This famous short story was set in Intramuros, Manila, and its author, Nick Joaquin, wrote it after WWII. This story of a marriage that started with every promise of lasting passion and love later tracks the disintegration of the relationship. Characters in this story, which has magical or supernatural elements that are quite common in modern Latin literature, include Badoy, the narrator, and his love interest, Agueda. Joaquin is viewed as one of the first originators of magical realism in the fiction of his native country, the Philippines.
The Manila of decades ago is a different world than the Manila of today, and the morals of the family-oriented, largely-Catholic Manila culture and people are even stronger in this old-world setting. Therefore, the bitter emotions and the death of marital love found in this short story seem to defy the rules and regulations of a religious society. That passion and affection should die so completely is the base issue of the story, along with the supernatural way that Agueda decides to marry her husband (she sees his name pop up while chanting in front of a mirror). Clearly, magic doesn't have all of the answers in the story of May Day Eve.
If you enjoy magical realism and dramatic stories with resonant emotional truths, you may enjoy the work of Nick Joaquin or other Philippines authors. Since the Latin perspective is unique, the work produced for authors of this Southeast Asian archipelago is also quite distinct and unusual. Look for story from Philippines authors and compare their work to that of authors from other countries...
If you're studying May Day Eve for a class project or book report, read the story carefully, and try to forget about school as you lose yourself in the characters and their emotions. After you've absorbed the story and thought about how it made you feel, jot down your impressions. Describing the setting of this story will be easier once you've really focused on the author's words.
- About the story
The Manila of decades ago is a different world than the Manila of today, and the morals of the family-oriented, largely-Catholic Manila culture and people are even stronger in this old-world setting. Therefore, the bitter emotions and the death of marital love found in this short story seem to defy the rules and regulations of a religious society. That passion and affection should die so completely is the base issue of the story, along with the supernatural way that Agueda decides to marry her husband (she sees his name pop up while chanting in front of a mirror). Clearly, magic doesn't have all of the answers in the story of May Day Eve.
- Filipino literature is unique
If you enjoy magical realism and dramatic stories with resonant emotional truths, you may enjoy the work of Nick Joaquin or other Philippines authors. Since the Latin perspective is unique, the work produced for authors of this Southeast Asian archipelago is also quite distinct and unusual. Look for story from Philippines authors and compare their work to that of authors from other countries...
If you're studying May Day Eve for a class project or book report, read the story carefully, and try to forget about school as you lose yourself in the characters and their emotions. After you've absorbed the story and thought about how it made you feel, jot down your impressions. Describing the setting of this story will be easier once you've really focused on the author's words.
