Literary Analysis of Saint Augustine "The Confession"

Growing up, we were taught that the goal of living is to be happy. However, we thought that happiness can be found as intangible things. That is why we try so hard to save money to buy the things that we think can make us happy but a week or two after we got what we wanted, the happiness fade so we will be demanding another thing. We rely on our happiness to what we can have but not on God. That is why we will never be contented. The same way happened to Saint Augustine on his confessions.

“The confessions of Saint Augustine” is the translated autobiography from the original Latin work of Saint Augustine is entitled “Confessions by Saint Augustine of Hippo”. With modern English, the style of writing is Archaism which is a representation of the age of the literary work. It outlines Saint Augustine’s sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity as the theme of this literary work. He communicates with God through the use of rhetorical questions and he used highfalutin jargons in telling what happened to him and in describing his feelings.

The First-person is the point of view of these confessions since this is an autobiography of Saint Augustine. “The Confessions” is using the theological literacy in the presence of Saint Augustine to God’s admonition in which he articulates a Christian principle from the Scriptures. The principles were revealed through the Gospel- to be generous to the people who are in need, to not participate in riots, drunkenness, chambering, and wantonness, avoid strife, and a feeling of envy. Such gospel is found in Roman 13: 12-14 

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh”.

The narrative conflict of these confessions is person vs. fate/God. Fate is the internal struggle of Saint Augustine. The fate of losing the track but then found peace in God’s hands. By that, the subject of Saint Augustine’s confessions is “True happiness can be found in God’s presence”. It presents an insight to the reader that only those who believe in God can hear his words and those who follow his words will be granted the blessing of peace, serenity, and contentment.

Saint Augustine was bothered by his restless soul due to his wrongdoings. He tried to use love and friendship to make him feel good but still, he was not satisfied, it was not enough, only then he realized that only God can give him the peace that he seeks for a long time. Through these confessions, the reader would be encouraged to reflect on whatever wrongdoings they have done, and repent. This is somehow a reminder of all Christian- who lose their interest, in pain, carry so much burden, and slowly giving up to call God’s name- to worship him, to talk to him, to follow his commands and we will have the happiness and peacefulness that we are aiming for. 

Critical Analysis of “Pahilot ko, Ga by Adonis Durado”

The literary work entitled Pahilot ko, Ga by Adonis Durado was derived from the culture and traditions of the Filipino specifically Cebuano living in the province. The author wrote this poem because he wants to share what practices usually the Cebuano people being performed and the hard work of Cebuano’s.

Pahilot ko, Ga by Adonis Durado speaks about a husband who asked for a massage from his wife. It infers about how he wanted to be cared after drowning himself in so much work.

The first stanza means that the persona was asking for a massage to his wife because he had body pain. Then he talked about how early he started his work for him to feed the cow which caused him to not feel well maybe because of the coldness of the atmosphere every morning. Most Filipinos, especially those who are entitled indigent, need to wake up as early as possible to start their daily routine- for more works to be done and more time to rest at the end of the day. Most of the Cebuano people have taken good care of their animals because animals are considered treasures. 

In the second stanza, the word Pahilot Ko, Ga was repeated because he needs massage due to another cause of his body pain. He expressed how his muscles hurt so much for it was forced to gather around their dozen of goats to feed them in the grass field. In addition, the Cebuano attitude in terms of work against weather was presented- Cebuano do not care much about the weather as long as they consumed the day wisely- of the things, they want to finish.

In the third stanza, repetition of the word Pahilot Ko, Ga was still present. The speaker stated how his patience was tested in times when he waits for the Carabao in the lake to finish soaking, and how his energy was drained due to what he had done.

In the latter part, the speaker guessed that maybe he had a fever because of his strenuous work for the entire day.

The poem says a lot about how hardworking Filipino is. It shows how peaceful and simple the life of Filipino before. It also entails that no matter how vigorous the work, the endearment, and intimacy in every relationship should not be gone. Also, this entails how demanding in a good way, caring and romantic Filipino people particularly the Cebuano’s.

Comparative analysis of Still I Rise and When I Think of Death

 

Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou, commonly known as Maya Angelou, was an American author, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet, and civil rights activist. She is known for her books, “Still I Rise” which is one of the most widely read books in the United States, and also “When I Think of Death”.

