Name: Lillian Valle Course & Year: BSED III – English

Course Subject: Survey of Philippine Topic: Works of Zoilo M. Galang

Literature in English
Course Instructor: Mrs. Joan Marie E.
Rebadomia

Period of Imitation: Writer on English Language

Zoilo Mercado Galang

 A Filipino prolific writer, novelist and historian from
Pampanga.
 He is credited as one of the pioneering Filipino writers
who worked with the English language.
 He is the author of the first Philippine novel written in the
English language titled, “A Child of Sorrow” , published in
1921.
 He wrote the following notable books:
a. “Life and Success” – first volume of Philippine
essays in English.
b. “Tales of the Philippines”, was the first collection of Philippine legends
and folk tales written in English.
c. “Encyclopedia of the Philippines” which he was writing at the time

“A Child of Sorrow”
By: Zoilo Galang

A Child of Sorrow, is a romantic novel is considered to be the

first novel written in English by a Filipino that was published in
1921. Modeled after popular nineteenth century romances
written in Spanish and Tagalog. Thus, the novel has 7 chapters
and 94 pages and was soon made adopted in television in year
1930.
The novel tells a typical setting of a Filipino love story. It was set
in a particular province or town in a time too far from the modern
setting where technology is abundant and dominant, but it manifests certain
characteristics of a love story which can still watched in televisions in the modern
times. The scenes in the story are still seen in the present times, though it has been
written in the past.
 I. Characters:

 Lucio Soliman
Lucio, the male protagonist, is a kind, intelligent, honest, and well-read man with an
amazing physique. He is patriotic and hard-working with admirable values. The love
of life of Rosa.
From the moment he had to be apart from Rosa, his outlook in life changed since he
was heartbroken. Still, he is a strong man, dedicated to serve other people, and
make them happy, without thinking about his own happiness.
He is a round and dynamic character.
 Rosa Garcia
Rosa, a kind-hearted female lead, charming, and simple girl who is known to be the
queen of Merry Town.
She is adored by her beauty and grace, but behind that, she had experienced
unfortunate things. Throughout the story, she was no longer cheerful and lively, but
instead, depressed and lonely and longing for the love that she lost.
The love of life of Lucio and the daughter of Felipa Garcia and Governpr Ismael.
She is also one of the dynamic and flat character.
 Camilo David
Camilo is Lucio's good, supportive and protective friend, who went to school with him
He is also kind and welcoming all throughout the story. The one who invited Lucio to
spent his summer vacation to his hascienda.
He is a flat character.
 Juan de la Cruz
Juan is depicted as patriotic and always defended his friends, with strong opinions
about societal issues, and is not afraid to voice them out. He is honest and never
kept a secret from his friends.
He is a round character.
 Governor Pancho Ismael
Pancho, one of the antagonists in this story, is a greedy, manipulative, corrupt, and
petty governor who only won because he blackmailed people.
He is a flat character and the hidden and legitimate or biological father of Rosa.
 Oscar Ramirez
Oscar is a flat character and also one of the antagonist in the novel.
He is selfish and reckless man who is close confidant of the governor and shared the
same foul traits as him.
  Benito Soliman
Benito is an old man who farmed in their land and is also a loving and supportive
father who never failed to look out for his son, Lucio.
 Felipa Garcia
Felipa is a middle-aged mother, who loves her daughter, Rosa, very much.

II. Setting
 The story was first set in Central Luzon, particularly Fertile Valley, the
hometown of Lucio.
 On one summer in the month of April.
 Followed by Merry Town, the town barrio of Camilo which was the
same place where he and Lucio spent their vacation days and where
he met his first love, Rosa.
 Manila, the land of opportunity, was also part of the setting, Lucio went
here to focus on making himself better.

