Short Story Analysis

“The World is an Apple” is a short story in which Albert S. Florentino, the author, presents a

living a successful life. Albert S. Florentino was born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines on July 28,

1931, the second of seven children of Alberto San Buenaventura and Maria Rivera Sanqueza.

The young Bert used to type multiple copies of his father’s plays, an activity that helped usher

Bert into playwriting. Later, as a 23-year-old accounting student at the University of the East,

Bert wrote the one-act play, The World Is an Apple, which won the Carlos Palanca Award. He

dropped out of accounting and went on to write plays, four more of which won Palanca Awards:

The Cadaver; The Dancers; Cavort with Angels; and Oli Impan. Mario, Florentino`s main

character, experienced being obedient to his wife`s decisions because he loved her wife and

daughter despite of being controlled by his wife. Mario is jobless because he got fired in his

work a week ago and here is Gloria, Mario`s wife. Gloria is a wife who asks for nothing but a

good life for her family. And here is Pablo, Mario`s most reliable and great friend who is always

ready to help.

Mario was sitting on the bench and suddenly Gloria called to him to go inside the house.

Gloria asks Mario for money to buy food for their daughter, but Mario doesn't give money and

suddenly Gloria wonders why Mario doesn't give money. However, Mario kept telling a lie, but

Gloria doesn’t believe it and gets mad at Mario not knowing that Mario got fired at his job.

Mario explains what really happen on his job, Gloria was very upset to him when she found out

that the reason why Mario got fired is because he bought an apple and hide it on his lunch bag.

Besides, Mario had a good reason why did he do that, its because of her daughter, Tita wants the

apple so much that’s why when he saw it, he immediately took it and thought he would take it
home for her daughter. But for Gloria that is bad idea because that’s too selfish and he put

himself in danger. And they started to fight and screamed at each other when suddenly came, it

was Pablo a great friend of Mario. Pablo came to their house to pick up Mario to go in his new

job, and Gloria was so shocked because she didn’t know about this.

Though “why would Mario keep a secret to his wife?” and what was the reason why Mario

didn’t tell his wife that he is going to work far away and will be gone for a long time. Its because

Mario knew that his wife would not agree with the decisions he made, that's why he kept it a

secret. Gloria tried to stop her husband, but he was determined in his decision because he was

not only doing it for her but for the whole family. And she can no longer control her husband`s

decision because he has learned from his life experience. Mario leaves and finally go to his new

work.

Therefore, gloria could do nothing but to cry and her daughter inside joins her crying as

well. In that case you must remember to yourself when you enter a married life you must be open

to each other and never restrict or control each other wants and decision in life because this is

where the toxic relationship begins so you must do the give and take strategy and have a deep

understanding to each other to avoid arguments.

Mario experienced being obedient to his wife`s decision because he love her wife and

daughter very much. Despite of being controlled by his wife. In the end Mario finally has a

freedom to make his own decision in life without asking permission for his wife.