Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education Region VII

HOLY CROSS COLLEGE OF CARIGARA
Rebolledo St. Ponong Carigara, Leyte
School ID: 404667
S.Y. 2023-2024

Name: PRINCESS MIA P. LLOREN Grade & Section: 11 STEM B

Date submitted:

LITERARY ANALYSIS WORKSHEET

Title of selection: Why there is a high tide during full moon

Author: Alex Rangel

Genre: Myth

Setting: The setting is in a place where the sky met the sea

Historical context:

"Why There Is a High Tide During Full Moon" is a story about the Ibanag people, an indigenous group
in the Cagayan Valley region of the Philippines. The story is based on their oral tradition, reflecting their
deep connection to nature and their use of storytelling to transmit knowledge and values. The lunar
cycle, associated with high tide, has practical implications for agriculture in the region. Despite facing
challenges like colonization, the Ibanag people's cultural heritage remains strong, reflecting their
worldview and relationship with nature.

The author wrote this piece to: (author’s purpose)

To educate readers about the scientific explanation of high tides during the full moon, contrasting
ancient myths with modern science. They aim to clarify misunderstandings, promote deeper
understanding, and inspire curiosity about the natural world

The main idea of this piece is: 1

"Why There Is a High Tide During Full Moon" is a mythical narrative by the Ibanag people explaining
the natural phenomenon of high tides during full moon, connecting the community with nature,
reinforcing their identity, and preserving traditions.

The message (or theme) of this selection which the author would like us to “take away” is:
"Why There Is a High Tide During Full Moon" explores themes of nature harmony, ancestral wisdom,
and interconnectedness, showcasing the Ibanag people's understanding of their surroundings and the
power of storytelling in preserving cultural heritage.

Characters: (Major)
Protagonist(s): Luna and Mar

Antagonist(s): Cousin of Luna

Static characters: Luna

Dynamic characters: God of the Sun and God of The Sea

Did the author use any special literary devices in this selection such as: personification,
metaphor, simile, foreshadowing, suspense, flashback, imagery, irony, humor, poetic sound
devices such as rhyme, etc… List and give specific examples:

The narrative "Why There Is a High Tide During Full Moon" employs various literary devices to
enhance the storytelling experience and convey its themes and messages.

-The full moon's high tide symbolizes the Ibanag culture's connection to nature and spirituality, and may
also represent the cyclical rhythms of life and the universe.

-The story incorporates mythology and folklore to explain natural phenomena, creating a sense of
wonder and mystery while preserving cultural traditions.

-Vivid imagery in storytelling evokes sensory experiences, bringing the story's setting and characters to
life through descriptive language, fostering a deeper emotional connection with the reader.

-Metaphorical language is used to convey abstract concepts, like the full moon and high tide, which can
be linked to larger themes like the balance of forces in the universe.

-Foreshadowing is a technique used by authors to hint at future events or developments, adding suspense
and anticipation, thereby keeping readers engaged throughout the narrative.

2
What was the author’s “tone” toward the subject/person/idea he/she wrote about?

Alex's storytelling is characterized by reverence, enchantment, and respect for the Ibanag people's
cultural traditions. He conveys wonder and awe inspired by nature, with hints of mysticism. Alex's
authority and authenticity invite readers to immerse themselves in the rich oral heritage of the Ibanag
people.

What “point of view” was this piece told from? List word clues that indicate this.
"Why There Is a High Tide During Full Moon" is narrated from a third-person omniscient perspective,
providing insight into the characters' thoughts, feelings, and motivations. This perspective offers a
comprehensive understanding of the Ibanag cultural traditions and beliefs, allowing readers to explore
broader themes.

-The fishermen out in the sea believe that each time Luna, the moon, appears, the sea gets troubled. “It is
Mar trying to escape from his cave,” they say.

List the conflicts in this selection (internal and/or external):

External Conflict:

The sun god was angered at his daughter’s disobedience to the Immortal Laws. He shut her in their
garden and did not allow her to get out. Then he sent a messenger to the sea god informing hi n that his
son Mar has disobeyed the Immortal Laws.

The sea god, when was also angered by his son’s disobedience, imprisoned him in one of his sea caves.

-Luna stayed in the garden for sometime. She was very sad at not being able to see Mar. She longed to
be with him again. Feeling very restless one day, she escaped from the garden. She took her golden
chariot and rushed to their meeting place.

-Mar, who was imprisoned in the sea cave, saw her reflection on the water. He wanted to get out to meet
her. He tried hard to get out of the cave, but he could not. He struggled so hard that he shook the walls of
his cave causing unrest in the sea. Luna waited for Mar to appear, but he did not come.

Internal Conflict:

-She was so happy that she told her secret to one of her cousins, -The cousin, jealous of her beauty and
her happiness, reported the affair to the sun god.

If this was a fiction/non-fiction or dramatic work, list the most important parts of the PLOT:

-The plot of "Why There Is a High Tide During Full Moon" likely follows a traditional narrative
structure, beginning with an exposition that introduces the setting, characters, and central conflict. In this
case, the exposition may establish the Ibanag community's deep connection to nature and their attempts
to understand the phenomenon of high tides during the full moon.

Exposition:
3
In the past, only gods ruled the earth, sea, and sky. The sun god had a beautiful daughter, Luna, who
enjoyed traveling in her golden chariot. One day, Luna encountered a young man, Mar, who looked like
her father. They became friends and shared many stories. When Luna left, they promised to meet again,
and they eventually fell in love. The story highlights the importance of friendship and the beauty of the
world.

Rising action:

The series of conflict on the story started when Luna accidentally told her cousin about her secret, but
because her cousin felt jelous of her beauty and happiness, reported the affair to the sun god.

Climax:
The sun god was angered at his daughter’s disobedience to the Immortal Laws. He shut her in their
garden and did not allow her to get out. Then he sent a messenger to the sea god informing hi n that his
son Mar has disobeyed the Immortal Laws. The sea god, when was also angered by his son’s
disobedience, imprisoned him in one of his sea caves.

Falling action:
The falling action of the story was in the part where Luna stayed in the garden for sometime. She was
very sad at not being able to see Mar. She longed to be with him again. Feeling very restless one day,
she escaped from the garden. She took her golden chariot and rushed to their meeting place. Mar, who
was imprisoned in the sea cave, saw her reflection on the water. He wanted to get out to meet her. He
tried hard to get out of the cave, but he could not. He struggled so hard that he shook the walls of his
cave causing unrest in the sea. Luna waited for Mar to appear, but he did not come. Then she went back
home very sad. Each time she remembered Mar she would rush out in her golden chariot to the meeting
place in the hope of seeing him again.

Resolution:
At the end of the story The fishermen out in the sea believe that each time Luna, the moon, appears,
the sea gets troubled. “It is Mar trying to escape from his cave,” they say.

Notes:
The story behind the story “Why there is a high tides during the full moon” is often told through myths
and legends. One common tale says that during the full moon, the moon goddess pulls the ocean closer
to her, causing the tides to rise. This story reflects ancient beliefs about the moon's mystical power over
the seas. While these stories are captivating, the real reason for high tides during the full moon is the
alignment of the moon, Earth, and sun, which creates stronger gravitational forces on the oceans. This
phenomenon, known as spring tides, occurs when the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun align,
leading to higher tides.