GOD SAID

“ I MADE A MAN”

by: José García Villa

01 About the Writer
Born: August 5, 1908
Manila, Philippine Islands
Died: February 7, 1997 (aged 88)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Pen name: Doveglion
:Occupation
Poet, critic, lecturer
02 GOD SAID “I
MADE A MAN”
God said, “I made a man
Out of clay—
But so bright he, he spun
Himself to brightest Day
03 GOD SAID “I
MADE A MAN”
Till he was all shining gold,
And oh,
He was lovely to behold!
But in his hands held he a bow
04 GOD SAID “I
MADE A MAN”
Aimed at me who created
Him. And I said,
‘Wouldst murder me
Who am thy Fountainhead!’
05 GOD SAID “I
MADE A MAN”
Then spoke he the man of gold:
‘I will not Murder thee!
I do but Measure thee.
Hold Thy peace.’
06 GOD SAID “I
MADE A MAN”
And this I did.
But I was curious
Of this so regal head.
‘Give thy name! ‘_’Sir! Genius.’”
Analysis
 Title and Its Relation to
the Poem:
The title "God said, 'I made a man'" highlights
the theme of creation by God, which is central to
the poem's exploration. It sets the stage for a
conversation between God and the man made of
clay, emphasizing the divine authority and
responsibility of God as the creator.
 Type and Structure of the
Poem:

The poem takes the form of a free verse

dramatic monologue, allowing for flexibility in
expression and thematic exploration. Through
dialogue between characters, it delves into
questions of power, identity, and the relationship
between creator and creation.
 Mood and Tone of the
Poem:
The mood of the poem is tense and
confrontational, reflecting the dialogue between
God and the man of clay. There's an underlying
sense of conflict and curiosity as they discuss the
man's transformation and intentions, contributing
to the complexity of the poem's tone.
Symbols and Imagery of the
Poem:

man from clay bow held by the

man of gold God's role as
to gold, creator
symbolizing represents symbolizes
enlightenment or power and authority and
transcendence. potential divine guidance.
aggression,
 Theme and Message
It revolves around the intricate relationship
between God and humanity. The poem explores
creation, free will, and accountability. It portrays
the ingratitude of humans despite owing their
existence to God. The man of gold's curiosity to
measure God reflects the innate human drive for
knowledge. The poem invites us to contemplate
their connection with the divine and the delicate
balance between gratitude and curiosity in life.
 ACTIVITY
Recite the poem, and provide a short reflection.
Consider the rubric below:
CATEGORY

SPEAKS CLEARLY 25%

ENTHUSIASM 25%

VOLUME 25%

PREPAREDNESS 25%

TOTAL: 100%
ORDER
OF
MASK
 ABOUT THE WRITER

VIRGINIA
MORENO
ORDER OF
MASK
 To this harlequinade
I wear black tight and fool’s cap
Billiken*, make me three bright masks
For the three tasks in my life.
Three faces to wear
One after the other
For the three men in my life.
 When my Brother comes
make me one opposite
If he is a devil, a saint
With a staff to his fork
And for his horns, a crown.
I hope for my contrast
To make nil
Our old resemblance to each other
and my twin will walk me out
Without a frown
Pretending I am another.
 When my Father comes
Make me one so like
His child once eating his white bread in trance
Philomela* before she was raped. I hope by
likeness
To make him believe this is the same kind
The chaste face he made,
And my blind Lear* will walk me out
Without a word
Fearing to peer behind.
 If my lover comes,
Yes, when Seducer comes
Make for me the face
That will in color race
The carnival stars
And change in shape
Under his grasping hands.
 Make it bloody
When he needs it white
Make it wicked in the dark
Let him find no old mark
Make it stone to his suave touch
This magician will walk me out
Newly loved.
 Not knowing why my tantalizing face
Is strangely like the mangled parts of a face
He once wiped out.

Make me three masks.

ANALYSIS
 Title and Its Relation to the
Poem:
The title "Order of Mask" suggests a structured approach
to concealment or transformation, which mirrors the
content of the poem where the speaker requests three
masks for three significant men in their life. The "order"
implies that the speaker ask for mask from the Bilikin to
hide her real identity after losing her innocence.
SHAPE AND FORM
Free verse
 MOOD AND TONE
The mood of the poem shifts between introspection,
contemplation, and a hint of deceit. There's an underlying
tension as the speaker grapples with the need to present
different personas to each man in her life. The mood and tone
convey a feeling of complexity and tension, prompting readers
to reflect on the intricacies of human relationships and the
persona/mask we wear handle them.
 SYMBOLISM
1.Harlequinade: Symbolizes the theatricality and performance aspect of human
relationships, suggesting that interactions can often feel like staged acts where individuals
wear masks to conceal their true selves.
2.Masks: Represent the various personas or roles individuals adopt in different relationships
or situations. Each mask serves as a disguise, concealing emotions, intentions, or
vulnerabilities.
3.Billiken: Represents luck or fortune, implying that the ability to navigate relationships
effectively requires a degree of luck or divine intervention.
4.Black tight and fool’s cap: Implies the speaker's readiness to play the fool or adopt
different personas as needed in their interactions with others.
5.Brother's mask (devil, saint): Symbolizes the contrasting nature of familial relationships
and the desire to differentiate oneself from a sibling, whether by embracing or rejecting
similarities.
1.Father's mask (innocence): Represents the innocence of childhood and the longing for a
sense of safety or familiarity in the paternal relationship, despite potential conflicts or
traumas.
2.Lover's mask (changing color and shape): Symbolizes the fluidity of romantic
relationships and the adaptability required to maintain the lover's interest or affection. It
also signifies the concealment of past hurts or vulnerabilities to maintain the illusion of
attraction.
3.Carnival stars: Represents the ephemeral and transient nature of love and desire,
suggesting that these feelings can be fleeting or illusory, akin to the spectacle of a carnival.
4.Stone: Symbolizes hardness or emotional detachment, indicating the speaker's resilience
or ability to withstand the lover's manipulations without revealing their true emotions.
5.Magician: Symbolizes the speaker's ability to navigate relationships with cunning and
strategy, akin to a performer who dazzles the audience with illusions.
 THEME
 Woman’s grief cannot be hidden under a colorful mask.
 Women are powerful.
 We don't need to please everyone
 ACTIVITY:
CHOOSE 1 PERSONA/ MASK OF THE SPEAKER AND
ILLUSTRATE IT IN A CREATIVE WAY. AND PROVIDE A
SHORT REFLECTION TOWARS THE CHOSEN PERSONA.