Her literary works inspire female writers and African-American writers around the world. Angelou was one of the most popular and influential woman of her time.

"Still I Rise" is a poem about hope, encouragement, self-respect, and confidence. In the poem, Angelou reveals how she deals with all the people’s twisted lies, brokenness, sadness, hatefulness towards her. She will rise up even if people keep on trying to pull her down. She will face every suffering with confidence and hope. 

Seems like no one can break her dignity and determination to overcome all the circumstances that she is facing. She is fearless and she got it from her ancestors and as an exchange, she will not allow anybody to completely ruin her for she is the hope of slavery. So, she will rise.  She has the spirit of black women, despite racism and disappointments. She expresses her belief that her black people will overcome all the hardships.

While in the poem “When I think of death”, Angelou felt afraid thinking the moment that something or someone is no longer alive and that everything won’t last. 

She believes that she can accept her death rather than the death of others. She couldn’t dare to imagine if her relatives and friends will be gone. 

If so, she would keep on refusing to accept that something is true or real and getting mad often. But they would live in her heart, mind, and memories.

Critical Analysis of "The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio

"The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio is a short story about a husband and wife, Awiyao and Lumnay, who had been married for seven years. However, they were not blessed with a child which is a must in their tribe’s custom. A man should have a child with his wife, if they don’t then a man can remarry again to another woman who can possibly give him a child. In spite of their love for each other, they couldn’t change their fate under their tribe. 

Awiyao marries again to Madulimay in order to have a son. At his second marriage celebration, Awiyao goes to check and invite Lumnay to join the other women to the wedding dance. 

Lumnay was in fact at his wedding, but her purpose was to confront the tribe about their tribe’s tradition of having to marry another partner just to have a child isn’t right at all. However, she loses courage and just left.

Awiyao and Lumnay most likely to belong to the Igorot people who inhabit the mountain areas of Luzon. The Igorot people maintained many of their traditional cultural practices through the late 19th century. Even today, dance and gangsa music form an important part of their celebrations. In “The Wedding Dance”, Amador Daguio depicted the culture of his ancestors, he was actually born in the Ilocos province of the Philippines, to explore Filipino traditions along with the universal themes of love, suffering, and societal expectations, which adds desire to the readers, especially to the Filipino, to read the story since it establish a pure Filipino element.

The mood of the story is actually sad and intense especially to the part wherein both characters express their feelings to each other, which made the readers think that Awiyao might change his decision. The point of view used in this short story is the Omniscient Limited - the author tells the story in the third person and readers only know what the character knows and what the author wanted to tell. There is extensive use of the literary device Symbolism such as the darkness, the house’s four walls, the smoldering embers, and the beads. The darkness symbolizes how the two lead characters feel and the mood of the story. It was presented in the introductory phase which gives a hint that the story expressed gloom. Meanwhile, the house’s walls symbolize the former couple’s imprisonment, knowing that they couldn’t escape from their tradition. It’s already part of them. The smoldering embers that become glowing coals mean that they still have feelings toward each other. And lastly, the beads symbolize their great love for each other, that they were tied in a moment of time.

The theme “True love is boundless” is applicable in this story. Love has no boundaries- even in law or in the minds of the people. If love truly existed to both hearts then it will stay there forever. No one could take that away from them even if they are away from each other. 

Love has no boundaries- it’s immeasurable, it can either be shown through holding on or giving up because both ways have a story to tell and it's valid. There is no fixed definition of what we call “true love”. What matters the most is that you have loved and showed it in a way that you think is right.

 

 

The Promise

I hear the chiming of the bells as I stood from afar. The church is getting near and I couldn't contain my emotions. Nervousness is eating me and I want to back out, to run and hide but I know I couldn't. This event is inevitable.

Yes, I know that we had grown with each other. You and I? We had a promise and I will be fulfilling it today. No matter what the circumstances are I will be in church and see you walk down the aisle even if it means that at the end of the day, I will go home and find someone who will cheer me up after I get broken with you.

But please let me travel down memory lane and recall the day we promised each other.

