Philippine Literature

Title: Bread of Salt

Author: N.V.M Gonzales
I grow up in a simple life my father has a work but it’s not enough to support our needs. I always
keep on dreaming with the things that I don’t have when I was a kid, imagining that I have those
fancy things that I usually seen to some other kid. But then, we need to face the fact that we are not
existing in the world of fantasies. We can deny this reality but is only through accepting the truth that
can set us free from the prison of our own illusions.
The short story “The Bread of Salt” which was written by Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzales or N.V.M
Gonzales portrays about dreams, admiration, failure and hope. This story started to a 14-years old
boy a grandson of a late coconut plantation overseer.
The name of the boy did not mention in the story so let’s just call him as a young boy. Buying of
pandesal or bread of salt was his morning routine. So as a young boy it gets him bored. For him
seeing the old Spanish house was seemed as his reward which the girl of his dream lives. So just
like the other boys he experienced how to admire a girl. He was so in love to the niece of the old
Spaniard whom his grandfather served for many years. Her name was Aida, a classmate of the
young boy too.
To have a Spanish blood, Aida’s beauty stands out among the rest of the girls in their class. She is
mestiza and it is undeniable that a great number of Filipinos have this belief that a white complexion
is already half of the physical beauty of a person. It was her beauty that made the young boy dreamed
of her most of the time and assumes that she felt the same way too towards the young boy. The
young always dreamed of with beautiful Aida.
His admiration toward Aida really motivated him of being a good violinist. From being the second
violin, he was promoted to the first violin position. He improved himself just to get Aida’s attention.
His aunt poured a water on his dream of being a musician. His aunt said that being a musician is not
a good idea. Furthermore, it would just make him hungry being always the last one to eat in any
events. That remarks hurt him. Despite of his aunt’s words, he still pursuing himself to play the violin.
He did not let those words to penetrate in to his own being.
His excellent skill in playing the instrument did not escape the vigilant eyes of Pete Seez, a trombone
player who had a private band which was the Miniviluz Orchestra. If he could join Pete’s band, he
can earn money, and has opportunity to purchase a box of linen stationery. He thought of plan. He
would barrow Aida’s book in Algebra and slid his love letter between its pages. He would also buy a
brooch for Aida. Unfortunately, all his plans weren’t materialized. His grandmother asked for his
earnings from his plays in the funeral, wedding, municipal dance, or any other events. He couldn’t
disappoint his grandmother.
Until they band had been chosen to perform to the old Spaniard house. He was so excited and
arrived early. After an hour they were given a break to eat. The young boy who had been starving
already took the chance and hurriedly eat the delightful cuisine served on the table. He conveyed
every food to his mouth as if he was in a battlefield, he hid an egg yolk inside of a napkin table and
put it under his shirt. Until he heard the voice of Aida from behind. Aida saw him, and she hadn’t
eaten anything yet. Aida humiliated the young boy with her words. An insult that making him too
small in front of the girl. He already felt defeated even before he started to tell his feelings. Reality
slapped him. That moment he realized the big difference between his status and Aida.The admiration
for Aida instantly gone. He realized that his dream of him with Aida wasn’t thought it would be. After
the party the young boy asked his friend Pete to go to the bakery shop to buy a pandesal. It was too
early and the bakery was not yet opened so they have to wait.
the story started and ended with pandesal or bread of salt. The brown color, crusty, and crispy kind
of bread that complement every Filipino’s breakfast. Describing the pandesal, can compare it to the
skin color of the Filipinos which is brown. It was small which refers to our protagonist who was still
very young. His dreams about Aida were undeniably sweet but the young boy could not distinguish
that it was impossible at the moment. They evidently belong in two different worlds. Aida being on
the upper or elite class and the young boy at the lower status. What is it that the young boy can do
for the girl he loves? He is still just a teenager and still studying. Just like the pandesal which was
still being molded in the bakery shop, likewise the young boy. There are still many things in life that
he must learn and what should he do is just to wait for the right time where he can finally prove
himself worthy.
Title: Harvest
Author: Loreto Paras Sulit
Characters
• Fabian -elder brother of Vidal who is married to Tinay
• Vidal - younger brother of Fabian
• Milia - the girl with the five carabaos who is also the soon-to-be wife of Vidal
• Miss Francia - The girl with their amo
• Tinay -the wife of Fabian
• Trining -the daughter of Tinay and Fabian
Synopsis
Vidal and Fabian were taking palay stalks in the late afternoon sun. Fabian is insecure of his brother’s
handsomeness. When they were harvesting, they talked about the five carabaos wherein Vidal must
marry Milia. It was because their need of carabao for plowing the fields. While they were talking, a
not exactly young or beautiful girl came named Miss Francia. She called out Vidal saying he’s a
perfect model. Fabian also noticed the woman. Miss Francia noticed Fabian and approached him
praising his arms. After the chatting, the brothers went to work again until sunset. On their way home,
Vidal saw a moth and paused to catch it but then; his brother crashed the moth in no time. Vidal
asked, “Why are you that way”. Fabian replied, “What is my way?”. “That way of destroying things
that are beautiful like moths”, Vidal answered. “Things that are beautiful have a way of hurting. I
destroy it when I feel a hurt”, Fabian explained. While eating dinner, Tinay did not join them for she
cannot leave her baby and her daughter Trining was playing siklot in a corner all by herself. Fabian
keeps on telling that Vidal must marry Milia so that they could have five carabaos. For the reply, Vidal
said that he will go with Miss Francia to the city to work as her model.
The next day, Fabian went to Miss Francia’s place. Instead of saying that Vidal will marry Milia for
the five carabaos, he said that his brother will have a child with Milia so that he may not go with the
said work in the city. Miss Francia did not say anything, but she asked Fabian to be her model to
finish her work. When Fabian went home, he saw his brother and his wife Tinay talking to each other
in the batalan. He heard that Vidal already accepted to marry Milia. Vidal watched Fabian cleansing
his face and arms and later wondered why it took his brother that long to watch his arms, why he
was rubbing them so hard as that.
Setting
• Field- where the brothers are working; where they met Miss Francia
• Miss Francia’s place- where Fabian told her that Vidal will have a child with Milia
• Batalan- where Vidal and Tinay talked to each other
• Fabian’s house- where they talked about the marriage of Vidal and Milia
Theme
The short story “Harvest” by Loreto Paras-Sulit is about the envious brother, Fabian. Due to Fabian’s
envy to his brother, he even manipulated his brother’s own life to the point that he even talked to Ms.
Francia that his brother will have a child by accident so that she would cancel the work, offered to
his brother.
Title: Ang Kalupi/ The Wallet
Author: Benjamin Pascual
The story “Ang Kalupi” is about a usual yet unexpected encounter of a middle-aged housewife and
an indigent boy. Aling Marta, the protagonist of the story, did a heavy and unforgivable indiscretion,
judging the boy with his physical appearance, which led to something worse than she’d ever
imagined.
Characters
Aling Marta- The protagonist and the antagonist of Ang Kalupi. She accused the boy that she
believes steals her Kalupi/Wallet
Andres Reyes- The boy who was being accused by Aling Marta
Police Officers- Who catches the boy
Aling Godyang- The vnedor
Graduating Daughter- Daughter of Aling Marta
Conflict
The story high-lightened several types of conflicts: Man vs man, man against himself and man vs
society. The man vs man conflict is clearly showed through the encounters in the middle of the plot;
the confrontations between Aling Marta and the boy, the struggle between the policeman and the
boy, and when the police man and Aling Marta were arguing. On the other hand, the man vs himself
came about when Aling Marta was on the way home she was thinking whether she did the right thing
or not that caused the sudden accident and death of the boy because of her deeds. While the two
conflicts were obviously expressed, the last conflict man vs society, was implied. The present society
is under the impression of discriminating those are needy and poverty-stricken. The mere remark of
the class made people judge and devalue those are at this state. It is clearly implied when Aling
Marta being critic she really was, assessed the child or the boy as someone doing dirty work to
acquire money because of his indecent appearance, thus making way for the main problem in the
story.
Plot
The story began with the part where the reason Aling Marta was in the market her character and
personality was introduced. The middle part of the story was comprised mainly the conlicts between
Aling Marta and the boy she bumped in to the market. Also, the character of the boy was disclosed.
Finally, the last part the ending revealed the real reason why Aling Marta hasn’t found her wallet,
because she forgot it in her house concluding the story as a tragedy.
Setting
The setting of the story played an integral part on setting the mood and atmosphere of the story to
deliver effectively what the author wants to point out when he wrote it. This story was situated in a
public place where people like the boy in the story lurk abundantly. In this way, the story smoothly
made its way into setting up the mood of the scene for the climax to happen.
Symbolism
As mentioned earlier, the man vs society showed the main symbolism of the story. The boy people
easily judged him, being Aling Marta, as she blamed her own mistake to the poor innocent boy just
because he’s indecently presenting himself in the public. The society has this tendency to degrade
its people. As time passed by, its expectation eventually grew higher and higher that people are
finding it hard to catch up with making way to incidents like the one presented in this story.
Theme
The main theme of this story is the unequal scrutiny received by low people from those that are
excelling in keeping up with the society. People tend to judge the people they meet during their lives
on what they look like on the outside, without realizing that not everything that meets the eye satisfies
the truth. Not all that seen are true. “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.
Title: The Summer Solstice
Author: Nick Joaquin

