ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT STORY OF NICK JOAQUIN The Summer Solstice Carizza Zamudio

Title: The Summer Solstice Author: Nick Joaquin Nicomedes Mrquez Joaqun (May 4, 1917April 29, 2004) was a Filipino writer, historian and journalist, best known for his short stories and novels in the English language. He also wrote using the pen name Quijano de Manila. Joaquin was conferred the rank and title of National Artist of the Philippines for Literature. Joaqun died of cardiac arrest in the early morning of April 29, 2004. He died in his home in San Juan, Metro Manila. At the time of his death, he was editor of Philippine Graphic magazine and publisher of its sister publication, Mirror Weekly, a womens magazine. He also wrote columns (Small Beer) for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Isyu, an opinion tabloid. Story Analysis Setting: The main events in the story happened in the Moretas residence and at their towns mini plaza and those happened during the night. Characterization:
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Donya Lupeng Moreta- long-married woman with three children Don Paeng Moreta- the highly moral husband of Donya Lupeng Guido- young cousin to the Moretas who studied in Spain Amada- the family cook and Entoy's wife Entoy- the family driver

Plot: The story happened during the St. John's Day, Doa Lupeng finds Amada in a state of madness and ecstasy after the latter attended the local ritual of Tadtarin, where the women dance and invoke the spirit to empower them. And then they went to the house of their

grandfather to celebrate the feast where she meets and enchants Guido, who tries to encourage to believe in the magic and power and of how beautiful is the Tadtarin ritual. Unsettled, Donya Lupeng joins the last day of the ritual and dances with the other women to her husband's horror. When they arrive at their house, Don Paeng tries to chastise his wife, but Donya Lupeng, flushed and freed by the ritual, subverts him instead.

Conflict: Woman vs. Man Its because of the scene that Lupeng or even Amada wants to be adore by their husband in a way just like a slave to its master. Climax: The conflict of the story starts when Doa Lupeng and her husband went to the Tadtarin on its last day where Llupeng wa so carried away by the ritual that even his husband cant stop her from joining the ritual dance until Don Paeng lost her inside the church with the Cult because he was battered and ttthrown out by the women of the Tadtarin. And when they were home, the confrontation between the couple starts.

Ending: The ending was a success for Doa Lupeng even if Don Paeng resists what she wants him to do, but as the epigraph shows, he submits in the end. Theme: The story focused about the Christianity and Paganism and also in the Faith and Superstitions. Tone/Atmosphere: The story was full of mystery specially about the Tadtarin ritual. Moral/Valuable Experience: Theres nothing wrong to believe in superstitions but having faith to God is more important.