III. Plot

i. Exposition/Rising Action
Lucio, after graduating, had not decided yet what to do. It was April
back then in Fertile Valley, where Camilo David had invited Lucio to
spend their vacation at his hacienda in Merry Town, Lucio decided to
come with Camilo after being convinced so hard. When they arrived at
Merry Town, Lucio was warmly welcomed by Camilo's family and the
people there. He also met few people including Governor Pancho
Ismael, the corrupt governor, Juan Dela Cruz, Oscar Ramirez, Felipa
Garcia, and her daughter. Rosa Garcia. Lucio was so interested in
Rose, he did nothing but to dream of her angelic face. He admitted that
he fell in love with her and confessed his feelings towards Rosa.
Luckily, Rosa felt the same way.

ii. Diversion
After Lucio's vacation was over, had to leave the town. Before they
parted they promised to love each other unconditionally. Lucio
promised Rosa that he would be back while Rosa assured Lucio that
she will wait for him. Lucio and Rosa met during several occasions like
Merry Town's Garden Day and there Governor Pancho Ismael and
Oscar Ramirez had noticed Lucio and disliked him instantly, Oscar
despised Lucio for he is together with Rosa. Oscar really liked Rosa
and did everything to pursue her, but unfortunately, Rosa did not give
him any chance because she deeply loves Lucio.
 iii. Climax
A news broke out that Rosa was getting married to Oscar. And Rosa
sent a letter to Lucio about canceling their engagement. He was
extremely saddened by the thought of not having her to spend the rest
of his lifetime anymore. But he continued his life and devoted his time
in his works, A few months later, at a carnival held in Manila. Lucio met
Rosa and talked to her. The camival ended indicating them to go on to
their separate ways.
On the night when Oscar and the Governor planned to persuade Felipa
to allow Rosa and Oscar to be married, Oscar did something inhumane
to Rosa leading him to married to Rosa. Then, Rosa’s misery
continued as she married Oscar. And so, Lucio was also in misery, but
continued his life.

iv. Dénoument/Falling Action

After a few months again, Lucio received news that Rosa is sick and at
the verge of death. He hurriedly went to Merry Town to see Rosa. As
he arrived, he rushed to Rosa's house. Rosa reminded him that he still
loves Lucio dearly and will continue to love him. Lucio assured her that
he felt the same. After the death of Rosa, few days later. Oscar also
died in his own hand. Lucio never forgets to visit Rosa's grave on her
death anniversary.

IV. Conflict
 The conflict of the story is person/ man versus himself. The characters
faced challenges in which they needed to decide for benefit of
themselves or for the benefit of others. Rosa was always in a position
to choose who to follow, her mother, who she had a duty to as family,
and Lucio, her love. In the end, Lucio told Rosa to follow her mother as
it was the right thing to do. Lucio, being a selfless man always chose
the happiness of other people over his

 Another conflict of the story/novel is man vs. society, for the characters
faced societal norms that both Lucio and Rosa had to follow.

V. Theme
 The novel shows various themes that a reader can relate to. Such as
love, acceptance and sorrow. It shows how powerful love can be yet,
it can also be destroyed easily. It is presented in the novel that love has
no distance. No matter how far that person is or even though you're
separated from each other, your love won't change. Moreover, sorrow
can be everlasting especially when you can't ask forgiveness to you
love ones. You will carry it for the rest of your life if you don't have the
courage to ask forgiveness.
 Acceptance is the key to freedom. Face the truth or reality that no
matter how boundless your love for that person, if you are not meant to
 be together, it will be the end of your love story In totality, life is a series
of challenges. You must be prepared to face consequences and twist
of loving person. Happiness is equivalent to sorrow and pain. Not all
love story has a happy ending. Learn to sacrifice and be hurt because
that's the true essence of love. The novel gives us so much to ponder
upon, lessons that we will be needing in trudging future's path of
uncertainties.
 Modeled after popular nineteenth century romances written in Spanish
and Tagalog. A Child of Sorrow is a classic coming of age tale
engaged with themes of friendship, desire, and the loss of
innocence.