Setting

The main events in the story happened in the Moretas residence and at their town’s mini plaza and
those happened during the night.

Characters

Donya Lupeng Moreta- Long-married woman with three children

Don Paeng Moreta- the highly moral husband of Donya Lupeng
Guido- young cousin to the Moretas who studied in Spain
Amada- the family cook and Entoy's wife
Entoy- the family driver

Plot

The story happened during the St. John's Day, Doña Lupeng finds Amada in a state of madness and
ecstasy after the latter attended the local ritual of
Tadtarin, where the women dance and invoke the spirit to empower them. And then they went to the
house of their grandfather to celebrate the feast where she meets and enchants
Guido, who tries to encourage to believe in the magic and power and of how beautiful is the tadtarin
ritual. Unsettled, Donya Lupeng joins the last day of the ritual and dances with the other women to
her husband's horror. When they arrive at their house, Don Paeng tries to chastise his wife, but
Donya Lupeng, flushed and freed by the ritual, subverts him instead.
Conflict

Woman vs. Man Its because of the scene that Lupeng or even Amada wants to be adore by their husband in a
way just like a slave to its master.
Climax

The conflict of the story starts when Doña Lupeng and her husband went to the Tadtarin on it is the
last day where Lupeng was so carried away by the ritual that even his husband can’t stop her from
joining the ritual dance until Don Paeng lost her inside the church with the Cult because he was battered
and thrown out by the women of the Tadtarin. And when they were home, the confrontation between the couple
starts.

Ending

The ending was a success for Doña Lupeng even if Don Paeng resists what she wants him to do,
but as the epigraph shows, he submits in the end.

Theme

The story focused about the Christianity and Paganism, and also in the Faith and Superstitions.

Tone/Atmosphere

The story was full of mystery specially, about the Tadtarin ritual.

