SCENT OF APPLES

JENNY PANGANIBAN
BSED - ENG 2
 CONTENTS

AUTHOR INSIGHTS/
STORY REFLECTION
GRAMMAR

SUMMARY LITERARY
ANALYSIS
 AUTHOR - Bienvenido Santos
• National Artist for Literature
• A novelist and short-story writer, also a
poet, memoirist, and autobiographer.
• Born on March 22, 1991 at Tondo,
Manila.
• He was raised in the Philippines, where
he is also highly regarded; and he spent
half of his life in America.
• He became an American citizen in 1976.
• Exiled once by his political perspective,
 AUTHOR - Bienvenido Santos
• He first left Philippines after earning a
Bachelor of Arts Degree from the
University of the Philippines in 1932.
• He came to the USA to study at the
University of Illinois and Harvard.
• He was called to service at the Philippine
Embassy in Washington, D.C. where he
served as a public information officer.
• He was died on January 7, 1996.
 SUMMARY
The story “Scent of Apples” written by Mr. Bienvenido Santos is
about longing for one's native land and the struggles faced by Filipino
immigrants. The protagonist, Mr. Santos, encounters Celestino Fabia,
a farmer who has traveled a long distance to have a conversation with
him. Mr. Fabia asks about the differences between Filipino women of
his time and the present generation. Mr. Santos responds that despite
the external differences, both generations of women possess the
modesty, faithfulness, and goodness of a Filipina.
 SUMMARY
Mr. Fabia talks about his farm and he invites Mr. Santos to his
home. When they arrived in the farm, the fragrance of apples was
spread in the area. Mr. Fabia introduces him to Ruth, his wife, and
proudly speaks about his son, Roger. During his visit, Mr. Santos
notices Ruth's hospitality, which reminds him of Filipino customs, and
he is captivated by Roger's delightful personality. The scent of apples
that permeates the farm serves as a constant reminder of Mr. Santos'
homeland, where apples do not grow. This scent evokes a sense of
loneliness and longing within him.
 SUMMARY

After bidding farewell to the family, Mr. Fabia takes Mr. Santos
back to his hotel. Mr. Santos offers to relay news to his family in the
Philippines, but Mr. Fabia declines, suggesting they may have already
forgotten him. This highlights the common experiences of loneliness,
exile, and isolation faced by immigrant Filipinos, who often feel
disconnected from their culture and fear losing their sense of
belonging.
 STORY GRAMMAR
A. SETTING:
The story was takes place in Kalamazoo, Michigan on October.
Also, the main setting was in Mr. Fabia’s place, wherein he invited Mr.
Santos to come by.
B. CHARACTERS:
• Mr. Santos – narrator, a Filipino young man
• Celestino Fabia – fellow Filipino who owns an apple farm
• Ruth Fabia – wife of Celestino Fabia
• Roger Fabia – son of Celestino Fabia
 STORY GRAMMAR
C. PLOT:
EXPOSITION:
When the war was still going on, Mr. Santos, a Filipino young man
traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan on October to attend a conference.
On the same night, he met another Filipino – Celestino Fabia, a farmer.
He was surprised to meet a man who had traveled a long distance
simply just to hear him talk. During the conversation, the man asked
on how modern Filipina differed from the stereotypes he was familiar
with. Mr. Santos responded that, while they differ on the outside, both
women from different eras have the heart and soul of a modest
Filipina. Mr. Fabia was overjoyed.
 STORY GRAMMAR
C. PLOT: EXPOSITION:
 STORY GRAMMAR
C. PLOT:

RISING
ACTION:
After the lecture, Mr. Fabia told Mr. Santos about his farm
and family and invited him over to his house, repeatedly
saying that his wife, Ruth, will be pleased to meet “a first
class Filipino”. He also told him about Roger, his son, with
pride.
 STORY GRAMMAR
C. PLOT:
CLIMAX:
Mr. Fabia picked up Mr. Santos the next day, and
throughout the seemingly lengthy ride to the faraway farm,
the Filipino young man learned about Mr. Fabia's life in the
Philippines. He was the family's black sheep, a spoiled
child. He resided in an old Visayan town with no apples.
However, there are coconut palms and roosters cooing early
in the morning, as well as his family.
 STORY GRAMMAR
C. PLOT:
FALLING
ACTION:
They finally arrived at the farm, the scent
of apples diffusing through the air all
over the place. Mr. Santos admired Ruth's
hospitality and kind-heartedness was
almost Filipino and how adorable Roger
really was. In their humble home, he also
found a picture of an anonymous Filipina
wearing a traditional costume.
 STORY GRAMMAR
C. PLOT:
FALLING
ACTION:
 STORY GRAMMAR
C. PLOT:
RESOLUTION:
Mr. Santos said farewell to the family,
and Mr. Fabia took him back to the
hotel. He offered to send news to his
family when he returned to the
Philippines, but Mr. Fabia declined,
claiming that they had already
forgotten about him. They shook each
other’s hand and said their goodbyes.
 STORY GRAMMAR
D. THEME:

• The main theme of the story revolves around the

experiences of Filipino immigrants in abroad and the sense
of nostalgia and longing for their homeland.
• The scent of apples becomes a symbolic representation of
longing for the familiar scents and tastes of his native
country, as well as a connection to his past.
 STORY GRAMMAR
E. POINT OF
VIEW:
It is primarily told from a first-person point of view. The
narrator shares his personal experiences, thoughts, and
emotions throughout the narrative. The use of the first-person
point of view allows readers to directly connect with the
protagonist's perspective, gaining insight into his cultural
background, his memories, and his longing for his homeland.
 STORY GRAMMAR
LITERARY ANALYSIS:

"Scent of Apples" by Bienvenido Santos is a richly

layered story. One notable aspect of the story is Santos'
masterful use of language and imagery. Through evocative
descriptions, he creates a vivid sense of place and
atmosphere, transporting readers to both the lush landscapes
of the Philippines and the urban setting of the United States.
 STORY GRAMMAR
LITERARY ANALYSIS:

The imagery is not only limited to the physical

environment but also extends to sensory details, such as
scents and tastes. The scent of apples represents a longing for
home and the evocative power of memory. It symbolizes the
nostalgia that people who are far away from home feel for
their homes.
 STORY GRAMMAR
LITERARY ANALYSIS:

In conclusion, it is a masterfully crafted story that

captures the immigrant experience with depth and emotional
resonance. Mr. Santos skillfully portrays the complexities of
the Filipino dispersion and the universal longing for home,
leaving readers with a profound understanding of the
immigrant journey and the human desire for connection and
rootedness.
 STORY GRAMMAR
INSIGHTS/
REFLECTION:
"Scent of Apples" by Bienvenido Santos is a deeply
thought-provoking story that strikes a personal and emotional
level with readers. It invites us to consider our own
experiences with displacement, cultural identity, and longing
for home. It challenges us to contemplate the intricacies of
immigration and the universal human desire to find a sense
of belonging.
 STORY GRAMMAR
INSIGHTS/
REFLECTION:
Additionally, one aspect that strike me while reading the
story was the power of nostalgia and the longing for
familiarity. The protagonist's yearning for the scent of apples
and his memories of the Philippines reminded me of other
people longing for the familiar sights, sounds, and scents of
our homeland. It made me reflect on the significance of these
sensory experiences in shaping our sense of identity and
connection to a particular place.
 STORY GRAMMAR
INSIGHTS/
REFLECTION:
Overall, it serves as a poignant reminder of the universal
human desire for connection, rootedness, and a place to call
home. I could say that it is an outstanding literary
masterpiece. I applaud the author's literary effort, which
equates the agony of being away from home and, as a result,
hitting the values of an immigrant Filipino who is facing the
consequences in line to the choices he made.
THANK
YOU!