Theme and Plot

Have you ever felt like you were “caught between a rock and a hard place” –
where you needed to make a choice between two courses of action and
neither action seemed quite right? This lesson will illustrate how you would
be in a difficult situation. You will analyze how each course of action may be
advantageous or not. It will also challenge you to evaluate your actions to be
right or otherwise.
Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Plot the events in the story;
2. Summarize the ending of the story;
3. Describe the lesson you gathered from the story;

Plot
Plot is the sequence of events in a story.
The plot begins with exposition, or introduction of the characters, setting and
conflict. Rising action occurs as complications, twists, or intensifications of
the conflict occur. This action leads us up to the climax, or the emotional high
point of the story. The climax gives way rapidly to its logical result in the
falling action, and finally the resolution, in which the final outcome is
revealed.
The elements of plot were explained extensively in Week 1.
In the selected material, “Footnote to Youth,” the plot is outlined this way ---
internal conflict confronts the leading character, Dodong. He struggles to
manage his life and having his own family because he knows that he is of
legal age and capable of making decisions.
Because of his stubbornness and foolishness, he had a difficult time meeting
his own expectations.
The exposition includes the description of the setting:
“on a farm land especially on the field where the plants are planted…” It has
many slender worms emerged from the furrows…”.
The initial action is when Dodong breaks the news to his father that he wants
to marry Teang.
The rising action is when Dodong was ashamed to go home because of his
youthful paternity. Simultaneously, Teang gives birth to their first child,
making Dodong a young father.
The climax arrives at the point when Dodong sees Teang and their newborn
baby and hears the baby’s first cry. Dodong cannot hold in his excitement.

Course Module
 The falling action starts with the coming of more children in the growing
family of Dodong and Teang. He became prone to spontaneous outbursts due
to his frustrations. The events in his life made him realize how hard it is to
achieve his dream of providing a good life for his family.
The story closes with his realization that the aggravations he carried was
because of his own doing. Nobody gave him the needed advice on the road to
a more responsible marriage.
The theme of the story is the inevitable consequences tied to early marriage.

A story needs to have a theme,

Theme
The theme in a short story is its controlling idea or its central insight.
It is the meaning or main idea that the author is trying to convey. The theme
may be the author's thoughts about a topic or view of human nature. The
title of the short story usually points to what the writer is saying and he may
use various figures of speech to emphasize his theme, such as: symbol,
allusion, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or irony.
Some simple examples of common themes from short stories are:
• live a simple life
• love conquers all
• people are vulnerable to change
• don’t judge the book by its cover
When you think of the theme of your story, try to sum it up in one sentence.
Tell yourself why you are writing this story. Many times, you can use a
familiar saying, proverb, or quotation.
Try to determine the theme in the story “Magnificence” by Estrella Alfon. You
may read the story here:
http://www.oocities.org/phil_stories/alfon_magnificence.html

References
Bascara, L. R. (2003). World Literature: A tertiary textbook for literature
under the new curriculum. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Castillo, T.T and Medina B.S. (1974). Philippine literature from ancient to
present. Quezon City : Philippine Graphic Arts Inc.
 CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts. Panitikan Series.
Chin, B. (2002). Glencoe Literature: the reader’s choice. New
York:Glencoe/MacGrawhill.
Croghan, R.V.S.J. (1997). The development of Philippine literature in English.
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House Inc.
Ecrivain-Public Arts literature writing professionals (2008). Retrieved June
10, 2010 from http://www.ecrivain-public.viz.
Guiyab, R.G.(2005). Philippine literature: beyond forgetting. Makati City:
Grandwater Publication.
How to write a short story. Retrieved May 30,2010 from www.chow.com.
Kahayon, A.H. (2000). Philippine literature: Through the years. Mandaluyong
City: National Bookstore.
Lacia, F.C.(2003).the literatures of the Philippines. Manila:Rex Bo okstore.
Lombardi, E. Literature. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from classiclit.about.com
Lumbera, B. and Lumbera, C. (1982).Philippine literature: A story and
anthology. Manila: National Bookstore.
Merchand, M.Elements of the short story. Retrieved May 8, 2010 from
www.lessonplanpage.com.
Myers-Shaffer.C.(2000). The principles of literature: A guide for readers and
writers. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
Marquez, S.T. (2009). Developmental Reading: Reading 2. Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing.
Oak, M. Importance of literature. Retrieved July 30, 2010 from
www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html.
Patron, I.(2002).Interactive reading – responding and writing about
Philippine Literature. Quezon City: Great Books Trading.
Tan, A.B.(2001).Introduction to literature. 4th ed. Mandaluyong City:
Academic Publishing Corporation.
Tips for writing a short story. Retrieved May 8, 2010 from
www.write101.com
Today in literature. Retrieved June 10, 2010 from
http://www.todayinliterature.com