Moral/Valuable Experience

There’s nothing wrong to believe in superstitions but having faith to God is more important.
Title: Dead Stars
Author: Paz Marquez- Benitez
Characters
 Alfredo Salazar – son of Don Julian; engaged to Esperanza but is still fleeting to Julia Salas
 Esperanza – literal-minded and intensely acquisitive; one of those fortunate women who
have the gift of uniformly beauty; engaged to Alfredo Salazar
 Julia Salas – sister-in-law of Judge Del Valle; the other girl of Alfredo Salazar that remains
single in her entire life
 Don Julian– father of Alfredo Salazar and Carmen
 Carmen– sister of Alfredo Salazar
 Judge Del Valle – brother-in-lawof Julia Salas
 Donna Adella – sister of Julia Salas; small and plump, a pretty woman with a complexion of
a baby with an expression of a likeable cow
 Calixta– note-carrier of Alfredo Salazar and Esperanza
 Dionisio– husband of Donna Adella
 Vicente – husband of Carmen
 Brigida Samuy – illusive woman whom Alfredo is looking for
Introduction
At Don Julian’s house, Carmen was asking Don Julian about Alfredo and Esperanza. Alfredo
reminisced how he met Julia Salas.
Rising Action
The Story Plot Alfredo had gone neighboring with Don Julian to Judge Del Valle’s house. He met
Julia Salas. All the time he was calling her Mrs. Del Valle which led him to embarrassment afterwards.
Coming to the Judge’s house became often. Then he realized he was in love with Julia despite his
engagement with Esperanza.
Climax
The Story Plot After the procession for The Lady of Sorrows, Alfredo caught up with Julia. It was
when Julia found out about Alfredo’s wedding, so she congratulated him. Alfredo needs to make a
very difficult situation. Would he choose what he WANTS to? Or would he choose what he has to?
Falling Action
Julia wants Alfredo to honor his understanding with Esperanza so she said goodbye. Alfredo went
home to Esperanza. And there, the last word has been said.
Resolution
Alfredo and Esperanza got married. After eight years, he went to Sta. Cruz, Julia’s hometown, to
search for a lady named Brigida Samuy who is important for his defense in the court. He went to
Julia’s house and he found her there, still unmarried. And he realized that his love for Julia was like
a Dead Star. It was non-existent.
Synopsis
Alfredo Salazar was betrothed to Esperanza, his girlfriend for four years. The start of their relationship
was relatively “warm”, with Alfredo wooing Esperanza like a man in dire lovesickness. But as the
years went by, the warm love’s fire slowly flickered, and it was because of Julia Salas.
She was charming and gleeful. Alfredo shared moments of light with her but sometimes deep
conversations when he visits Julia’s brother-in-law, who was a judge. He always went there with his
father and since it was his father who needed to talk to the judge, he was always left out to Julia’s
company. He never told her he was engaged. At first, he didn’t notice that a change in his heart was
taking form.
But then he started keeping details of his activities to his fiancée and then the guilty feeling crept in.
When he found out that Julia was about to head back to her distant hometown, he felt blue and
frightened. He met her in the church after the Holy Thursday procession, although he knew that
Esperanza was already waiting for him. He approached her, and she conversed with him with an
expression that told him she finally knew. She congratulated him and said she will be at his wedding.
Then they parted.
When he visited Esperanza in her house, he overheard her talking to another woman about infidelity
and immorality, to which he reasoned in favor of the condemned. The statement caused an intense
fury to Esperanza and she told him that she knew. She dared Alfredo to abandon her, along with
morality and reason and her dignity as a woman as well as her image before the society all for the
sake of his “being fair to himself”.
Eventually the wedding took place. And after several years, Alfredo was sent to a distant village due
to a legal assignment. It bothered him so much because it was near Julia’s hometown. But he still
found himself making his way to her house. And there, he found her, just as how and where he
expected her to be. She never married. And he wondered how life would be if he ended up being
with her.
But all was too late, and he could never bring things back. He also noticed that Julia lost something,
albeit the fact that he didn’t know what that is – youth, love, luster? And when he looked at her he
doubted if she ever cared for him if he has mistaken the past light in her eyes as manifestations of a
possible romance. But now they’re all gone and so it was indeed all done.
Setting
 Don Julian’s house
 Judge Del Valle’s house
 Don Julian’s house in Tanda
 Calle Real
 Sta.Cruz
Theme
The short story "Dead Stars" by Paz Marquez Benitez is conveying the theme that pertains to
forbidden love. It says that forbidden love is only apparent, and its banes haunt the person until such
time that he realizes his faults.
Conflict
Man vs. Circumstances "Julita," he said in his slow, thoughtful manner, "did you ever have to choose
between something you wanted to do and something you had to do?"
 Afro-Asian Literature
Title: The Fox and The Bear
Author: Yoshiko Ushida
Characters
 Mrs.Bear
 Mr.Fox
Setting
 Japan

Plot
The fox and the bear had a planned that they will plant a crop. They plant a crop and when the crop
grows they will divide it in to two. The fox decide that he will take the half that grows under the soil.
Then the bear agreed. After the fox had finished taking the half of the crop, he slipped away quietly.
And after the bear gathered her green, she carried them to her cave. Morning came then the bear
woke up. She found the leaves had begun to wither and die. She tried eating the few, but they were
bitter.
She go to the fox and saw that the fox was eating. She came near to the fox and asked if where the
roots she pulled out yesterday are. In addition, she said that the leaves dried. And the bear adds, if
she could taste some of the carrots. The fox then said that they have a bargain.
a few weeks later, the fox appeared again to the bear. Then he said that they plant another crop and
the bear would choose now. The bear is tricked again by the fox, so the bear planned to trick the fox.
The bear is eating meat and the fox saw it. So, the fox immediately went to the bear to asked, if
where did she get the delicious meat. And the bear said that he gets it from a horse, so the fox run
quickly and bit the leg of the horse. But the horse kicked the fox and was throwed and was stocked
in a biggest tree.
Reflection
In the story, we get a lesson from it. We have no right to deceived or cheat to others because time
will come that the one who you cheated will cheat on you too
Title: Cabuliwallah
Author: Rabindranath Tagore
Setting
 Calcutta, India

Characters
 Rahman “the Cabuliwallah” the fruitseller from Kabul who comes to Calcutta to sell his wares
in the streets
 Mini - A small girl who became a very good friend of the Cabuliwallah.
 Mini's father (the narrator of the story) who learns at the end of the story that all fathers in
the world are same -like him (a scholar and a writer) and the Cabuliwallah (a poor
uneducated fruit-vendor).
Plot

The story starts when Mini, a talkative 5-year old girl, meets a Cabuliwallah. At first, the innocent
child thought thatthe Cabuliwallah kidnaps kids. Mini's parents also have doubts about this
Cabuliwallah. But as time goes on, the two far apart in age, became very good friends. Mini felt closer
to this unknown fellow who gave her lots of almonds and raisins. But everything changed when
Rahman was sent to jail for murderous assault. Time passed by and Mini is now getting married.
During the wedding night, Rahman paid a visit to see Mini only to find out that she has forgotten him
a long time ago.
The Cabuliwallah explains to Mini's father that he also has a daughter like Mini. Rahman misses his
daughter so much and that's why he felt close to Mini. Touched by the Cabuliwallah's story, Mini's
father realized that all fathers are the same-- whether you are a writer or a Cabuliwallah.

