Martinez

by Anna Felicia Sanchez

 Anna Felicia C. Sanchez is the author of Frog Leap and Other
Stories (2005), a chapbook published under the first NCCA Ubod
New Authors Series. A number of her stories have won prizes in the
Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio, Free Press, and Palanca literary awards.
 Works written: Frog Leap, and Other Stories

 How to Pacify a Distraught Infant - University of the Philippines

...https://press.up.edu.ph › project › how-to-pacify-a-distrau...
 Born: August 1981 (age 40 years)
 Books: How to Pacify a Distraught Infant: Stories, Frog Leap, and
Other Stories, Pics Or it Didn't Happen and Actual Stories
 Awards: Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Full-length Play
Motivation

1. Are there tensions between people from Manila and people

from the old country, or what we in the Philippines called
“ the Province” ? What is the source of that tension?
2. What are the stereotypes for each one? Do you think they
are
true?
3. Do you think horror stories and horror movies have any
societal significance?
Vocabulary Building : Complete the phrases into
sentences with subordinate clauses to develop a
more thorough description of the sentence.
This is output No. 1
1. bucolic view
2. stifled a sigh
3. placid disposition
4. squinted into the woods
5. stench of animal dung
6. offer carcass
7. grimaced at the stray drops of spittle
Introduction
The story that you are about to read is by turns, horrific, and
fantastical. It can also be interpreted as a cautionary tale. In
ancient times, fairy tales and folktales were much more violent
than today’s versions, and they often fulfilled a function in
society. Tales of horror, in particular, are usually full of social
commentary, and tell us what people think, and how this could
be pushed into a logical, and horrifying conclusion. Often,
horror stories do not only hope to shock and awe, but make
you think about whether the horrific elements that were present
in the story can be found in today,s society.

The story you are about to read hints at certain core values
that are still believed in the provinces , or the old country, today.
When the protagonist goes against these values, he meets a
rather frightening end
Let us now read the story
Martinez by Anna Felicia Sanchez
Quide Questions:
1. What aspect of the story did you find the most horrifying? Why?
2. What did you think of the stranger? Is she similar to any other
character in Filipino folklore or superstition?
3. What is the importance of Richard’s family to the village?
4. Do you think Richard, as a character, no longer values his
hometown and its values ? Is that why he had to remember?
5. What did Totoy mean, when he said that Richard did not know
anything? Do you agree?
6. Why is it significant that Richard is a motivational speaker fluent
in English? Why is it significant that Richard is irritated with
Totoy’s English?
7. This story is written in English. Why is that ironic? What
message could there be regarding the English language and
memory?
8. What does Martinez symbolize?
9. What do you think are the insights of the story about the old country, or the
province? What are its insights about modern Filipinos? Do you agree or
disagree?
10. Totoy seems to be the foil of Richard. Do you agree?
Alternative Ending: Output No. 2

Write an alternative ending to the story. In your story, would Richard be

able to save himself? If so, why or why not? Will he try to escape, but find
himself in worse trouble than he already is? Write the alternative ending.
Assessment: Output No. 3
The characters of Richard and Totoy play up to
stereotypes that people have. What are these
stereotypes? Write five stereotypes about people from
Manila, and five stereotypes about people from the
province. In addition, write the page number where they
are found in the text.

Do you agree or disagree with these stereotypes?

Discuss.
The Folded Earth
by Anuradha Roy (India)
Anuradha Roy is an Indian novelist, journalist and
editor. She has written five novels: An Atlas of
Impossible Longing, The Folded Earth, Sleeping on
Jupiter, All the Lives We Never Lived, and "The
Earthspinner". Wikipedia
Born: 1967 (age 54 years), Kolkata, India
Spouse: Rukun Advani (m. 1997)
Genre: Novel, postcolonial
Motivation

1. Why do people want to climb mountains?

2. Why would people defy their parents in order to
get married?
3. Do you believe in premonitions ( when people
have a bad feeling about what’s about to
happen and then a bad thing does happen?
These are several places in India
Hyderabad
Delhi
Nilgiris
Western Ghats
Himalaya
Roopkund
Vocabulary Building : Complete the phrases into
sentences with subordinate clauses to
develop a
more thorough description of the sentence.
This is output No. 1
1. unearthing boots
2. inexhorable pull over
3. annual trek
4. has been an enigma
5. caught in an avalanche
6. tugged at my earlobes
Introduction
The setting of this novel excerpt is in India, and
the two characters have different religions.
Michael is Christian, while Maya, the narrator, is
Hindu. The dominant religion in India is Hinduism,
which accounts for 84% of the population, and the
second largest religion is Islam. Christianity is one
of the minority religions in the country, and
because of their different religions, Maya and
Michael’s families disapprove of their marriage.
The Folded Earth
by Anuradha Roy
Guide Questions
1. What did you fell after reading the excerpt?
2. Did you predict the last paragraph? Why or why not?
3. What does it try to tell us about death?
4. How would you describe the relationship between Michael and
Maya?
5. How do you think Maya will move on after Michaels death?
6. Why was it important to mention that they had defied their
parents in order to get married? What does it say about their
relationship?
7. How does the setting affect the story?
8. Would you say that you have the sea or mountain inside you?
9. Why do people long to be somewhere else?
10. Why couldn’t Maya stop Michael from cliumbing, even when
she was afraid? What does it say about the nature of love?
Assessment : Output No. 2

 A. Predict Maya’s next actions in the novel.

 Ouytpout No. 3
B After reading the excerpt, what does it make you realize
 about life, love, and death? Write your personal
 reaction paper on the excerpt. Submit in one to two
 pages.
Assignment

 Research and Read:

 1. “ Coraline” by Neil Gaiman (England)

 2. “The Boy Named Crow” by Haruki Murakami (Japan)