In evaluating the short story The Summer Solstice by the known writer and novelist Nick

Joaquin using the standard provided by Paz Latorena in her essay Educating the Literary Taste,
would the former pass the ideal literary. piece envisioned by Latorena? Latorena provided three
literary values, which served as the standard in determining whether a literary piece ought to
develop the literary taste of a reader.

The first literary value is the intellectual value. According to Latorena, this refers to the value of
the literary piece, which makes the reader think to some purpose to the end that his mental
capacity is enriched and broadened. In short, it is the value that develops the intellectual capacity
of a reader. In the story The Summer Solstice, the issue raised is about the battle between the two
sexes. Since the Philippine society is basically patriarchal, women are often restricted to express
their opinions. The story, however, showed that women are some way are superior over men. It is
evident in their reproductive role. And this fact helps the reader see the different side of the issue,
and challenges him to think outside the box. Also, in the story, it was mentioned that before the
coming of the Spaniards, women are actually superior in the native culture. Lastly, there is the
presence of paradox in the last part, where Paeng kissed the feet of Lupeng. It seems that Paeng’s
submission to his wife is somewhat a part of adoring or worshipping her, but in reality, it was due
to his unwavering love to his wife that he made such gesture.

The second literary value is the emotional value. This refers to whether or not the literary piece
or composition appeals to the emotion of the reader. Needlessly to say, to express or to arouse
emotion is the first requirement every literary piece should have. In every corner of the subject
story, emotional appeal is apparent. The unwavering love of the husband to his wife is so evident
especially in the last part where Paeng submitted to Lupeng and kissed her feet instead of beating
her to express resentment on what happened to him. It was also manifested when he acquiesced
to her demand of going to the Tadtarin ritual and when she showed disgust over the males during
the St. John’s festival

The third literary value is ethical value. This basically it is determining whether or not the
literary piece passed the ethical standard, what is right. And what is wrong. Although
determining what is right and what is wrong, what is moral and what is not, is very hard as the
terms themselves are ambiguous, it would be best to base such ethical standard to the standard of
author’s community, which is the Philippines. The story, in my point of view passed the standard,
despite the subtle narration of some lewd parts. Why? First, because the story does not, at the
very least, stimulate the imagining of things that are immoral. Second, what it tries to convey is
the truth in the conflict between the sexes and not obscenity. By not appealing to the prurient
interest and having a truth-value, the said story is ethical. The purpose of the author is not show
the lewd for the sake of lewdness, but for the sake of educating the mind of the reader regarding
the topic of the story. Moreover, those "lewd" parts are not even described using obscene words
or vivid descriptions, but rather in a subtle narration.

Overall, the short story The Summer Solstice by Nick Joaquin passed the literary taste standard
provided by Latorena. The values which overall define a good literary composition or piece is
manifest in the short story. Aside from such, Nick Joaquin successfully conveyed his message
regarding the conflict between masculinity and femininity, tendency of human nature, and the
image of a woman who is to be loved and respected, not worshipped. The last one, which was
presented as a paradox in the story, was actually. what made it so appealing. The hidden message
that Joaquin wanted to impart to the readers. The conflict that made Paeng to choose to submit to
his wife was not because he worships her, but because he loves her so much..