Theme

A father’s love for his child is one of the central themes of the story.
Cabuliwallah always carried an imprint of his daughter’s little hand close to his heart which reminds
him of a loving touch, as he comes year after year to Calcutta to sell his wares in the streets. This
description of action shows Rahman, the man from Kabul, as a loving
father. Another theme of the story is friendship.
The story shows how to establish a good relationship with the people you meet. We should stop
judging by mere appearance and learn how to look on what’s within.

Tone
Rabindranath Tagore uses a positive tone. Even though there were sad parts which shows the
struggles of the characters, happiness still reigns in the story. It is because at the end, the characters
had overcome all the difficulties.

Mood
The story “Cabuliwallah” is heartwarming. The author showed us “a father’s sacrificial love” through
his story.
Title: The Spider’s Thread
Author: Akutagawa Ryonosuke
The story entitled "The Spider's Thread" taught us a valuable lesson about attitude of a person. This
story was about a man, a notorious, a murderer, a prisoner and performed other act of evil whose
named Kandata. Despite of being a very sinful man in the story, the Buddha still gave him a chance
to get out of Hell and gave him a chance of salvation. Through, his one good deed the Buddha got
his attention and offer his compassion to hound Kandata from floating and sinking in the Lake of
Blood at the bottom of Hell.
Setting
 Along the edge of the Lotus pond in paradise
 n the depth of Hell
 In the Lake of Blood
 At the bottom of the Hell
Characters
 Buddha- the powerful God
 Kandata- the sinful man

Development of the Conflict)

Kandata, a sinful man float and sank along with other sinners in the Lake of Blood at the Bottom of
the Hell.
Climax
Buddha recalled Kandata's kind act performed and thought to use his good deed a way of giving a
chance to save him from fate.
Denouement
Buddha used a spider's thread to help save Kandata to get out from Hell.
Ending
Kandata have been surprised that even after such severe punishment he still given a chance of
salvation.
Reflection
This story entitled has the same thing of what God revealed in the Bible particularly in our religious
belief. Even how sinful we are, if there are good deeds that God be appreciated on us we are still
possibly given a chance of God's help. God is very compassionate to those who are doing righteous
things. God is good that every willing to hound and save the person from fate if he had attracted of
his good deeds. This story taught valuable lesson to everyone. It reminded us of what God has taught
in the Bible and let us always bear in mind the saying, "There, is nothing impossible with God."
Title: May Day Eve
Author: Nick Joaquin

The story started with a flashback. Dona Agueda was facing the mirror on Monday eve because her
sister told her to do so. Dona Agueda really believed in her sister. That's when she faced the mirror,
her future lover would appear in the mirror.
As soon as Don Badoy appeared in the mirror, they decide to marry each other because they
believed in Anastasia. When they got their married life began to be miserable. Because, of the fact
that they don't love each other and nothing special happened to them.

The story implies that we should not believe in superstitions. In marriage, we should always consider
love because love is the foundation of all.
We shouldn't force another person to love us in return. Instead, do something special in order, for
you to be loved back.

The theme centers on intense remorse caused by wrong decisions. Like believing in superstitions.
The plot revolves around Don Badoy who live his life with regrets. He realizes that Dona
Aguedaforces him to marry her.

Inner Conflict

He could not accept what he had done to Dona Agueda, a miserable life. He could not accept that
he takes advantage of the superstitions.

Realization

He could not undo what he had done.

Message

You are willing to make sacrifices for the one you love.
Title: The Happy Mirror
Author: A Japanese Folk tale
Summary
Many years ago, there was a small family in Japan. There lived a father, mother and their little
daughter. They took their daughter to the temple when she was only thirty days old wearing a long
kimono like all Japanese babies do. The parents gave the baby a set of beautiful dolls on her first
doll festival, and when their daughter turned three, she was no longer a baby but a little girl fast
growing up. She was loved by her parents very much. One day, a messenger came and brought
news that the father is needed by the Emperor to Tokyo. They haven’t had a horse, so the father will
need to walk the long way. The mother and the little daughter bid farewell to the father and promised
him that they will take care of each other and will wait for him. After many days, the father came back
and brought the mother and daughter presents. The little girl received a doll and she was very glad
while the mother was amazed by the present. It was a thing which she saw a beautiful face of a
woman. The husband laughed and told her it was a mirror and she only saw her own reflection. He
told her that if she brings a smile to the mirror, she will see a smiling face and if she didn’t it will reflect
the mirror. The wife thanked her husband and promised that she will always bring a smiling face to
the mirror. She often looked at the mirror and does what she had promised. She would always see
a happy face in it. Many years passed by and she grew tired of looking at it. She decided to give the
precious gift to her daughter who grew into a woman exactly like her mother. One day, she called
the daughter and gave a beautiful box and the daughter was surprised of what she saw. It was the
image of her mother inside the round shiny thing. It was the image of her mother she used to look at
when she was a little girl. The mother told her to smile every time she will look at her inside the mirror
and assured her that she will smile back. For that day on, the daughter kept the box near her. Once
each year, she opened it and proved that her mother’s words was always true. Always she saw her
mother’s smiling face when she smiles at her. The daughter always remembers to bring smiles to
the thing inside the little box, and always the smiles come back at her.
Settings
The story happened in Japan many years ago. The little house of the little family was home full of
love and affection to each other.
Characters
Father – a loving husband and father. He values and appreciates his wife and daughter very much.
Mother – a good and loving wife. She was a perfect example to their daughter.
Daughter – a good daughter to her parents. She was exactly like her mother.
Plot
The plot of the story The Happy Mirror is in organic form. Unlike the episodic, it is not divided into
separate related parts. It only revolves n a single theme and there is unity in the ideas of the short
story.
Conflict
Man Vs. Himself
Point of view
The story is in the third person point of view because the story is not told by a character but by an
“invisible author,” using the third person pronoun (he, she, or it) to tell the story.
Theme
Everything we do reflect to what kind of person we are.
Literary movement
This story may be classified under Realism because it aimed to depict ordinary life of a Japanese
family. Although it happened a long time ago, it still falls in this literary movement because of the
ordinary language used and it gives an honest portrayal of the character.
 American Literature
Title: A Dark Brown Dog
Author: Stephen Crane
"A Dark Brown Dog" is a depressing and dreadful short story that revolves around the relationship
of a little boy and dog. It starts with the playful meeting of both the dog and boy and the unfortunate
turn of events when the boy starts to hit the dog. Soon, it moves onto the boy leaving the dog to go
home and the dog following him, hoping for the boy to take him in, even though the dog just beat
him. Seeing that the dog followed him, the boy's family had a family meeting on taking the dog in and
ended up adding the dog to their family. However, it was barely a family for the dog because the dog
got abused by the family, and at times, even the little boy. But it was mostly the family, especially
when the little boy was not there. The story has a turning point when the father comes home drunk
and ends up throwing the dog out of the window causing the little boy to chase after the poor little
dog.

