This story by Filipino writer Nick Joaquin takes place over the final two days of a “hybrid” religious festival. Because both take place over the summer solstice, the Catholic feast of St John and pagan Tadtarin fertility rituals are celebrated together. Tadtarin is performed exclusively by women (or men dressed up as women), invoking their power to ensure a bountiful harvest. Events lead to an unsettling climax where a usually submissive wife pitilessly humiliates her rich landowner husband. Themes include gender stereotypes (especially male domination and cruelty towards women) and cultural changes brought about by Westernization. More…
A Day in the Dark
In this story by Elizabeth Bowen, a woman recalls when, as a fifteen-year-old girl “platonically” in love with her uncle, she was forced to re-examine their relationship. The source of her concern were snide comments by an old woman the uncle had fallen into talk with, which caused her to think that their comings and goings were the subject of town gossip. A feature of the story is the ambiguity as to the true feelings between the main characters, and the reason for the uncle’s clandestine visit to a hotel. Themes include innocence and experience, sexual awareness, deception, guilt, rumour. More…
The Shroud / Kafan
This dark comedy by Premchand follows father and son Chamars (one of the Dalit or “untouchable” sub-castes) as they go to buy a funeral shroud for the son’s deceased wife. The lazy but likeable pair, who will do anything to shirk work, end up spending donated shroud money on a boozy night in town. The story satirizes the caste system by pointing out that those who can never rise above their low birth position have little incentive to do more than ensure their survival. Themes include social class, callousness, indolence, tradition, selfishness, exploitation (of the generosity of others). More…
A Night in the Hills
This story from Paz Marquez Benitez deals with something many people caught up in a routine job or coming to a crossroads in life go through: dreaming of escape to an alternative, seemingly more appealing lifestyle. City-based Gerardo has always dreamed of living in the countryside. Recently widowed, he accompanies a friend to inspect some newly opened public land. After a single night in the jungle, he decides that life “in the hills” is not as appealing as he had imagined. Themes: imagination (the grass is always greener), city vs. country life, discontent, enlightenment, acceptance. More…
Popularity
The protagonist in this story by Adam Bagdasarian is a ten-year-old boy who has trouble making friends at school. His biggest wish is to be able to hang out at recess with the most popular group in fourth grade. He decides that the only talent he has that might gain him entry is his sense of humor. When the opportunity arises to make a joke, he is an instant success. However, he never feels secure among the group because his inclusion was at the expense of another member. Themes include alienation and loneliness, fitting-in, the shallow nature of teenage popularity. More…