 

It was one of those many beautiful days of us together when the sky looks serene and peaceful, the sun feels gentle on our skin, and the breeze making our hair (especially yours) wave.  We always have a picnic when the roses are in full bloom. It was always your favorite time of the year. At that moment, I was certain. I loved you and I knew that you loved me too. It was a day a promise was made, it was a day full of love.

 

Then things changed, and now- here I am. Everything is a blur as I stand, waiting for you I felt like a warrior battling with my own emotions. My heart somersaults as the massive door of the church opened and revealed you.

  

Stunning with your genuine smile and glamorous gown that shimmers against the faint light from the windows. I stood there, awed at your unique beauty which seems to glow on that very day. My heart is going out of my chest as my eyes were glued to your figure. My vision only focused on you and everything else is a blur to me. It felt like winter as tears rolled down my cheeks when you are nearing me. With eyes closed, I counted from one to ten and wished for you to reconsider your decisions. Though I knew then that you will never stop for me, your walk will never be for me and your journey will never be with me but still, it hurts like my fresh wounds are seasoned with salt.

 

All I felt was pure bitterness and pain as I watched you continued to walk, pass by me towards the altar, to the man you have been dreaming. Like a boat, I am lost in the middle of a dark ocean. In bits and pieces, my heart lay broken but I couldn't do anything. You had already chosen, and I was merely an option.

How did we not reach this mile? How did I lose you? How did I let you slipped from my hands? These are the questions that flooded my mind as I witness you now exchanging vows. I cannot take it.

The pain is too much for a guy like me to handle.

And like a coward child, I ran.

I ran in hopes that I will be able to get you out of my system. I ran, in hopes that I can just easily shake you from me and move on right there and then. But I cannot.  And like a child, I cried.

I cried in hopes that it will somehow ease the pain.

            Yes, I intend for you to be my bride but you wanted a different groom, not me. I loved you but life did not work the way I wanted it to. Yes, I loved you all those years and I knew you loved me too, but I also knew that you only cared for me as a friend. We promised to be at each other's wedding no matter what.

 Being at your wedding killed me but at least I kept my promise, I fulfilled it though I left early still I was there. At this point in time let me say this parting message for you, my love. May the man would love you, my Melody, please be happy and as I set you free, I am also setting myself free.

Just remember that in my heart are the memories and there you will always be.

Critical analysis of Alfred Lord Tennyson “Break, Break, Break”

The poem Break, Break, Break by Alfred Lord Tennyson was written in 1833 to lament the loss of Tennyson’s closest friend, Arthur Henry Hallam (https://study.com.Academy).

Reading the entire poem gives the reader a scenery that the speaker is by the sea which appeared to be dramatic and dreamy. The first line of the first stanza is the speaker commanding the sea to break something or break from something. If you just look at the surface, it would just appear that the speaker seems to command the sea to break the cold gray stones probably in front of him but going deeper, the speaker wants the sea to break his inability to express his agony verbally and the thoughts that flooded his mind. The speaker aims to lessen the pain he feels by expressing it in words.

    In the second stanza, the speaker became observant of his surroundings. He notices the people who seem happy by the shore, a brother and a sister who is playing, a sailor lad whose even singing with his boat. The speaker’s observation of his surroundings continues towards the third stanza as he looks at the ship which seems to go on contently about to get lost peacefully in the horizon with a certain destination. These activities around saddened him even more. Probably the speaker questioned himself and his surroundings. How can everything around him seem alright when he stands there in torment and lamenting for his friend? How can that ship go on when he can’t even move a finger as he remembers the treasure he had lost. How can the world continue to spin while he is still broken? The speaker continues to grieve and remember the touch of his friend which he will never feel again and the voice which he will never hear again.

    In the last stanza, the speaker goes back to commanding the sea to break something. This time, the speaker has now come to realize that even if the sea breaks this barrier, what he had lost will never come back to him.

    The poem is a sad one that perfectly reflects the author’s feelings towards his lost friend. It was interpreted by other critics that this poem is for his lost lover but anyone who lost someone very dear to them reflects these thoughts. Furthermore, the sea is a perfect choice of scenery by the speaker as the sea mirrors his greatest pain which seems endless just like the vast sea.