Setting

A reader should be able to infer that the story takes place somewhere urban, like a city, due to the
first two paragraphs that talked about trucks, avenues, and streets. If not, then it should be seen
through imagery by the setting of the ending in the alleyway and five story building. However, the
time frame is not stated, but a person could tell that the time is somewhere in the past because of
the actions of public animal abuse and the fact of the boy walking around his neighborhood by
himself. We believe that the setting is influenced by the Jim Crow Era, or time after the Civil War
based on the symbolism of the story (that will be explained later).

Mood

The mood is depressing only because of all of the demonstrated abuse and pain the dog is put
through. When reading this, a few of us actually thought of domestic abuse between a male and a
female, while some others imagined slavery.
Conflicts

The story gives an example of an external conflict. The external conflict is between the dog and the
family- which symbolizes man vs. society, because slaves were treated very poorly against their
society- and the dog vs. father- which symbolizes man vs. man, which was common in the time of
Jim Crow Laws for there were people who ended up hurting one another in a physical fight. One of
us actually thought of an internal conflict, or man. vs. self, because they imagined the dog having
many arguments with himself because he wanted to stay with the boy but leave from the abuse of
the family.

Theme

There are many themes in the story. They could vary from friendship to abuse. Our favorite theme
was about abuse and neglect: "When a relationship continues to hurt you over and over again
eventually, you have to decide whether you would be better off without it."

Theme Statement

Within Stephen Crane's historical fiction short story, entitled, "A Dark Brown Dog", he discusses
slavery to reveal that abuse and neglect is something that shouldn't be ignored. It should be
something that should be taken care of immediately.
Title: The Skylight Room
Author: O. Henry
Summary
In New York, the beautiful and delicate Elsie Leeson rent for little money a small room "the skylight
room" in the attic of Mrs. Parker retired and dreams every night a better life contemplating the stars
in the sky, especially his favorite star that she nicknamed Billy Jackson. On summer nights, the
roomers gather on the front steps to pass the time and talk. Miss Leeson is very popular due to her
youth and charm. One of the older men, Mr. Hoover becomes enamored with Miss Leeson.
Elsie, for living, working as a typist but the work goes wrong, and she ends up being left without a
penny. Starved and weakened, one evening, admiring the stars, Elsie falls unconscious to the
ground. Is located and transported to a nearby hospital where, as reported by the newspaper the
next day, is curated by an interior that by the name of Billy Jackson.
Introduction
Miss Leeson buys a Skylight Room with money she can afford.
Rising Action
Meets Billy Jackson the Star
Climax
Job become scarce so, Miss Leeson goes to room without and food, dying from starvation.
Falling Action
Fello Lodgers find her in her room and call ambulance.
Resolution
Gets treated from Dr. William Jackson.
Characters
 Miss Elsie Leeson- The protagonist a major character of the story because the story is told
about how she feels, but it isn’t really told from her perspective.
 Mr. Hoover- would be considered a major character in the story because he is Miss Leeson’s
love interest in the story, as well as a fellow lodger.
 Mrs. Parker- She would be Static/Minor character because she has small parts of her own
in the story. Also, she stays, the same during the story.
 Mr. Skidder- He would be considered a Static/Minor character because while he has little,
he isn’t talked about much in the short story
 Mr. Evans- would also be a Static/Minor because he stays the same throughout the whole
story
 Miss Dorn- would be a Major character she is well-known to Miss Leeson and she has her
special moments in the story
 Miss Longnecker- she is a major character in the story, she also well- known to Miss Leeson.
This story is told in Third Person Limited
Setting
The stories setting is in New York because the author of the book moved to New York to pursue his
writing dream.
Theme
Be thankful for whatever you have because even the smallest things can get a person, through”.
This quote teaches us to not be greedy for what we have and appreciate it much more because, in
the story, Miss Leeson suffered through a lot, but she was still thankful for all the little things she has
in her life, including her friends.
Title: The Necklace
Author: Guy Maupassant

Characters

The story centers around 3 characters: Mathilde Loisel, Monsieur Loisel and Madame Forestier.

 Mathilde is the main character. She is physically beautiful and social, and she wants
expensive items to match her beauty and sophisticated taste. But she is born into a clerk's
family and ends up marrying a clerk too. Due to life circumstances, she cannot afford the
materialistic clothing, accessories and household items that she wants which she is unhappy
about.
 Monsier Loisel is Mathilde's husband. He is a simple man of simple pleasures who is happy
with his life. He loves Mathilde a lot and tries to mitigate her unhappiness by getting her a
ticket to a fancy party.
 Madame Forestier is Mathilde's friend, of whom Mathilde is also very jealous of because she
is wealthy.

