Footnote to Youth

Footnote to Youth

By: Jose Garcia Villa

Author's background:

Jose Garcia Villa (August 5, 1908 – February 7, 1997) was a Filipino poet, literary critic, short story writer, and painter. He was awarded the National Artist of the Philippines title for literature in 1973, as well as the Guggenheim Fellowship in creative writing by Conrad Aiken.

Vocabulary:

Climacteric - a critical period or event.
Fragrant - having a pleasant or sweet smell.
Unvarnished - not covered with varnish.
Supper - an evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
Clamor - a loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting vehemently.
Tyranny - cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control.
Rebuking - express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.
Beckoned - (past tense) make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow.
Limp - walk with difficulty, typically because of a damaged or stiff leg or foot.
Interminable - endless (often used hyperbolically).
Acridly - sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor: irritating. 

Characters:

Dodong's Father

Dodong's Mother

Dodong - Teang's Husband

Teang - Dodong's Wife

Blas - Dodong and Teang's Son

Tona - Woman whos Blas wants to marry

Lucio - Another Suitor

Setting: 

Farm in the West. The sun was salmon and hazy.

Exposition:

The story starts with Dodong and their life on the farm. Dodong with the conflict of telling his father that he wants to marry Teang at his early age. Dodong being worried his father might tell him that he's too young to marry someone.

Rising Action:

After a day of work in the Farm, Dodong went home. He then asked for his father's blessings for he is determined to Marry Teang, also having the fear of his father telling him that he is still too young to have a family. His dad then asked few questions.

Climax: 

Teang gave birth. It was their first baby name, Blas. Dodong was very guilty, unpleasant, he wanted to get out of it. He was so afraid, full of thoughts with severe tyranny.

Falling Action:

The story ends with Blas growing up, thinking of marrying Tona. Dodong telling Blas that he's too Young to have a family. Dodong is afraid that Blas might end up like him.

Ending: 

The story ends with Blas growing up, thinking of marrying Tona. Dodong telling Blas that he's too Young to have a family. Dodong is afraid that Blas might end up like him.

Symbolism:

I think the worm crawling on Dodong's feet symbolized his future at some point. His choices in life, his character. Responsibility, having a responsibility you can't handle is not good for you. Marriage in the age of Youth is not really advisable, especially if you can't fulfill the responsibilities.

Theme: 

Teen Marriage

Making decisions without thinking deeper

Lesson:

Love is something that is taken seriously.

Being married at any age is easy, but you must always be prepared to fulfill the responsibilities that you're about to face. Having a family at an early age is very hard especially if you don't have a good work. If you don't want any problems, try avoiding making a lot of babies haha.