How My Brother Leon

Brought Home a Wife

Analyzes by: Learning Team 2
Formalist Approach
The author, Manuel Arguilla, uses a simple and
descriptive diction that reflects the rural setting and
the perspective of the protagonist, Baldo. The
language is straightforward and reflects the
everyday life of the characters, adding authenticity
to the story. The diction helps convey the sense of
wonder and admiration that Baldo feels as he
describes his brother Leon and his wife Maria.

The sentences are predominantly in a subject-

predicate format. The narrative uses active voice,
which means that the subject of the sentence
performs the action. As for the rhythm in sentence
structure, Arguilla varies the length of sentences to
create a flowing and rhythmic quality in the
narrative. Short, concise sentences are used for
impact and clarity, while longer sentences can be
found for descriptive and reflective moments.
Formalist Approach
The text is presented in a prose format rather than in distinct
lines and stanzas typically associated with poetry. In prose,
such as this short story, the text is presented in a continuous
flow of sentences and paragraphs, without the deliberate use
of line cuts.

The story does not heavily rely on figurative language,

metaphors, or similes. But it still employs various literary
devices to enhance the narrative such as Imagery, Symbolism,
Irony, and Foreshadowing.

The speaker, Baldo, is generally happy and proud of his older

brother, Leon, and his wife, Maria. The images in the story are
generally positive, emphasizing the beauty of the rural
landscape, the warmth of the family, and the charm of the
characters. The descriptions and imagery paint a picture of a
peaceful and close-knit community, celebrating the arrival of
a new family member with joy and anticipation.
Formalist Approach
It is a short story, not a poem, so it doesn't
have a traditional rhyme scheme or end
rhymes.

The story follows a traditional narrative

structure, with a clear beginning, middle,
and end, and it is written in a linear fashion.

The story is about cultural integration,

highlighting the challenges and rewards of
accepting and embracing different cultural
backgrounds. It portrays the idea that, with
patience and an open heart, people from
diverse backgrounds can come together and
form harmonious relationships.
Biographical Approach
How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife" by Manuel
Arguilla was written in 1940. At that time, the Philippines was
under American colonial rule, and this story reflects some of
the social and cultural dynamics of that period.

•As for the circumstances surrounding the author's life, it's

important to consider that Arguilla's works were influenced
by his experiences growing up in the rural Philippines. He
was born in 1911 in Barrio Nagrebcan, which is mentioned in
the story. His own background and upbringing likely played a
role in his ability to vividly depict rural life and the
challenges of cultural adaptation in his stories.

•Regarding the composition of the story, there's limited

information available about the specific drafting process.
However, it's common for authors to revise and edit their
work multiple times before the final version is published.
 Biographical Approach
While there may not be direct autobiographical elements in
this particular story, Arguilla's background and experiences
certainly contributed to his ability to capture the essence of
rural Philippine life in his writing.

Understanding the author's background and the historical

context of the Philippines during that time can enhance your
appreciation of the work, as it provides insight into the
social and cultural themes he was exploring. It also allows
readers to connect with the story on a deeper level,
recognizing the authenticity of the setting and characters.
 Sociocultural Approach

First, the novel explores the ways in which the individuals interact with their culture,
specifically Maria's struggle to adapt to life in the small town where her husband grew up.
The contrast between Maria's urban upbringing and the rural community's traditions is
portrayed, along with the cultural distinctions and the individuals' relationships within that
context.

The story does not center on gender or social class differences, but it does allude to them in
a subtle way. Maria's transition to rural life exemplifies the difficulties faced by a lady from
a non-traditional social background.

Leon and his family are emblematic of the long-standing power structure in their little town.
Maria doesn't have much power at first because she doesn't know the community's rules and
practises.
 Sociocultural Approach

The story's depiction of the tension between rural and urban life in the Philippines
is reflective of larger social factors. It hints at the prevailing social order of rural
areas and traditional values, contrasting with urban ideals.

By showing how hard it is for Maria to follow certain traditions, the story gently
questions and challenges them. It shows how values in cities and rural areas
clash and how hard it is to stay true to yourself while fitting in with a new society.

By looking at this story through its perspective of socioculture, we can explore

how cultures change, how power works, and how traditional and modern ideals
clash. In a certain time period, the story shows how societal rules and the
difficulties people faced when dealing with cultural differences affected people.
Psychoanalytic
Approach
Maria, the protagonist who must adapt to a new setting, could be
driven by a number of factors. Her efforts to integrate herself into
Leon's family and the rural community, and to find her place there,
are clear. The struggles she faces on the inside as she tries to
adopt a new lifestyle while staying true to who she is could also be
explored.

Maria's conscious behaviours reflect her efforts to please Leon's

family and the people of the rural area are reflected in her
deliberate actions. However, her unconscious effort to find harmony
between her urban upbringing and country norms may be revealed
in her subtle behaviours or in her thoughts.

Maria's city life and the country customs shown in the story are at
odds with one another, suggesting a deeper conflict including the
tension between competing cultural standards, values, and
individual identities.
Psychoanalytic
Approach
The story might reveal elements related to Freudian concepts such as
Maria's ego (her attempts at adaptation), id (her deepest desires and
conflicts), and superego (the societal standards she feels obligated
to satisfy) may all be revealed in the story.

Although there may be no direct exploration of mental illness or

dreams, the story may nonetheless speak to universal archetypes or
patterns, especially in its depiction of cultural tensions and Maria's
internal struggles.
 Psychoanalytic
Approach
Arguilla's description of Maria's difficulties may stand in for the
common psychological tensions encountered by anyone who
attempt to adjust to a new culture. It's unclear, though, if this
reflects the author's actual mental state.

The novel reveals the complexities of human psychology via the

relationships and feelings of its protagonists, particularly as they
deal with cultural differences, society expectations, and their
own ambitions.

The story may cause the reader to experience a wide range of

emotions and thoughts on cultural understanding, personal
growth, and conformity to societal norms.

By taking a psychoanalytic stance, we can get insight into the

characters' actions and relationships by learning more about
their inner struggles and what drives them.
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