Introduction

We know for the fact that short stories and one-act plays were the fully
developed forms of Literature during the Colonial Period (American Occupation).
The short story was to be the showcase for the skill and art of Filipino writers
using English. One of the finest short story writers during this period was Manuel
E. Arguilla (1910-1944) who also covered a broad range of subject matters and
themes drawn from the experiences of Filipinos living in the 1930s.
The sarsuwela was replaced by one-act plays in 1930s. One-act plays which
were written by the students were staged. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1917-1995)
was the most prolific of the Filipino playwrights using English as medium of
expression (Lumbera B. and Lumbera C., 2005). In this period, the English
language was used as the medium of instruction in all Philippine schools
because of the imposition brought by the Americans. English opened the
floodgates of colonial values through phonograph records, textbooks, and
magazines originally intended for American children which influenced young
Filipinos. There was an establishment of public school system which marked the
beginning of Philippine writing in English. It is said that the University of the
Philippines was founded in 1908 in order to train young Filipinos for tasks in
colonial bureaucracy (Lumbera B. and Lumbera C., 2005). Indeed, there was a
spread of American culture happened during this period. The American style of
writing and its subject matters were incorporated, adapted, and imitated by the
Filipino writers. As a result, Philippine literature became international.
I want to discuss Manuel E. Arguilla’s short story entitled “How My Brother Leon
Brought Home a Wife” and Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero’s one-act play entitled
“Wanted: A Chaperon” for this literary analysis. I have chosen these works
because I find them interesting. These two works are interesting because they
give the readers meaningful and moral lessons in life. Even though we have
already discussed these in high school and in college, it seems that the lessons
from these stories are truly unforgettable and valuable.
In order for me to discuss these topics, various methods or literary theories will
be used. First, I will use Formalism which serves as the starting point for the
analysis and discussion. The analysis will also use Marxism to further discuss the
chosen topics. I will begin with Arguilla’s “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a
Wife”. This is to be followed by Guerrero’s one-act play “Wanted: A Chaperon”.
After which, will be the analysis of their similarity and differences.
Analysis and Discussions
The story “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” was set during the
1930s in Nagrebcan, Bauang La Union. The place is a province and we know
that the people who are living there would most likely be the farmers. The story is
told in the 1st person point of view and this narrator is Baldo, the younger brother
of Leon. His older brother is Noel but named by Maria as Leon. As what Baldo
realized: “But it was only the name of my brother Leon said backward and it
sounded much better that way.” Another major character found in the story is
Maria who is the wife of Leon. For Baldo, her name is “sosyal” and it is obvious
that she comes from a city.
The conflict shown in the story is centered between Maria and herself, as well as
the society by which Baldo and Leon lived in. We know that Maria is from a city
while her husband Leon is from a province. Maria is concerned if she’s going to
be accepted or not by Leon’s family despite of her social status. She was even
tested if she is worthy to be the wife of Leon. This was seen when Baldo ignored
his older brother’s question about why did they have to go to Waig instead of
Camino Real.
I think Maria is a good character in the story. I like Maria not because she’s kind
and lovely, but because she is not the typical “matapobre” as seen in the story.
She is indeed a sympathetic woman. In fact, Maria was a bit anxious because of
meeting Leon and Baldo’s parents for the first time. Maria is worried that she will
not be accepted by Leon’s father because she may not able to adapt their way of
living in the province. However, on their way home, she discovered the
differences of the life of the people lived there and the life in the city where she
met and fell in love with Leon. We can see Maria’s response when Leon asked
her: “You miss the houses, and the cars, and the people and the noise, don’t
you?” My brother Leon stopped singing. “Yes, but in a different way. I am glad
they are not here.” I appreciate her the most simply because she accepted and
respected Leon for what he really is. She didn’t care what Leon’s life back in
Nagrebcan. She was a supportive and a loving wife to Leon. She was so
endearing and kind-hearted lady. She was very keen to meet Leon’s family. It is
somewhat discouraging that the rural is different from the city but the closer they
get to the house, Maria still managed to overcome any trials. She admits for
having some fear, but she also shows clearly it did not stop her. I believe that
social status is not a hindrance if you truly love each other.
