Fiction and Brother Leon Brought Essay Example

his leg was bothering him again. Baldo noticed his mother and sister Aurelia and Maria in the kitchen, appearing to be crying. When their father saw Baldo, he removed the roll of tobacco from his mouth and started... [continues] "How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife" is a short story written by Manuel Arguilla, a highly acclaimed Filipino writer.

This renowned piece of literature from the Philippines, which has received awards, holds great significance for many people. To truly grasp its meaning, it is crucial to explore the author's background. Furthermore, we can employ formalistic, historical, and sociological approaches to gain deeper insights. Additionally, we will analyze prominent symbols and their various interpretations. Manuel Arguilla was born on June 17, 1911 in Bauang, La Union to Crisanto Arguilla and Margarita Estabillo. The Arguilla family lived a simple life centered around their small plot of land.

Manuel, a highly intelligent student with exceptional writing skills, achieved the second-highest rank in his high school graduating class. He then relocated to University of Philippines in La Union where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Manuel married Lydia Villanueva, also a writer, and they together moved to Ermita, Manila. Upon completing his college education, Manuel worked as a teacher at both the Bureau of Public Welfare and the University of Manila. After some years at the bureau, he was chosen as the managing editor for The Welfare Advocate newsletter.

The author, Arguilla, served at the Bureau until 1943 and then joined the Board of Censors. During this time, he worked for a Japanese propaganda agency and as an agent for the Markings' Guerillas, an

anti-Japanese rebel group. In 1944, he was discovered by the Japanese and arrested. After being tortured, he was executed at Fort Santiago. Arguilla is most famous for his story "How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife," along with over 50 other short stories such as "Midsummer," "Heat," and "Morning in Nagrebcan"...

The plot of the story follows a chronological arrangement from Maria and Baldo's arrival at Nagrebcan to when Leon's family accepts Maria as part of their family.

The point of view is first person since the author himself tells the story.

The setting takes place in Nagrebcan during evening when the sun begins to set. Nagrebcan is located in La Union and it is also where the author originates from.

The theme of the story is that sacrifice is necessary to endure a journey.

To succeed, one must demonstrate strength, determination, patience in difficult situations, and be willing to make sacrifices for happiness. It is crucial to persevere in order to achieve success. The conflict of the story revolves around Maria's fear that Leon's father will not accept her as his daughter-in-law due to her struggles with adapting to life in the province. Through their actions, words, thoughts, and physical appearances, the author or narrator indirectly reveals the characters' traits. The protagonist is Leon/Noel while Maria serves as his city-bred wife and a significant character. Baldo is Leon's younger brother and Labang is his pet bull. The challenges and obstacles faced on the journey towards achieving a goal are symbolized by the rocky road. This short story portrays the difficulties encountered by a married couple, emphasizing that married

life is far from easy... [continues]