VI. Moral
 "Sorrows in life will come and go, keep moving forward.”
In life, we experience ups and downs, and it is our choice if we will stay
affected by the downs we encountered. Time will never stop for us, we need
to keep moving forward to survive this world. Just like what Lucio did, he was
heartbroken by the end of the novel but he continued to live and learned to
accept the things going on in his life.

VII. Symbolism
Allegory
 The “Sampaguita” is considered a symbol of fidelity, purity, devotion,
strength and dedication. The name “Sampaguita” is a Spanish term
that comes from the Filipino words "sumpa kita," which mean I promise
you." Lucio and Rosa continued to love each other despite the sad fate
they encountered.
 The “Handkerchief-like Egyptian Amulet”, though were apart, they
were bonded by the mingled tears of each other as it symbolizes their
suffering. It was kept by Rosa believing that the bearer of it shall feel
no sorrow - he or she shall not want for happiness; for joy and love
shall always abide by with the bearer of the handkerchief while the
memory lasts.
Though Rosa doubted by asking that when the seats faded and only
the salt remained would it not be the sadder still? He explained that it is
like the Egyptian amulet that will protect them from misfortunes. But
think the opposite had happened, because most of misfortune
happened to Ross whilst success in carrier and lesser misfortune
happened to Lucio
 “The novel”, was not mere love story of Lucio and Rosa. It depicts
tradition, culture and multitude principles on different facet of life. Love
and Sacrifices; Obedience of a child to his or her parents; Judgement
and societal stereotyping: Injustice in Politics, Nationalism in their
speeches Poetics in their letters; Friendship; Courage in hardships,
Faithfulness in vows, Integrity in service, Dignity of a woman:
 Responsibility of a man, Sacredness of marriage, Spiritual Faith and
many more lesson in every detail of the scene or parts in the novel.
 As the title implies, A Child of Somos discusses the different lesson
found in different sorrow in life from birth to death that one may counter
in real life

VIII. Point of View

The story is written in a way where someone is narrating the lives and
happening in the novel. Pronouns such as "his", "her", "their", "they", "he",
"she", "him" and "her" were used.

Literary Techniques and Literary Devices

 Symbolism - the novel presented various symbols that represents and create
meaning and emotion. The writer expressed complex ideas while giving the
reader a visual sensory experience in a poetic manner without saying it
outright
 Imagery. He allowed the reader to clearly see and bear what is happening so
that they can relate themselves in the story.
 Hyperbole - the writer used exaggerated words to express unconditional love
of Rosa and Lucio to each other.

Historical-Biographical Analysis:
 There are examples of historical and biographical influence on the novel. The
years when Zoilo stays in Bacolor, Pampanga gives a clear description of
simplicity to the life of the novel’s main character, Lucio Soliman. Galang
shows the usual kind of romantic relationship which is conservative, old
fashioned.The name of the governor, Ishmael, can be traced in the Bible. The
Ishmael in the Bible is an outcast and is excluded by people. Even in Zoilo
Galang’s, “A Child of Sorrow”, Ishmael, the governor is not liked by most
people. When we talk about history, the attitude of the governor represents
Governor Honorio Ventura, the Civil Governor in Pampanga in 1916 to 1922.
 The scenarios in the novel were much like of those on the early 1920’s, when
the people back then only have a simple kind of living. It also portrayed the
traditions of early Filipinos, in which they court a girl first before asking their
hand, the relationship, the kind of Filipinas back then, which were innocent
and “mahinhin” and were always wearing long skirts.
 The novel also shows the stereotyping of Filipinos, in which the rich people
are using their political powers and connections to do what they desired to do
especially when manipulating common people. It has also an influence of
Spanish culture, because of the kind of clothes the characters are wearing
and it also has a mixed connection with Greek mythology because of several
allusions and comparison from gods and goddesses.