ASEAN Literature LITR102

Elements of Short Story

Tata Selo Story Map

Title: Tata Selo

Setting: The story was told at a prison, a municipal office, and a farmland.

Theme: The injustice of the underprivileged. The story stresses that there will be no
fairness between the rich and the poor. Nakapikit na mga mata, nakasaradong mga
tainga, nakatikom na mga bibig, maramot na mga kamay. Totoo nga palang "ang hustisya
ay para lang sa mayaman."

Characterization:
Tata Selo – He is the poor peasant who was sentenced to life in jail for murdering the
barangay captain, Kabesang Tano.
Kabesang Tano – He is the farmland's landowner and the barangay captain.
Presidente – He is the mayor of the town.
Tsip – He is the chief police officer who was once recommended by
Kabesang Tano.
Amang - He is a young farmer who believes in the side story of Tata Selo.
Saling - She is the only daughter of Tata Selo. A sick young girl who served as a
housemaid at Kabesang Tano's home.
Binatang mayaman - He is the young son of the richest landowner in San Roque, who
seems to be a powerful town leader who stands out among the crowd.

Plot and Structure

Conflict
It was a hot and sunny day, there was no wind blowing, and the dust was swaying when
Tata Selo was put and sentenced to life in jail. According to Tata Selo, the catastrophe
had happened when Kabesang Tano went to the farmland to see what Tata Selo was up
to. Kabesang Tano ousted Tata Selo and told him that the farmland will be taken over by
another farmer. Tata Selo pleaded, but Kabesang Tano retaliated with a cane. Tata Selo
stabbed Kabesang Tano and killed him accidentally. Following that, the yard of the
government house was filled as the news spread that Kabesang Tano had been killed by
Tata Selo.

Climax
It was about eleven o'clock in the afternoon when the mayor arrived at the municipal hall,
along with the police chief. They came from the Kabesang Tano's house. The mayor
decided to talk to Tata Selo and bring him to his office. Two policemen took Tata Selo to
jail. Tata Selo and the mayor had a conversation there. Tata Selo was trying to express
his point of view when the mayor abruptly stopped him, saying he fully knew what the
poor peasant was attempting to say. Despite Tata Selo's explanations and justifications,
nothing will change in his case since no one wants to hear his side story. The mayor told
Tata Selo that he would be put and sentenced to jail.

Resolution
The story was ended in a way that Tata Selo was holding to the railing and staring outside,
saying that everything has been taken from them. Hence, I guess it is a cliffhanging story
since the conflict was not fully resolved.

Narration and Point of View

The story revolves around Tata Selo's struggle for justice after being oppressed by those
with higher social status and fortune. Moreover, the story is delivered in the third person
and spoken by certain characters, showing their insights, thoughts, and experiences.

Style
The story is tragic and heartbreaking. It reveals society's inequity and injustice.