The Betamax Sticks

Try not to date a man, but talk with men instead. That’s what my mom often advises me.

“Never date anyone but yourself alone,” father lectured me the moment I turned eighteen.

 

I grew up with a complete family yet broken inside. Every morning I see them arguing in front of my favorite grilled chicken blood, so I end up skipping my breakfast and have it every lunch break. I make sure that I packed my Betamax with the ketchup and rice inside my lunch box so then I’ll have great noon. The peaceful backyard of our school library was where I used to enjoy my food and where I buried the sticks of Betamax. That’s the reason why I love noon-break than any other time break of the day.

Every night I hear loud voices and noises of things that seem thrown behind the wall of my room. It was our neighbor, I guess. Thrice a week, I hear punches and slap sounds and a gasping sob in the middle of the night, and because of it, I always have scary nightmares whenever I fell asleep. So I opt not to sleep most often.

 

One early morning I didn’t hear them arguing. My dad was sitting in the chair while reading the newspaper, while mom served the rice and my Betamax. In my heart, I felt relieved that day seeing how peaceful the house, though I don’t know if there’s still madness in their hearts since they’re emotionless at that time, at least they tried not to argue in front of my Betamax. For the first time, I ate breakfast in the house with them without any bluster. That was the day I started to realize that they changed. Everything changed all of a sudden.

 

We go to the park and mall every Friday and attend mass every Sunday. Dad always brings flowers for my mom when he got home from work, and he also got me chocolates. Although my parents don’t attend meetings, they let me know their reasons. They are both busy, and I understand them. I tried my best to excel in school to make them proud, and maybe they would attend if they know that I’m on the list of excellent students of the month. Overall, I am grateful for the joy they gave to me. We’re more like an ideal family to people who know us and have seen us having a good time in the park, and it changed me a lot.

 

My routine changed, I learn to socialize with my classmates more often, and they became my friends. During a lunch break, I ate my food with them in the canteen, and instead of burying the sticks of Betamax, I throw them in the trashcan. I was so happy that it feels like I was just born, and I thought that last for a lifetime, but it only lasts for a month.

 

They died.

“Never date a man, date the men,” mom said, then father responded;

 

“Date no one but yourself,” he said. Then, mom hold my hands and said,

 

“You’re teen now, as much as we want to protect you, we want you to protect yourself from abuse or danger-may it is physical or emotional. Trust no one.”

 

I just replied, “Yes.”

 

Their advice scares me that night like I should regret that I turned eighteen. But, I try to remind myself that they love me, so they don’t want me to be in danger. On the next day, I didn’t saw them. I bet they go out early since dad mentioned yesterday that he wants to take mom to the forest where the sunrise looks spectacular. So I take my breakfast alone and go to school.

 

When I got home, I saw my aunt, cops, and an ambulance outside our house. I started to feel nervous, and I’m confused about what happened, why there are cops and ambulance, why my aunt was there. I couldn’t feel my body. My legs were shaking, but I managed to run towards the door to know what happens. But, when I reached the door, my aunt stopped me then I saw four men carried the two-bed stretcher towards the ambulance. I know it was my parents because of their body size, and as I cry and shout, “Mom! Dad!”

My aunt hugged me while crying also. I kept on screaming till I passed out.

 

I stayed at my aunt’s house the next day while the investigation was going on. The only thing that we knew was that my parents are dead, they were brutally murder inside the house, but I don’t know-how and who killed my parents. My aunt told the cops everything happens before the crime, but she never allows me to talk to the cops since I was not in myself after the incident. The officers asked us to install security cameras in the house for security purposes. They’ll assign an officer to guard us every night for two weeks because there’s a possibility that the culprit might come to us. They’ll reach on us whenever the result comes out-maybe a week after.

 

That wasn’t easy for me. I was emotionally down and angry at the culprit for taking the two most special people in my life. There are times that I questioned God for his timing. They already changed- for me to be happy, but He took them away from me.

 

Few days passed by, I was able to attend my classes. I force myself to forget everything, to not think about what had happened, but I cannot. So I often called the police officer for updates. He told me the other day when I called him that said it was my aunt who found their bodies in the cabinet, but then how come my aunt was in my house at that time?

