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The Mats

The story "The Mats" by Francisco Arcellana portrays a typical Filipino family culture and their close relationships. Mr. Angeles writes to his family that a skilled mat weaver would make personalized sleeping mats for each family member. Upon his return, he distributes the mats which bring great joy, except for three extra mats made for their children who had passed away, showing the family honors the memory of their lost loved ones. The mats symbolize Filipino traditions of gift-giving and sentimentality towards items received from family.

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820 views1 page

The Mats

The story "The Mats" by Francisco Arcellana portrays a typical Filipino family culture and their close relationships. Mr. Angeles writes to his family that a skilled mat weaver would make personalized sleeping mats for each family member. Upon his return, he distributes the mats which bring great joy, except for three extra mats made for their children who had passed away, showing the family honors the memory of their lost loved ones. The mats symbolize Filipino traditions of gift-giving and sentimentality towards items received from family.

Uploaded by

anon_63797835
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: THE MATS by FRANCISCO ARCELLANA

The story entitled “The Mats” was written by Francisco Arcellana, one of the admirable
literary Filipino artists. The story talks about a typical Filipino family culture, that portrays the
close family relationship, respect for the elders and remembering the family members who
passed away.

The story begins with the homecoming of Mr. Angeles who came from Mariveles. He
wrote a letter for his family about the real weaver artist who make a marvelous mats.
Apparently, he would bring home his family some mats from this mat weaver.

Knowing that the rest of the family members will receive their own personalized sleeping
mats, they became excited about the news. It was not just an ordinary mat that they would
receive but a personalized mat with their names and a color depending on their birthstone. I
can sense here, how much joy the kids felt when they heard the news. Giving gifts is part of our
tradition when some come back home. This shows how much Mr. Angeles love his family.

The mat plays an important role to Emilia and Mr. Angeles, for Nana Emilia received a
mat by her mother when she got married to Mr. Angeles. It shows in this story that Filipinos are
naturally sentimental. Filipinos always treasure the things we received from our special
someone, family, friends, etc. It shows how Filipinos care for that certain thing they received
from others.

Finally, Mr. Angeles arrived and the kids were excited to received their personalized
sleeping mats. Mr. Angeles distributed the mats to his children as he calls the names that’s on
the mat. Now they were all done but there are three mats left. Those mats were for their kids
who passed away. This only show that even though they’re dead they remain in the heart of
their father. So, the story taught us that we should not forget our loved ones no matter how
many years had passed. The sleeping mats used as an outlet to pay as a tribute to his three kids
who were not with them anymore.

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