Summary

Monsier Loisel presents Mathilde with an invitation to the Ministry of Education's formal party, which
he expects Mathilde will be excited about because then she can dress up and mingle with high
society. On the contrary, Mathilde is immediately upset because she doesn't have a gown that she
believes is nice enough to wear to this sort of event. Mathilde's tears sway Monsier Loisel into buying
a new dress for her despite money being tight.

Mathilde asks for 400 francs. Monsier Loisel was planning on using 400 francs he saved up on a gun
for himself but agrees to give the money to his wife. Near the date of the party, Mathilde also decides
to borrow jewelry from Madame Forestier. She picks a diamond necklace from Madame Forestier's
jewelry box. The party goes well for Mathilde, who is the belle of the ball. When the night comes to
an end and the couple returns home, Mathilde is saddened by the humble state of her life compared
to the fairy-tale party she was just at. But this emotion quickly turns into panic as she realizes she
lost the diamond necklace Madame Forestier lent her.

The Loisels search for the necklace but cannot find it, and ultimately decide to replace it without
telling Madame Forestier that Mathilde lost the original one. They find a similar looking necklace and
in order to afford it they take out loans and go into debt. For the next 10 years, the Loisels live in
poverty. Monsier Loisel works 3 jobs and Mathilde does heavy housework until their debts are paid
off. In the process, Mathilde's beauty has turned into a haggard face tired from a decade of hardship.

One day, Mathilde and Madame Forestier run into each other on the street. At first, Madame Forestier
does not recognize Mathilde, and then is shocked when she realizes it is her. Mathilde finally explains
to Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace, replaced it and worked for 10 years to afford the
replacement. The story ends with Madame Forestier distraughtly telling Mathilde that the necklace
she gave her was fake and worth almost nothing.

Symbols

Given its central role throughout the story, the necklace is an important symbol. The fake diamond
necklace represents deception. During the night of the party, Mathilde dressed up in expensive
clothes, sparking accessories and escaped her more humble life. She was pretending to lead a life
that she did not have.
Similarly, the necklace represents the illusion of wealth that Madame Forestier, and the aristocratic
class in general, indulge in. While Madame Forestier knew the jewels were fake, she did not tell
Mathilde because she enjoyed giving off the illusion of generously lending an expensive item and
seeming wealthy. People often admire the wealthy, aristocratic class, but are people in awe of the
actual money they have in their pockets or the illusion of being affluent they want others to believe?
In the end, appearances are deceiving.

Theme

Another theme of the story is to be weary of pride. Mathilde's pride in her beauty is what prompted
her to greedily buy an expensive dress and borrow seemingly expensive jewelry. But it is this exact
pride that brought her downfall. She satiated her pride during that one party but paid for it with her
beauty as the next 10 years of hardship took away what she once treasured.
Title: What You Want
Author: O. Henry
Summary
There was a very rich person named Tom Crowley, he was a caliph. He had everything he wants
and because of that he despite everything that money can buy. He was tired with his activities clubs,
theatres, dinners, friends, music, money and everything. And at one night he goes out and try to get
something that he didn’t pay for. Then he meets James Turner that work in a hat cleaning shop.
James Turner was left from his cleaning shop and take a walk to look over the goods at a second-
hand bookstall. Tom will pay for James education at the finest college in the world, pay the expense
of James rummaging over Europe and the art galleries, and finally set you James in a good business.
But James Turner refuse the offer and said that the caliph was a faker.
The caliph felt so angry, he seized James collar and kick James thrice. the hat cleaner rallied and
clinched; two bookstands were overturned, and the books sent flying. Then someone bring them to
the nearest station house. The sergeant asks three hundred dollars bail for “fighting and disorderly
conduct," then the caliph take his money and gave it to the sergeant, but he ask to lock up James
turner. After a while, James turner was lying on the jail. Thinking of the caliph. Then someone come
to the door and said that he was free. The old man had already pay for the bail and left a book for
James Turner. The sergeant asked James turner to meet him, but James turner doesn’t go.
Theme
Socioeconomic; The economic and status gap between Tom Crowley and James Turner
Setting
 Location: Baghdad-on-the Subway
 Time: At the night
Characters
 Tom Crowley a caliph, very rich
 James Turner an employee, unpretentious
 Sergeant a policeman resolute
Moral Value
 Having much money doesn’t mean having much happiness.
 Learning is one of the finest thing in the world.
Title: The Young Crab and His Mother

Author: Aesop

This story of Aesop was short but meaningful.

"Why in the world do you walk sideways like that?" said a Mother Crab to her son. "You should
always walk straight forward with your toes turned out."

"Show me how to walk, mother dear," answered the little Crab obediently, "I want to learn."

So, the old Crab tried and tried to walk straight forward. But she could walk sideways only, like her
son. And when she wanted to turn her toes out she tripped and fell on her nose.

Moral

Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.
 World Literature

Title: The Gift of the Magi

Author: O. Henry

Characters

 Della Dillingham: A loving, devoted woman to her husband. Described in the story as a
young, affectionate, and selfless.
 Jim Dillingham: Della’s husband. Described in the story as a twenty-two- year-old thin man
who worked hard so they could have enough money to pay their flat. However, despite this,
he’s described as someone who’s contented, quiet, and good-natured. Loves Della as much
as she loves him.
 Madame Sofronie: The hair shop owner who bought Della’s hair for $20. She was mentioned
as a large, too white, and too chilly or cold despite being called Madame Sofronie.

Settings

Somewhere in New York City where the Dillingham couple lived in a shabby, scond story flat.