 

Her last visit was five years ago before they argue with my father, and all of a sudden, she was in our house. So I started to keep an eye on her.

 

The second day of another week came, the day the officer promise to reach us out for some result. I was in the school, but I waited for them to call. I took my lunch in the backyard of the school library as usual. I was about to bury the sticks of Betamax, but when I dig the area where I bury the Betamax sticks, I found none. So, I dig up the other side, in case I mistook it, but still, there’s no stick buried in another spot. I stopped digging when the police officer called,

 

“Both of your parents were stabbed 180 times in their room, but before it happened, they were poisoned first by the culprit and put their body inside the cabinet- seems like the culprit knows them and is super angry with them. Do you know somebody who had conflicts with your parents?” the officer asked.

 

That was the moment I was so sure that my aunt is the one who killed my parents. She never allows me to talk to the police so that they won’t know that they fought a long time ago, she’s in the house the day they are murder, and I don’t see her mourn the day after the incident. She’s acting so strange.

 

I hang up the phone and quickly go home. I waited for my aunt in the kitchen while eating Betamax, and in the last bite, she entered the house and was shocked when she saw me in the kitchen like she saw a ghost. In one look, I can see that she’s guilty.

 

“What’s that look for?” I asked

 

“Nothing, I’m glad you’re eating Betamax again. You haven’t eaten them for a while. That’s your favorite food huh,” she said

 

“Yeah. Anyways, did the officer called you?” I asked.

 

“nnnnnn-oo, no” she replied.

 

“Liar! You’re a liar” (I shouted at her while tears coming down and I continued)

 

“The police called me, and he said that the culprit is close to mom and dad and had deep anger toward them. It was you! You argued with dad before, and you’re mad at mom. You never allow me to talk to the police alone. Why? Are you afraid to know your true color? You’re a killer! Aren’t you scared when you killed mom and dad?”

 

She holds a knife, and I was scared, but I was so angry that I could never control my emotion. I don’t care if she’ll stab me, the way she stabbed my parents. I want to let her know how much I hate her. I continue talking to her while I slowly dial 911.

 

Are you going to kill me now? Well, fine! But I will make sure that you’ll go to prison,” I said

 

“NO, calm down. I can explain,” my aunt answered.

 

As the phone rang, she quickly grabbed my hand and tried to get the phone. But, I was strong enough to hold it. I hit her and run towards my room. I locked the door and called 911 again.

 

“Please, help me. My aunt’s going to kill me-----------” phone died.

 

I wasn’t able to give my location, and it would take time to trace the call, trace me, so I decided to hide in the cabinet.

 

“Open the door!” she shouted multiple times.

 

“Don’t test my patience, open the door, and don’t try to call the police. I’m just trying to protect you, so open this door or else I will destroy this!” she continued.

 

I close my eyes and cover my mouth with my hands. I’m shaking, and I don’t know what to do till I heard the door slowly open. 

There was a small hole in the cabinet, I can only see a hand holding a knife, and I know it was her. She slowly walked towards the cabinet, towards me. As soon as she opens the cabinet, I quickly pushed her away and grabbed the knife. And when she comes near me, she got stabbed.

She hugged me tightly while blood is coming out from her mouth and stomach, a hug that I first felt way back when I saw the body of mom and dad carried by men through a stretcher. I remember everything from the moment I saw my aunt, cops, and an ambulance outside of our house to the last moment I have seen my parents alive.

 

It was midnight, they are shouting at each other, till the arguments went severe, and they got into a physical fight. I couldn’t sleep, and I was tired and sick of it. So I decided to bring them water with poison for animals. They got poisoned. I took the knife and stabbed their hearts three times, and I use the Betamax sticks and stabbed the other soft parts of their body; their eyes, cheeks, neck, breast, palm, stomach, legs. After then, I covered their bodies with the blanket and put them in the cabinet. I brought flowers and chocolates for them. I got the pictures of me in the church, park, and mall. I was happy, and now I can rest without hearing their voices and seeing their bruises.

 

My aunt uttered, “It was you,” then tears came down to her eyes before she fell to the floor.