The first theme of this story is that no matter what it takes to be with the
one you love, you will do anything to be with that person. I know that
having a long and strong relationship with the person you love is seldom
nowadays. People tend to love one another at first but eventually end up
being bitter. Well, that kind of relationship is not a true love after all. If I’m
going to apply this significant theme or message to the life of Filipinos then
it can be said that as Filipinos, we are very emotional when we think of true
love. We also care about true love. There are Filipinos who turn to sacrifice
and endure things just to be happy. If you are sacrificing it truly means that
you value and you truly love this person (Adofina et al., 2013). In the story,
we can see that Maria will sacrifice anything just to be happy with Leon, her
only love. I can say that this love is true and genuine. This kind of love then
is truly authentic.
Another theme that is portrayed in the story is the saying that “Don’t judge
the book by its cover.” Baldo, when he first saw Maria, was surprised to
see that his brother Leon accompanied a woman who is different from
them because of her name, as well as lovely and beautiful appearance. He
said to himself that: “He did not say Maring. He did not say Mayang. I knew
then that he had always called her Maria and that to us all she would be
Maria; and in my mind I said ‘Maria’ and it was a beautiful name.” It is then
obvious for Baldo that Maria came from a city. As a person living in a
province, he has already the belief that people like Maria doesn’t belong to
them and is impossible to adapt their way of living in the province. But
despite of the test ordered by his father, Baldo somehow realized that
Maria is also a friend and should be treated like them knowing that she
proved worthy of it.
We can also see Filipino values or traits that are revealed within the story.
One trait is the goal to obtain one’s trust most especially when you want
your parents to have a permission to marry your chosen loved one. Filipino
parents are very hard to impress. It is hard to get their trust as well. But
what Maria did in the test that the father of Baldo and Leon gave to her
proved that she really deserved and love Leon. She will sacrifice anything
to be happy and be with her only love. Another value that is revealed within
the story is living a life of contentment. Filipinos who live in the province
are very well known to be simple yet they are contented for what they have.
They are happy with small things and appreciate what they have and how
they live life.
The one-act play “Wanted: A Chaperon” was set in the living room which was
simply furnished one Sunday morning, at about eleven. It is a comedy. The story
is told in the 3rd person point of view. The characters involved in this play were
Don Francisco the father, Doña Petra the mother, Nena their daughter, Roberting
their son, Doña Dolores, Fred her son, Francisco a.k.a. “Francis” the servant,
and Pablo the mayordomo. The play was written in a way that is simple, usual,
and humorous.
The play is all about the traditional way of courting and accompanying women on
a party and in other occasions which means that the portrayal of old customs are
seen in that play. Don Francisco is so strict not just with Roberting during the
money conversation, but also with his daughter Nena because he doesn’t want
Nena to go on a party or in any occasions unchaperoned most especially she’s a
lady. We can see this when Don Francisco had a conversation with his son
Roberting: “You young modern people. Do you realize that in my time when I
was courting your mother, her father, her mother, her three sisters, her young
brother, her grandmother, five first cousins and two distant relatives sat in
the sala with us?” He also added the reason of what he said about courting:
“Because in those days we were more careful about a woman’s reputation.” One
night, Nena goes out with Fred, her friend. Unfortunately, rumors right after their
date were spread. Many people think that something bad is happened to the two
of them. And for the townspeople, it’s inevitable. Until Doña Dolores, mother of
Fred, goes to the house of Don Francisco insisting that something happened
between his son and Nena. It is Doña Dolores’ plan to insist his son Fred to Nena
but nothing really happened in fact. The same situation is happened to Don
Francisco’s son Roberting at the end of the play. So to avoid these issues Don
Francisco and Doña Dolores look for chaperons for their children to guide them
instead of the muchacho (servant) (Casuyon, 2011).
The writer poked fun at middle-class characters grappling with the problem of
Americanization (Lumbera B. and Lumbera C., 2005). To use a Marxism
approach for this play, we can see how Don Francisco wanted to call himself as
someone who is high than their servant Francisco. He even changed Francisco’s
name into Francis to avoid confusion. Francis often gets into trouble and that’s
why he was being yelled by Don Francisco.
