Naquila, Russel Angelo B. - Written Work 4

I. Essay Questions for the poem “Agua de Viuda” 

1. How was the word viuda defined in the poem?

 

     Viuda is a Spanish word originating from Latin, which is also extensively used in the Philippines due to their similar meanings and origins. As discussed in the poem, Viuda is defined as a widowed lady or a woman who has lost her spouse or partner and is alone. In the fourth verse, it was also stated that the old definition of viuda is inferred in Sanskrit, "vidhwa," which means "solitary." It is also defined in several places as someone who is separated and alone and only eats boiled rice, but is neither widowed (nor bereft) nor grieving (no bereavement). And they frequently treat their sadness in the same way that the wife of Bath does when she goes on a pilgrimage in red silk stockings.

2. Identify and discuss the figures of speech used by the author.

       The author used several figures of speech to make the poem more interesting and captivating for the readers. The author employed metaphors in the third verse while describing what or how a viuda feels like.These metaphors include: the musk of a woman wasted on aloneness, and a chest of secrets opened. It also includes personification, particularly, almonds trailing after a promise unfulfilled and the pray of freesias on a day drained wishing for something back. The poem also includes hyperboles like the burst of Jasmine on a night spent dwelling on a mistake and nip and sting of orange peels while pondering revenge. Furthermore, in the last part of the poem, the author mentioned that she was a widow but, she was only referring to it metaphorically. 

3. The second stanza tells you that the death of her grandmother was sweet for some, why is that so? 

     Some may consider her grandmother's death to be a happy ending because her death occurred on the same day as her late husband's birth anniversary. Others may believe that even though they are no longer together, they are still connected in some way and will reunite soon because they are now both resting places. It could also be interpreted as a love rebirth and reunion. However, certain people, particularly those close to the family and especially those close to her, would still mourn and grieve her grandmother's passing. Because losing someone is difficult and will undoubtedly bring us pain and leave a void in our hearts. Consequently, the author highlighted in the second verse that while others may see her grandmother's death as a sweet conclusion, it is not so for her. Since losing someone in our lives can leave us feeling lonely, demotivated, and depressed.

4. Was the narrator a real viuda? Why, or why not? 

          The writer isn't a true viuda. She stated in the opening stanza that she has not and would not bury her husband. She also stated that she had already forgiven those who teased her about smelling like a viuda, which she certainly isn't. In the second stanza, she stated that the only viuda she knows is her grandmother, who died on the anniversary of her grandfather's birth.

 

          Despite the fact that she closed her poem with the phrase "I am a widow," she was simply referring to it metaphorically. Since she said that she was trying to reconcile her foolishness while still holding on to the possibility of flaming life, And she has the scent of sanggumay, which blossoms only after all of its leaves have fallen. Clearly, in this stanza, the author emphasized that it is important to accept and move forward so that we will overcome the challenges we face and through that, we can thrive, bloom and grow like an orchid. 

II. A critical analysis of “All these fighting cocks” 

       The story "All these Fighting Cocks" was written by the Dabawenyo writer and former editor-in-chief of the official student publication of Ateneo de Davao University, Reil Benedict Obingue. The piece was initially published in the short story category in LIKHAAN 13: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature in 2019. It tells the story in the third person, and it's about a wife who's having problems with her family. The author also utilized simple language and organized his thoughts well to make the story more understandable and concise for the reader. He also used creative writing for the story as it is a combination of realism and fantasy. Similarly, the story primarily centers on a family who was struggling in their day-to-day lives and had numerous obstacles as a result of their father's addiction to fighting cocks. In the real world, even from the past and until in the present time, fighting cocks or commonly known as sabong, is widely effectuated in many parts of the country. 

          In the beginning of the story, the narrator introduced that the husband insisted on not stopping in fighting cocks, indicating that he was addicted to it. In fact, there have been times when he has stayed up late and stolen from their savings, and ended up losing the game. On the other hand, his wife was having difficulties in their home, knowing that she didn't have anyone to assist her most of the time. As a result, it was clear that while the husband was engrossed in his habit and spent a lot of money on it, his wife was the one managing the household. When the wife found out that the fighting cocks where pecking the plants in her garden, she tortured them by piercing needles in their claws and after that, her husband became very displeased about it and slapped her. We can observe how women are treated in society and how they become victims of abuse and brutality from their partners or husbands in this section. However, the husband's actions did not end there, and he became more addicted to fighting cocks, prompting his wife to tie him up. It was the ideal way for the husband to stop becoming addicted to fighting cocks, but it was also a bit harsh on his part because he was treated with less respect as a result of his bad habits, which included fighting cocks addiction. Her husband's addiction to fighting cockroaches had a negative impact on their relationship as well as other aspects of their lives, particularly their finances. As a result, since the fighting cocks were useless, she decided to prepare a number of dishes with them that she and her children had never tried before. Her spouse, on the other hand, grew ill and began to get fevers, so they decided to take good care of him. However, the wife realizes that her husband is gradually transforming into a fighting cock, with some of his body parts beginning to mutate. When they ran out of fighting cocks to eat, she untied her husband, who had been transformed into a fighting cock, and got a knife, implying that they were about to eat him. 

          The story highlighted the difficulties that women face in our society. It also describes some of the challenges that most couples or families face on a daily basis. It also touched on a number of timely and relevant issues that our society is dealing with. Despite her gender, the woman in the narrative showed patience and strength and became resilient in resolving her family's concerns as well as her husband's issues. It represents women in modern culture, particularly mothers, who are dedicated to the management of the home. Furthermore, the story could be utilized as a lesson to set limits or boundaries in our actions, especially when they are harmful to us, so that we do not face serious consequences in the future. Finally, the story's female protagonist defies patriarchal stereotypes by effectively resolving her husband's obstinate and difficult behavior through her pride, patience, and strength as a woman.