HOW MY

BROTHER LEON
BROUGHT HOME A
WIFE?
 MANUEL ESTABILLO ARGUILLA
• He was born on June 17, 1911 in Negbrecan, La Union
• He was an Ilokano writer and he is known for his short
history “How my Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife”
which won 1st prize in the Commonwealth Literary
Contest in 1940.
• In October 1944 at the age of 33 because he was captured,
tortured and executed by the Japanese army at Fort
Santiago.
 EXPOSITION
The story begun when the wife stepped down to the
carretela of Ca Celin with a quick, delicate grace. She
looked lovely, and she was tall. She looked up to
Leon with a smile and her forehead was level with
his mouth. It goes when Leon introduced Maria as his
wife to his younger brother, Baldo, whose thinking
deeply if father will like Maria. He’s thinking if Maria
can survive or will fit in the life in barrio or rural
areas that urban city where she grew up.
 RISING ACTION
They took the dry bed of the Waig as substitute
for Camino Real and it was the wish of the
father to go by Waig. They were trying to test
Maria’s characteristics, her attitudes, her looks,
how she talks, and the way she handle the
situation.
 CLIMAX
Leon already brought home Maria as his wife.
He introduced Maria as his wife to his family
and especially to his father hoping that they will
accept and liked Maria for him.
 FALLING ACTION
Maria passed the test or challenges despite of
her personality being a city girl. She surpassed
the trial given to her proving that she is worth it
for Leon as his wife.
 DENOUMENT
When Baldo cross the threshold of his father and
ask him about Maria. Afterwards the door
opened and Leon and Maria came in. Baldo
looked to Maria so lovely and went out to
watered Labang which his father told him. It
reflects that loves make Maria and Leon to go
forward and forward whatever struggles come
will be ignored by them.
WHO ARE THE CHARACTERS IN THE
STORY?
Baldo – younger brother of Leon
Leon – older brother of Baldo
Maria – the beautiful and down to Earth wife of Leon from
the city
Labang – a bull
Ca Celin – carretela driver
Aurea – sister of Baldo and Leon
Father and Mother
WHAT IS THE THEME OF THE STORY?

• Respect and accept one’s life.

• One may have to sacrifice small part of one’s

life in order to be happy.
WHERE DID THE STORY HAPPENED?

The story happened at Nagrebcan, La Union

IF YOU HAVE A PARTNER, ARE YOU GOING TO
INTRODUCE HIM/HER TO YOUR FAMILY? WHY?

IF YOU ARE FROM THE CITY AND YOUR

PARTNER WANTS YOU TO STAY WITH HIM/HER
IN THE PROVINCE, WILL YOU BE WITH
HIM/HER? WHY?
CHARACTER IMAGES/ACTION HOW IS THIS IMAGE/ACTION BECAME
SYMBOLIC?

MARIA “Will the like me?” The message symbolizes the fear of being introduced to
the parents and fear for change.

LEON/ NOEL Leon changed into Noel This change of name is symbolic because this represents
the culture change. Leon representing the barrio while
Noel represented the bayan.

BALDO Puzzled on why Maria It represents the awe and reverence of taga-barrios to
called his brother Noel the taga-bayans wherein taga-bayans are seen superior to
the taga-barrios.

FATHER “Was she afraid of Labang?” The message has a double meaning which really is “Can
Maria can and will survive in the province?” and since the
answer is yes, then it means that Maria can and will
survive.
 IMAGE/SCENE SYMBOLIC

Carretela Sit symbolizes the rural life in the barrio

Labang It represents people in the barrios who are doing

mostly blue collar jobs which are mostly farming and
agriculture.

Pebbly road/hay in the cart It proves that settling into a married life is not always
easy that there are rough times and is inevitable.