftermath.

Leading to the main idea of the story where the main character of the fiction will
show the tendency to overcome all the negative insights that he has encountered
during his teenage years and how he was able to live up to the expectations of
others by pure dedication and hard work.

The message of the story in which the author would like us to “take away” is that
this particular story tells us that not all people can be judgemental or prejudicial.
It’s only a matter of perspective where people judge based on what they see
outside and not on the inside of a person as kind as Steve. As long as the moment
you set your eyes on the right path.

Characters included Steve, or Esteban as one might call his real name as the main
character of the story. The persecutors or the town’s machos who gave the main
character a hard time as the main antagonists. The priest of the catholic church
in danao, Father Alcoseba, remains the same due to its status of being a priest
has not changed since. And Lastly the persecutors, also the antagonists of the
story, may also undergo changes in the story due to the main character’s action.

The author or writer employs a distinctive literary device in the portion of the
story "The Cemetery Keeper" where Steve is described. The story contains the
literary device simile because he uses the word "like" to compare Steve's face to
the surface of the moon.

The tone of the paragraph changes over time. For example, in the third
paragraph, the author's tone is cruel because it describes how Steve experienced
unfair treatment in their community because of his condition. He became the
butt of jokes, and some teenagers invented funny tales about his condition, which
is having a pockmarked face caused by a disease called smallpox that spread
from an outbreak of ailments in their community.
In the falling action, the tone becomes inspirational because of how Steve stands
on his own two feet and has a decent life. Also, in the final section, which is the
denouement, the author's tone becomes sentimental as he recalls memories of
him and Steve while still in Danao, their hometown, and how he feels about Steve
finding his wife, having children, finding his calling, being able to change his
humiliating nickname, and lastly, knowing that "Steve, the Cemetery Keeper,"
was keeping an eye on the peace of his ancestors' final resting place.

The point of view in this piece is from the author who writes the story, because
of the clues 'I', which means the point of view was from the first person, who is
the author.

The internal conflict or Steve's challenges on his own was his condition, which
was his pockmarked face, which caused his problem and is the reason why teens
or certain others in their community tease, bully, and make fun of him, as well as
his current state in life. The external conflict, on the other hand, was the people
in his community who humiliated him.

The plot comprises the major happenings in the novel "The Cemetery Keeper"
and might help the reader understand the story better.

EXPOSITION:
Smallpox infected several Danao residents, including Steve. Smallpox left
pockmarks on his face while he was in his teens. Steve was given the name
Esteban. The younger residents of town nicknamed him Steve, while the elderly
residents addressed him by his full name. Steve faced discomfort throughout his
youth and adulthood owing to his pockmarked skin and a nickname in the slang
that translates to "Pockmarked Steve." Steve's face was covered with craters that
resembled the moon's surface. When he was among friends and coworkers, Steve
was frequently the center of jokes and hilarious stories. There were remarks that
Steve had a face that even a mother couldn't love, as well as a humorous
expression that could make a thousand people laugh.
RISING ACTION:
Steve made a living by doing side jobs that few people wanted, volunteering, and
honestly practicing his Christian religion. He excavated latrines and cemeteries,
as well as sold candles and coffins. Many of the town's citizens admired him for
some of the voluntary chores and services he performed. He was virtually always
one of the first to offer sympathies and support to a bereaved family, and he was
frequently present during prayers and wakes for the dead. He always
volunteered and performed as a jester on stage during social occasions, profiting
from his horribly pockmarked face.
CLIMAX:
On one particular occasion, Steve developed a way. He passed through a bunch of
burly guys who were drinking and cracking jokes with their male and female
friends. One began to make light of his pockmarked face, getting chuckles from
his buddies. Steve approached the man gently, quickly grasped his shoulders,
and pressed and rubbed his pockmarked face into the other's. As the guy
attempted to get free from Steve's clutches, the ladies laughed, and the guys
screamed with laughter. Steve played the joke at every opportunity. And men
grew wary when he was around. He's gotten fewer and fewer insults and jokes
since then. My friends and I met and spoke with Steve a few times and found him
to be a really polite and dignified individual. He addressed us as 'Lads,' an
indication of respect for younger people in Danao. He was often curious about
how close we were to finishing our education.

FALLING ACTION:
A few years after graduating, I relocated to Manila, which at the time was
equivalent to transferring from the Philippines to another country. When
Grandmother Crispina died, I returned to Danao for her funeral and ran with
Steve again during Grandmother's wake. "How are you doing, lad? " How's it
going?" he wondered. I gave him a friendly grin and whispered some niceties.
When my grandma was laid to rest, I observed Steve assist in lifting and lowering
her coffin to the concrete grave.
RESOLUTION:
Father Alcoseba had previously employed Steve to care for the Catholic
cemetery, and he had found a loving wife, built a little house on a lot fronting the
cemetery, and had children. Steve ultimately discovered his purpose and was
able to shed his embarrassing nickname. I left Danao knowing that "Steve, the
Cemetery Keeper," was watching after my relatives' final resting place.

SUBMITTED BY:
VILLAMOR, CHERIS M.
AGUILAR, GIAN M.

SUBJECT TEACHER:
MS. IMIE MANZANO