Time

Christmas Eve a long time ago

Mood

Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating

Summary
The story tells of a young married couple, James, known as Jim, and Della Dillingham. The couple
has very little money and lives in a modest apartment. Between them, they have only two
possessions that they consider their treasures: Jim's gold pocket watch that belonged to his father
and his grandfather, and Della's lustrous, long hair that falls almost to her knees.
It's Christmas Eve, and Della finds herself running out of time to buy Jim a Christmas present. After
paying all of the bills, all Della has left is $1.87 to put toward Jim's Christmas present. Desperate to
find him the perfect gift, out she goes into the cold December day, looking in shop windows for
something she can afford.
She wants to buy Jim a chain for his pocket watch, but they're all out of her price range. Rushing
home, Della pulls down her beautiful hair and stands in front of the mirror, admiring it and thinking.
After a sudden inspiration, she rushes out again and has her hair cut to sell. Della receives $20.00
for selling her hair, just enough to buy the platinum chain she saw in a shop window for $21.00.
When Jim comes home from work, he stares at Della, trying to figure out what's different about her.
She admits that she sold her hair to buy his present. Before she can give it to him, however, Jim
casually pulls a package out of his overcoat pocket and hands it to her. Inside, Della finds a pair of
costly decorative hair combs that she'd long admired but are now completely useless since she's cut
off her hair. Hiding her tears, she jumps up and holds out her gift for Jim: the watch chain. Jim shrugs,
flops down onto the old sofa, puts his hands behind his head and tells Della flatly that he sold his
watch to buy her combs.
The story ends with a comparison of Jim and Della's gifts to the gifts that the Magi, or three wise
men, gave to Baby Jesus in the manger in the biblical story of Christmas. The narrator concludes
that Jim and Della are far wiser than the Magi because their gifts are gifts of love, and those who
give out of love and self-sacrifice are truly wise because they know the value of self-giving love.

Themes

Love – One would need as great love as Della has for Jim (vice versa) to be able to sacrifice such a
precious thing. Although the sacrifices made were all in vain though as the gifts cannot be used, the
two doesn’t think so. They know now that they would both sacrifice their most prized possession for
each other. In the end, what they gave to each other was love.

Sacrifice – Throughout the whole story Sacrifice played a big role in the couple’s life. It started with
Della. She sold her hair even though it is a very precious thing for her and Jim. The same goes for
Jim when he sold his gold watch, just so he could have enough money to buy Della her present.

Title: The Brave Tin Soldier

Author: Hans Christian Andersen
Characters
 Tin Soldier
 Little boy
 Paper dancer
 Goblin
 Two boys with paper boat
Settings
 Toy room
 Outside the house
 Paper boat (in gutter)
 River
This is one of the most unusual fairytales by Andersen. It doesn’t have a happy ending and the main
characters suffer a tragic “death”. It talks about the love between a one-legged soldier, who
represents those who are different, and a beautiful paper ballerina.
The soldier met different characters from the children’s room and in the end, despite all the
temptations, he managed to get to his loved one.
Summary
Tin soldiers are made from tin spoon, one thin soldier has only one leg. This soldier sees a dancer
in a castle and mistakenly believes that she also has only one leg. The tin soldier is pushed out of
the window. The tin soldier was taken to a several places only to be returned to his old home. He is
cast into the stove for no reason. The ballerina is blown into the stove. They burn together, the soldier
melts into the shape of a heart.
Moral
The moral of the story is that in life we will encounter many obstacles but that in the end love is the
one that will save us. The soldier stays strong even though he spent his life standing on one leg. He
is small but still manages to fight off the temptations in order to see his ballerina one more time. It’s
a warm and emotional story about two lovers who are completely different than others because of
their looks.

Title: The Story of the Aged Mother

Author: Matsuo Baho
Setting

Shinano at the foot the mountain

Characters

 The aged mother- the main character of the story, who has the wisdom that brings to save
and benefited their land
 The young farmer- the son of the aged mother
 The daimio-the despotic ruler of Shinano but later on he learned to give importance the old
folks.

Themes

“A mother’s love is something that no one can explain. It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice
and pain, it is endless and unselfish”.

Conflict

Man vs. Man- the only antagonist in the story was the daimio who proclaimed a law to immediately
kill all the aged people.

Literary Movement

Realism- the situation in the story was once happened in the history of Japan, not by putting to death
the aged people but abandoning them. It views the once history of a certain country and the simplicity
of life. The story also contains lesson and the language used was simple and comprehensive.
“A mother’s love is something that no one can explain. It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice
and pain, it is endless and unselfish

The story shows us two important virtue- love and wisdom. Mother’s love is nothing can compare
nor measured; it is pure and unselfish and made of reverence. Truly we can say that we can found
heaven underneath mother’s feet for she fought cruelty with love and affection and true hero for
bringing out our courage to face the harsh realities of life. Most of all serves as our courage,
weakness and strength that guided us to walk through our journey called life.

In the saying “with the crown of snow, there cometh wisdom”- the crown of snow is pertaining to the
elders, emphasizes the importance of them in shaping our society. The word “there cometh wisdom”
explained that as we get old our everyday experiences makes us wit, and as we commit mistakes
learning comes. The old folks who undergone on the different challenges in life and had survive
serves as our guiding path because their varied experiences teach us to become wise; wise enough
to know right from wrong.
Title: Desiree’s Baby

