Short Story Analysis: "Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio

I. Wedding Dance
by Amador Daguio

II. SYNOPSIS/ SUMMARY

Awiyao and Lumnay were husband and wife for seven years, but now the
husband has to marry another woman, Madulimay, because Lumnay was not able to
give him a child. (In their culture in the mountains during those times, having a
child to follow after the husbands name was a must.)

On the night of the wedding, Awiyao goes to his and Lumnays house to
personally invite her to the traditional wedding dance. However, Lumnay, the best
dancer in the entire tribe, refuses to go. Then, during their conversation, it is
revealed that both of them still love each other, but because of their tribes custom,
they have to separate.

Awiyao goes back to the wedding, to the wedding dance, after being fetched
by some friends. Lumnay wants to follow, partly because of the dance, and partly
because she wants to put a stop to their tribes tradition of having to marry another
partner just to have a child.

III. SHORT STORY ELEMENTS

A. CHARACTERS

1. Lumnay a woman who was left by her husband because he had to marry
another woman/ Developing
2. Awiyao- the husband stated above / Flat
3. Madulimay Awiyaos new wife / Flat

a) Introduction

The story opens with Awiyao entering his and Lumnays house.

b) Rising Action

Things start to heat up when Lumnay says she does not want any other man.

c) Climax

There is more intensity when Awiyao says he does not want any other woman.
d)

Falling action

But they both have to follow their tribes tradition.

e)

Resolution

Awiyao has to go back to the wedding dance and Lumnay left home and
continued her life as it used to be.

C. SETTING

a) place in the mountains somewhere in the Philippines

b) time- a long time ago
c) weather conditions- fine
d) social conditions- lower-class

e) mood or atmosphere- sad and tense

D. POINT OF VIEW

The Point of View used in this short story is the Omniscient Limited - The
author tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc). We
know only what the character knows and what the author allows him/her to tell us.
We can see the thoughts and feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal
them to us.

E. LITERARY DEVICES

For me, there is an extensive use of the literary device Symbolism. There are
many symbols here, and these are the darkness, the houses four walls, the
smoldering embers, and the beads. The darkness symbolizes how the two lead
characters feel. Meanwhile, the houses walls symbolize the former couples
imprisonment. The smoldering embers that become glowing coals symbolize the
love that both of them still feel towards each other. Finally, the beads symbolize
Awiyaos great love for Lumnay even if she was not able to give him a child.

F. THEME

In my opinion, the theme True love never dies is applicable to this story.