Analysis of Banyaga:A Song of War By:

Charlson Ong
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1. Charlson Ong is a Filipino-Chinese. Hewas born on July 6, 1960. He currently teaches literature in
Unversity of the Philippines-Diliman. He was awarded because of his novel, “barrassment of
Riches”. He joined several workshops in the philippines and abroad.

2. He’s best known works are, Embarrassment of riches (2002), Banyaga: A song of war (2006), and
Blue Angel, White Shadow (2010)

3. Banyaga: A Song Of War

By: Charlson Ong

A. Meaning according the plot:

1.Symbolic : “Alarm clock”

2. Literal : “Time”

3. Metaphoric : “Call”

B. The authors relation with the main character(s):

1. The authors tells how ernesto faced struggels,pains and hardships in the past and the author tells
also that how difficult when you were outside the country.

2. Center of attraction is how ernesto became a strong man even he faced so many challenges in
his life especially in the past.

3. The environment: The philippines.

4. It shows sadness,anger, hardships ang also unequal treatment to people ang that was not they
deserved to be treat.

4. Plot:

•Ah-Fan send a apology letter to his cousin ernesto because the son of ah-fan, lee hap sun is not
available ,that’s why he send his third son Ah-Bun to be the helper but ernesto saw that there is a
three young boys, but in the end he get his three nephew.

5. Action

• Remembered his experiences in the hand of his uncle, and he don’t want to happened it again to
his three nephews

6. Conflict
A. What problems does the short story present?

• Ernesto was doubting if he will not take his nephews from the custom house because they’re like
him in the past , suffering their

7. Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is real,urban,actual ang conditional to the inhabitants or people

8. Characters:

A.Ernesto- is the main character, he is the one who save his three nephews from the custom house.

B. Ah-Bun,Ah-Tin- the two nephew

C.Ah-Fan- the cousin of ernesto and who sent a letter

D. Others: yu bien,martin,custom mens

9. Theme:

A. It tell us that we should not let our family experience sufferings o be hurt even though you had
a bad experience in you past.

B. The author wants to tell us that family is one of the greates gift from God

C. We should love our family unconditionally because family will be our shield if we are facing
some challenges in life.

10. Secondary topics:

• Being an Illegal

11. Structure

A. Introduction

• Ah-Fan sent a letter to ernesto. And saying, he will send his third son to be the helper of ernesto
but his cousin wants money and saying dowhat ever you want into my son.

B. Climax

• Ernesto need one helper but there is three young boys standing in the custom house. He was
just staring at them and wondering which is his nephew

C. Denouement

• He get his three nephews from the custom house he didn’t want to repeat the past again

12. Tone of the short story :

 • Merciful

13. Center of interest of the short story:

• If ernesto get his nephews from the custom mens.

14. Personal Value :

A. The author was the real narrator in the story, he just want to tell us the importance of it.

B. The author achieve that he touches the heart of the readers and tell to the readers that family is
very important in our life.