TIMKANG,Jensie Kai B.

Lit101-C
05 May 2014

Character Analysis
As an inquisitive and visionary reader of this short story entitled Manang Merin and
the Top, I was able to compose an extensive analysis of a certain character in the said
story. This is rooted from my own perception towards the narrative account that involves
the use of juxtaposition, a poetic and rhetorical device in which normally associated ideas,
words or phrases are placed next to one another creating an effect of surprise and wit.
But before I begin with the characterization, let me first give you a glimpse of the storyline,
Manang Merin and the Top. This short story written by Marcel Navarra is about a lady
who lost her virginity due to the tension with her partners desire and it was further
demonstrated through the top and the coconut. Since the story needs an erudite reader
with a sophisticated level of understanding, I will also broaden and seek in details the
character description, behavior, development, dialogues and actions. The character I
chose is no other than the protagonist Manang Merin, who is the main leading character.
If I were to label Manang Merin, the most evident, so far is through her name.
Manang, a Visayan term, means older lady whose age is around 25 and above. In terms
of her physical appearance, undoubtedly she embodies a Filipina beauty. This is because
a man nurtured in urban area is less likely to be captivated with a barrio girl unless she is
exceptionally eye catching. Take note that the guy is really head over heels with the lady
because he even risk not to report to work just to accompany his sweetheart due to her
said intense loneliness. With regard to her personality, Merin is feeble and submissive
because as you can see her, at the end of the story, cannot resist her partners plea but
eventually give in although she is hesitant at first. Hence, Manang Merin is also indecisive
at making decisions and easily be wavered by Abdulla threat of abandoning her. I also
notice that Merin is also somewhat suspicious because she doubt Adbullas love for her
when she said that he may deceive her later although she denied being doubtful to
Abdulla. It is obvious that Merin really loves Abdulla with all her heart. I think she just
needs to be a bit of a hardcore to assure that Abdulla wont betray her later on.
Now, I will expand my insights regarding characters important thoughts and
feelings in the story. In my own point of view, the character true thoughts towards Abdulla
is that he might cheat without her knowing because the fact that Abdulla is working in the
city is quite risky on their long distance relationship. Abdulla might be tempted to meet
other woman who is much more assertive than Merin, who is kind of modest person.
Another significant thought that makes Merin pondered was the importance of a woman's
purity. She even cried knowing that the most precious thing she tried to conceal was
already unleashed by someone else. Abdulla makes her choose between the loss of her
virginity or the man she loves. I think the loss of her virginity is much more essential for
now. This is because she is still young to lose her virginity and once it is taken from you,
you cannot never redeem it. In concerning Merins feelings, there is no question of her
love to Abdulla. The thing is she wasnt sure which weigh a greater importance between
the two precious possessions she has.
The development of the character throughout the story is what I will tackle at this
point. The characters problem at the beginning of the story is her solitude of being away
from her dearest. But when her problem solved, another problem was created and this
was the test of her love and womanhood. The goal of Merin is really simple. This is to
ease her heart with joy through Abdullas company. Its just that Abdulla rather than
comfort Merin chose to demand the price for coming to her. So the outcome is that Merin
acted like she was regretful of her decision. The decision really affects her because as a
conservative Filipina, her purity is her entirety as a persona.
So far the most imperative and striking thing the character says is when she had
the nerve to frankly say to Abdulla that he might deceive her later. Most women wont
open that issue, especially when the tension between your partner is making you uneasy.
From what I perceived, Merin doesnt entirely trust Abdulla and thats why she had come
to the extent to say those words. This was also evident in her actions when she refrains
from making eye contact but instead bowed her head while conversing with Abdulla. Eye
contact requires a person when admitting the truth. In regards to her relationship with his
brother (Bay Tik), she is a parent-like sister who disciplines her younger sibling. The fact
that Bay Tik feared when he will get scolded is a proof that her elder sister might penalize
them from their misconduct.
Furthermore, the character is an example of a rounded character due to
her complex personality. Manang Merin is one encounters conflict and is changed by it
from being hesitant to being submissive. Above all, the authors purpose in creating this
particular character in this particular manner is that to inform the readers that no matter
how modest and conservative Filipinas are, they still have weaknesses of their own and
waved at times when inducements comes in.