The message or the theme of the play is that our traditional culture, customs, and
ways of living must always be alive in our heart knowing that these are now
fading most especially in the technological age by which we are living in. We
have been adopting other countries’ cultures or activities that we are not open to
our own culture. Don Francisco said that: “Outward things change, like the styles
of women’s dresses and men’s ties, but the human heart remains the same.” I
think the play is a best example on how we should live our life with our own. That
is why there is a saying in Filipino that says: “Dapat nating mahalin ang sariling
atin.” We should then live life in accordance to our original beliefs that our
ancestors wants these teachings to be a mark for us Filipinos.
Another theme in the play is the giving of importance to the reputation of women.
As we all know, most young women nowadays are getting too liberated. They are
liberated in terms of their sexual behaviors or clothing ways that men would
easily tempted to them. As a result, they’ll end up being harassed or raped.
They’ll also end up being pregnant in an early age which can also lead to
abortion. However, the play only reminds us that young women should behave in
their daily living. It’s important for them not to be influenced too much by the
other cultures most especially some Westerners and Americans who are sexually
liberated. Filipino young women from the past used to be conservative and
modest. They were accompanied and courted by their parents or relatives
whenever they have occasions. We all know, for some reason, that women are
treated equally. But they should also learn and strive to live life carefully and
wisely most especially in the present time.
Also, there are people who tend to be so judgmental nowadays. They easily give
comments and opinions to other people without certain evidences. They are
gossipers who make the issues very complicated (Casuyon, 2011). I think, we
have to get rid of this unpleasant attitude as well because this would definitely
causes a lot of trouble.
Now, we can see clearly the differences between the two works above. In terms
of their similarity, Arguilla’s short story and Guererro’s play portrayed the socio-
economic problems in Philippine society. The characters think that social status
really defines them. We can see that Maria is from a city while her husband Leon
is from a province. Maria is concerned if she’s going to be accepted or not by
Leon’s family despite of her social status. We can also see that Don Francisco
thinks himself as high than their servant Francisco by treating him immorally. He
has a conflict with that kind of situation.
Conclusions and Insights
The two works are very good pieces because of the elements of fiction used and
the way these stories were defamiliarized. These works are great because of the
subject matters and styles of writing used by outstanding writers and playwrights
during the time of American Colonial period. I can say that we should learn to
make a difference in our lives because having a chance is the greatest gift we
can receive. Don’t let things like social status defines us. We should learn to be
sympathetic and understanding persons to others, be able to adopt our old ways
of living at least, be happy, and be wise. In these ways, we can live life
meaningfully.
Analysis of "How My Brother Leon Brought
Home A Wife" By Manuel E. Arguilla
In which the journey and the destination count.
***
When I first read "How My Brother Leon Brought Home A
Wife," I was in fourth grade. And just like any fourth
grader, it didn't mean anything to me. Or perhaps it did,
albeit in a very shallow, childish way. I remember thinking
that Maria is a clever and sweet girl when she called Leon
Noel. See, it's Leon spelled backwards! Oh, the simple
satisfaction of a child's discovery.
Reading it again several years after, proved to be more
than an eye-opener. The short story is not just a
recollection of an afternoon adventure with a brother's
fiancé. It's a plan made with good intentions, but was
executed with apparent cruelty.
The short story opened with a simple but direct (and quite
pictorial) description of Maria.
She stepped down from the carretela of Ca Celin with a
quick, delicate grace. She was lovely. She was tall. She
looked up to my brother with a smile, and her forehead
was on a level with his mouth. 
… Her nails were long, but they were not painted. She
was fragrant like a morning when papayas are in bloom.
And a small dimple appeared momently high on her right
cheek.
From here, all the other descriptions sprang from Maria.
Baldo, Leon's younger brother, see things only as Maria's
periphery. The narrative flow becomes based on whatever
Maria looks at, touches, or whoever comes near Maria.
She seems to be a beautiful light source, and any object
only becomes relevant when touched by her radiance.
Baldo was the one tasked to bring Leon and Maria to their
house. But instead of following camino real (which I
believe was the main road), Baldo guided Labang (the
carabao) the other way -- back to where Ca Celin dropped
them off and into the fields.
This is where things get mysterious … and awkward.
