Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa

   

     Jose Garcia Villa was born in Manila, Philippines, in 1908, and emigrated to the United States in 1929. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico in 1932, then moved to New York for graduate study at Columbia University. Scribner’s published a collection of stories called Footnote to Youth in 1933. In 1933, Villa dedicated himself exclusively to poetry and the experimental opportunities poetry promised. His first collection,Have Come, Am Here, was published in 1942 by Viking, and won the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. His next book,Volume Two, was published in 1949 by New Directions, where he served as associate editor from 1949-1951. He went on to publish two more volumes of poetry in the United States —Selected Poems and New (1958: McDowell, Obolensky) and Appassionata (1979: King and Cowen) — and a number of books in the Philippines. (Source: http://kaya.com/authors/jose-garcia-villa-jose-garcia-villa-jose-garcia-villa/)

Vocabulary:

• areca nut - The areca nut is the fruit of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific (Melanesia and Micronesia), Southeast and South Asia, and parts of east Africa. This fruit is commonly referred to as betel nut so it is easily confused with betel (Piper betle) leaves that are often used to wrap it (paan).
• batalan - rear of barrio house for washing and for storage of water. 
• clamor - a loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting.
• camiseta - shirt
• sawali -   woven split bamboo mats used in the Philippines to construct walls. 
• papag - low bamboo bed.

Characters:

• Dodong- the main character of the story. At the age of seventeen, he decided to marry Teang. He had several children throughout the story. 
• Dodong's Father- In the story, he asked for the permission of his father to marry, to which his father reluctantly agrees to. Dodong's father was shown to be someone who is growing old.
• Dodong's Mother - together with Dodong's father, helped with the birth of Dodong's children.
• Teang- the wife of Dodong. She married Dodong at a very young age.
• Blas- the son of Dodong and Teang. Just like Dodong, he asked his father to allow him to marry at a young age.
• Tona- the sweetheart of Blas.
• Lucio- suitor of Teang, 9 years older than her. 

Setting

The story was set in a remote place, which may be a farmland. Since the story was published in 1933, I will assume that this story was set in the same time, since there were no hints of advanced technology in the story (not like it was needed). The story's events happened in different times, since the story was mostly about Dodong's teenage days until the day when his son turned 18.

PLOT

Exposition

The story starts with Dodong deciding to tell his father about his decision of marrying Teang. He decided to do so because he believes that he is already in the right age to marry someone. After continuing with his daily activities, the night came, and he asked for his father's permission. His father, despite his worries, gave his permission to marry. 

Rising Action

The setting then changes to when Teang was giving birth to their first child (In a few moments he would be a father). At this point of the story, Dodong was starting to realize that his youth has ended, and that there was no going back for his decision. As a result, he was guilty for making Teang and his parents  go through such hardships because of his decisions.

Climax

     As time goes by, Dodong had more children, and he realizes how marriage was not all that easy, and how his dreams during his youth was not fulfilled due to his hasty decision. He realized how he has thrown his youth away, and how he cannot go back to the times where he was able to enjoy his adolescence fully. It was also shown how Teang regrets marrying early, just because there was a suitor older than her which  she wants to avoid.

Falling Action

    The setting changes to when Blas was already 18, and just like his father, decided to marry at a young age. Dodong was worried that his son may suffer the same fate as him, and asks his son if he really must marry. 

Ending

     As much as he wants to oppose his son's decision, Dodong realizes that he cannot stop his son's decision anymore. He then gives his permission, while looking at his son sadly.

Symbolism 

     The sun was mentioned in the beginning. I believe that this symbolizes how Dodong's life was going to be. According to what I searched, the sun rises in the east, and it sets in the west. I believe that the story starts during the sunset. I believe that this symbolizes Dodong's life because of his decision, he will be going through hard times, which may be symbolized by the darkness of night. This may also symbolize the life of a person, which will go through different phases. 

     The part where he jerks his foot to fling the worm into the air might have also symbolized his youth. I believe our youth is something that should be enjoyed, since this is the time where we aren't bound by heavy responsibilities yet. The worm symbolizes these responsibilities, and he was able to shake it off. This may also symbolize him throwing his youthful days away, since he already made a decision to go through a new phase in his life.

   The part where he looks at the moonlight to reflect on what he has done in his life may symbolize him looking at what he lost when he made his decisions. He was looking at the moon, which especially looks bright during the night. He saw how bright it is, yet it is something that he cannot reach.

Lessons

• "Life is not all beer and skittles." Life isn't always about pleasure and fun. 
• Do not be overwhelmed by your emotions. Don't let your heart do all the work, give something more thought since it might be a decision that will change your life. 
• Enjoy your youth as much as possible. This is an important period in your life.