HOW MY BROTHER LEON BROUGHT HOME A WIFE

By: Manuel E. Arguilla

Author’s Background: Manuel E. Arguilla (1911 – 1944) an Ilocano writer in English, patriot, and martyr, from Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union, who used the local color in his writings. Because he spent much of his childhood in the province, his portrayal of Ilocano life is unsurpassed.

Vocabulary:

Cud - partly digested food returned from the first stomach of ruminants to the mouth for further chewing.

Gorge - a narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it.

Ragged - having a rough or irregular surface or edge. - lacking physical strength, especially because of age or illness.
Jolt - push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly.

Surmise - suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.

Characters:

Leon – Baldo’s older brother, Maria’s lover, eldest son.

Maria – Leon’s lover, a woman that is different in terms of culture.

Labang – The loyal and hardworking bull, they travel using it.

Baldo – Leon’s younger brother, narrated their story

Leon’s Mother – Supportive mother that wishes the best for Leon

Leon’s Father – Instructed Baldo to bring the husband and wife to find out if Maria is worthy.

Setting:

Farmland - Agricultural land is typically land devoted to agriculture, the systematic and controlled use of other forms of life—particularly the rearing of livestock and production of crops—to produce food for humans.

Summary

Baldo waits for Maria and Leon to arrive at the station to bring both of them to Leon’s family. Maria meets Baldo and Labang for the first time and got familiar with them. Leon and Maria spend some time together, making jokes, and talking about Labang’s uniqueness. Leon then asks his younger brother Baldo to fetch the cart in preparation for their journey. Leon helped Maria get on the cart as Baldo describes how lovely she smells. Leon led the cart while both Maria and Baldo take in the fresh air of the farm. After a while, he handed the rope to Baldo and he suddenly started to turn the other way around. “What is it to you have forgotten now, Baldo?” Leon said. Baldo did not reply and continues along on the route. Leon laid his hand on Baldo’s shoulder and asked: “Who told you to drive through the fields tonight?” Baldo replied with: “Father, he told me to follow the Waig tonight, Manong.”Leon then turns to Maria and questions his father’s intention. Maria noticed a certain special star of their very own. They talk about the star’s origin and started laughing after a while. It was getting dark, Maria asked Baldo if they’ll arrive soon. Baldo being clueless on what to reply simple said “Almost there” So Leon decides to loosen up the atmosphere by singing a familiar song between him and Maria. Worried, Maria starts to lose confidence if Leon’s father was to accept her. Leon reassures her that his father is nothing but a gentleman. They arrive at Leon’s home, greeting everyone inside and finally heading upstairs to meet the father. Leon expressed his feeling for her, convincing his father that she is worthy.

Symbolism:

Love comes in many forms, and it can either be experienced in a positive or negative way, ranging from the deepest interpersonal affection to the simplest pleasure.

Theme:

Family Acceptance (Proposal) and Love

Lesson:

A journey through love can be the best experience in your life or can able be the most painful one. With that in mind, you need remember that sacrifices will always be part of it if you are planning to maintain it. At the end of the day, it always begins with respect. Respect for one another, and understanding each other’s feelings.