When I sent Labang down the deep cut that would take us
to the dry bed of the Waig which could be used as a path
to our place during the dry season, my brother Leon laid a
hand on my shoulder and said sternly: 
"Who told you to drive through the fields tonight?" 
His hand was heavy on my shoulder, but I did not look at
him or utter a word until we were on the rocky bottom of
the Waig. 
"Baldo, you fool, answer me before I lay the rope of
Labang on you. Why do you follow the Waig instead of the
camino real?" 
His fingers bit into my shoulder. 
"Father, he told me to follow the Waig tonight, Manong." 
Swiftly, his hand fell away from my shoulder and he
reached for the rope of Labang. Then my brother Leon
laughed, and he sat back, and laughing still, he said: 
"And I suppose Father also told you to hitch Labang to the
cart and meet us with him instead of with Castano and the
calesa."
What's admirable in Leon's personality is his calmness. He
might have already sensed that something is awry, yet,
just like most Filipinos, he chose to dwell on positive
things.
Without waiting for me to answer, he turned to her and
said, "Maria, why do you think Father should do that,
now?" He laughed and added, "Have you ever seen so
many stars before?"
And so they looked at the stars, and sang. They still sang
even after the cart's wheels hit a big rock. And Baldo
noticed that Leon and Maria's world is no doubt full of
happiness.
After realizing that they are getting nearer Leon's home,
Maria expressed her fear that his father may not like her.
Upon reaching their house, Leon immediately looked for
his father. But it was Baldo for whom the old man called.
"Did you meet anybody on the way?" he asked. 
"No, Father," I said. "Nobody passes through the Waig at
night." 
He reached for his roll of tobacco and hitched himself up
in the chair. 
"She is very beautiful, Father." 
"Was she afraid of Labang?" My father had not raised his
voice, but the room seemed to resound with it. 
And again I saw her eyes on the long curving horns and
the arm of my brother Leon around her shoulders. 
"No, Father, she was not afraid." 
"On the way---" 
"She looked at the stars, Father. And Manong Leon
sang." 
"What did he sing?" 
"---Sky Sown with Stars... She sang with him." 
He was silent again.
When Leon and Maria entered the old man's room, Baldo
was told to water Labang. And on his way out, he can’t
help but notice Maria again.
I looked at Maria and she was lovely. She was tall. Beside
my brother Leon, she was tall and very still. Then I went
out, and in the darkened hall the fragrance of her was like
a morning when papayas are in bloom.
The story started and ended in the description of the same
person. It is easy to think that the story isn't about Leon. It
is about Maria.
In fact, the road Leon's father told Baldo to take is also for
Maria. If one considers how Baldo and Leon had difficulty
in tying Labang to the cart, and even guiding him to the
part where the camino real curves (because Labang
wanted to go straight on), it is very apparent that even the
animal isn't used to taking that road.
Why the old man decided that the visitor ride on the hay in
a cart (in her high heels) and pass by the field instead of a
more comfortable calesa in a shorter road isn't answered.
The interrogation of Baldo (which doesn't provide straight
answers, too) seemed to be inevitable, but nonetheless
significant.
The epiphany in the story is very subtle. The falling action
quite abrupt. What could remain in the readers' minds is
the question of how Maria would keep her composure in
front of the old man considering the journey they have just
taken. She doesn't appear to have enough time to gather
her thoughts and feeling, any more than she has time to
rest.
And in the end. That's what the old man wants -- to see
her for what she really is.
In his novel The Winner Stands Alone, Paulo Coelho
wrote, “Life has many ways of testing a person's will,
either by having nothing happen at all or by having
everything happen all at once.” He implies that life is full of
surprises. And a person's character is reflected by his or
her reactions for both scenarios.
In Maria's case, everything seemed to happen all at once:
her desire to look the best she could, only to be part of an
uncomfortable journey, and then face a man whom
everybody seemed to be scared of.
Instead of complaining, she spoke calmly, remained full of
gaiety and laughter and finesse, and admired the beauty
of nature that Ermita is forever bereft. She may not have
gone through the tests of Psyche and Savitri, but in her
own difficult journey, she stood out for what she really is --
a beautiful woman inside and out.