Course Module
 Flashback as a Literary Device

Have you ever met a person whom you love right away, but something
prevented that love from growing? As you read the story in this lesson,
discuss with a partner your experiences and list some reasons why love can
develop or fail.
Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Identify the flashbacks used in the story; and
2. Discuss the most dramatic event in the story.

Flashback
A flashback is a literary device in which an earlier episode, conversation, or
event is inserted into the chronological sequence of a narrative. Information
revealed in a flashback helps readers understand a character’s situation.
Often presented as a memory of the narrator or of another character, a
flashback may be sparked by one or more cues, such as a sound or odor
associated with prior experience or a visit to a related setting.
Example:
When Sylvia Condez remembers her early life with her family and her
honeymoon with David Gomez…..
Flashback devices that are commonly used are past narratives by characters,
depictions and references of dreams and memories and a sub -device known
as authorial sovereignty wherein the author directly chooses to refer to a
past occurrence by bringing it up in a straightforward manner.
Flashback is used to create a background to the present
Example:
Back in the city when Maria was a young girl…
***Open the link below and read to answer the activity.
“May Day Eve by Nick Joaquin”
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/literature/Short%20Stories/May%20D
ay%20Eve.htm

References
Bascara, L. R. (2003). World Literature: A tertiary textbook for literature
under the new curriculum. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Castillo, T.T and Medina B.S. (1974). Philippine literature from ancient to
present. Quezon City : Philippine Graphic Arts Inc.
 CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts. Panitikan Series.
Chin, B. (2002). Glencoe Literature: the reader’s choice. New
York:Glencoe/MacGrawhill.
Croghan, R.V.S.J. (1997). The development of Philippine literature in English.
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House Inc.
Ecrivain-Public Arts literature writing professionals(2008). Retrieved June
10, 2010 from http://www.ecrivain-public.viz.
Guiyab, R.G.(2005). Philippine literature: beyond forgetting. Makati City:
Grandwater Publication.
How to write a short story. Retrieved May 30,2010 from www.chow.com.
Kahayon, A.H. (2000). Philippine literature: Through the years. Mandaluyong
City: National Bookstore.
Lacia, F.C.(2003).the literatures of the Philippines. Manila:Rex Bookstore.
Lombardi, E. Literature. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from classiclit.about.com
Lumbera, B. and Lumbera, C. (1982).Philippine literature: A story and
anthology. Manila: National Bookstore.
Merchand, M.Elements of the short story. Retrieved May 8, 2010 from
www.lessonplanpage.com.
Myers-Shaffer.C.(2000). The principles of literature: A guide for readers and
writers. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
Marquez, S.T. (2009). Developmental Reading: Reading 2. Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing.
Oak, M. Importance of literature. Retrieved July 30, 2010 from
www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html.
Patron, I.(2002).Interactive reading – responding and writing about
Philippine Literature. QuezonCity: Great Books Trading.
Tan, A.B.(2001).Introduction to literature. 4th ed. Mandaluyong City:
Academic Publishing Corporation.
Tips for writing a short story. Retrieved May 8, 2010 from
www.write101.com
Today in literature. Retrieved June 10, 2010 from
http://www.todayinliterature.com

Course Module