Author: Kate Chopin

In Désirée’s Baby by Kate Chopin we have the theme of identity, racism, gender and shame. The
story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after first reading the story the
reader realizes how important the title of the story is. By associating the baby solely with Désirée
and not with Armand as well, Chopin succeeds in mirroring Armand’s attitude to the baby. In
Armand’s eyes, due to the mixed racial heritage of the child, the baby is Désirée’s responsibility and
not his. As far as Armand is concerned, the child’s mixed race comes from Désirée and not from him
and as such he wants no involvement with either Désirée or the baby.
Through the narrator the reader learns that neither Madame nor Monsieur Valmondé know Désirée’s
true identity. Despite speculation as to who may have left her at Valmondé nobody knows who her
parents are or where she may have come from. Rather Madame Valmondé views Désirée’s arrival
as an act of Providence and treats Désirée just as if she was her own daughter. By having so little
known about where Désirée comes from, Chopin succeeds in adding some mystery to the story. This
lack of knowledge about Désirée also serves to lead the reader to believe (until the last paragraph)
that it is Désirée who is of mixed racial heritage and not Armand.
Chopin further explores the theme of identity when Madame Valmondé visits Désirée and she holds
the baby up to the light. Désirée thinks her mother is doing so because she is surprised at how big
the baby has grown but it becomes clear to the reader that Madame Valmondé can see (and wants
to confirm in the light) that the baby is of mixed racial heritage. It is also interesting that Zandrine
turns her face away from Madame Valmondé when she is holding the baby, the reader suspecting
that Zandrine is fully aware that the baby is not white and as such is also aware of the consequences
that face Désirée. Also, in many ways Désirée’s identity (or at least her perception of who she is, a
white married woman) is taken away from her later in the story by the knowledge that the baby is not
white and the assumption that she is the one who is from a mixed racial heritage.
There is also some foreshadowing in the story which is worth noting. Chopin describes Armand’s
home (L’Abri) as ‘a sad looking place’, with a roof that is ‘black like a cowl’, surrounded by ‘solemn
oaks’ and ‘far reaching branches that shadowed it like a pall.’ These descriptions are important as
by drawing imagery more associated with death or darkness, Chopin is in some ways preparing the
reader for what happens later in the story (the discovery that the baby is of mixed racial heritage and
the possible death of both Désirée and the baby by drowning). It is also interesting that L’Abri when
translated into English (from French) means ‘the shelter.’ It is possible that Chopin is deliberately
being ironic. A shelter is commonly associated with a place where someone feels safe or protected,
yet on discovery of her child’s mixed racial heritage, rather than being protected by L’Abri and
Armand, Désirée has to leave.
There are also traces of racism in the story. There is the obvious fact that Armand ignores the baby
based solely on the child’s skin colour. There is also the fact that Armand beats the slaves on his
plantation. If anything, it is possible that Armand views his slaves as inferior to him. This perceived
superiority that Armand feels over black people would have been common in the American South at
the time that Chopin wrote the story, with most white people considering those who were black or of
mixed racial heritage to be inferior. Désirée herself by her reaction to the baby’s skin colour and her
subsequent conversation with Armand is only too aware of the significance of skin colour to society.
She knows that it is impossible to remain in the relationship with Armand due to the shame that
having a mixed race, child will bring on Armand and his family name. It is for this reason that Désirée
asks Armand should she leave.
Chopin also explores gender roles in the story, particularly the role of the female. From the beginning
of the story the reader becomes aware that Armand can give a socially accepted legitimacy to
Désirée by giving her his name. This is significant as Chopin may be suggesting or highlighting to
the reader the subservience of not only Désirée but women in general at the time that the story was
written, reliant on the male to provide legitimacy or validation. It would appear that by having
Armand’s name, Désirée is in turn being accepted by society. The fact that Désirée also asks Armand
should she leave also suggests that not only does she feel shame but that she is subservient to him.
It is on his decision that the matter is resolved. Just as there is a sense of inequality between black
and white people in the story, there is a sense that women too are not equal to men. It may also be
important that Madame Valmondé never criticizes Armand over Désirée leaving. Again, this could
suggest that the role of the female (at the time the story was written) was to accept any decisions
made by the male, not to question them.
By revealing at the end of the story that it is Armand who is from a mixed racial heritage, Chopin
succeeds in again introducing irony into the story. However, there is no sense that Armand will
change, despite being aware of his heritage. Rather any evidence (his mother’s letter) that reveals
his true identity (mixed race) is to be destroyed in the fire along with Désirée’s belongings. It is quite
possible that Armand is driven by fear. By destroying his mother’s letter, he may be hoping that his
own true identity will not come to light.
Title: The Selfish Giant
Author: Oscar Wilde
As the tale goes, a selfish giant had a beautiful garden full of green grass, trees, and flowers. For
seven years, as the giant visited a friend, the village children enjoyed playing in the garden. But when
the giant returned, he sent the children away and kept the garden closed up. As a result, all the
seasons except winter refused to grace the giant's garden, and so only winter weather prevailed.
One day, the giant hears a bird singing: a sign of spring's return. He soon finds that spring has
returned because the children have been sneaking in and reclaiming the garden for their gathering
place. However, there is one small boy blinded by his own tears of frustration because he cannot
climb up into a tall tree. Unlike the other children, the little fellow hugs and kisses the giant for helping
him into the tree. Now spring prevails everywhere.
Much to the giant's sadness, the one small fellow who kissed him never shows up again. But the
giant grows old in the presence of the happy children sharing his garden space.
One day, when the giant is nearing the end of his days, the small child appears again. The giant is
concerned when he sees that the boy has nail wounds on his hands and feet. But the boy tells him
not to be upset, because they are wounds of love. Moreover, the boy has come to take the giant to
Paradise, or heaven. Shortly afterwards, the happy giant dies, and his body is found lying under the
tree, covered in blossoms.
Theme
Give happiness and gain happiness.
This had been showed by the Giant who was very selfish and had a cold heart. He did not want
anyone to play in his beautiful garden. Nevertheless, an incident changed his thought and he let the
children play in his garden. It happened one day when he heard linnet singing and when he looked
through the window, he saw his garden bloom again. The children crept through a little hole and
they sat in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see was a little child. The trees had
covered themselves with blossoms. Only in one corner it was still winter. It was the farthest corner
of the garden and in it was standing a little boy. He was so small that he could not reach up to the
branches of the tree and he was crying. The Giant's heart melted as he looked out. He regretted for
being selfish. So, he went out to the garden and put the boy up into the tree. The tree broke at once
into blossom. The little boy was so happy. The little boy stretched his two arms and flung them around
the Giant's neck and he kissed him. This incident made the Giant changed his heart. He gave
happiness to the children and he himself also gain happiness.

Moral Values
 We should not be selfish. We have to think about others too. Because being selfish is like
being a fool. The Giant showed his selfishness when he did not allow the children to play in
his garden. Then, he regretted for being selfish when the other seasons did not come to his
garden.
 We should share with others the things that can be shared together. In the story, the Giant
had a beautiful garden which at first, he did not want to share it with the children. In the end
he shared it with the children because the children are the most beautiful flowers to him.
 We need to be kind to others. This is because it will make us happy. In our life, we can either
choose the way we want to live. We can either choose to be happy or to be sad all the time.
That is why being kind is very important because you would not have to fight with others.
Thus, it will make you closer to people around you and respect one another.