Wedding Traditions and Belief (Book Review)

Foreword: My brother who was only 3rd Year College student at that time approached me and asked me for help. He told me if I could do a little favor for him, since he finds English subject a difficult one. Reading Philippine Literature was way out of his line of expertise, so as his Ate (Eldest sister), of course I stepped in.  Though we happened to have a brief fight coz' I forgot to construct 2 book reviews for him, still I managed to write something for him. Hmmmmp........I'm the one who made the 2 book reviews but he was the one who got the grades : /

Wedding dance

By; Amador Daguio 

Rice Terraces (photo taken from www.google.com)

I. Description

Problem/s:

·         Is it reasonable to break the unwritten law that states a man could divorce his wife if they are childless?

·         Do women have not the same rights with men?

II. Interpretation

                “Suddenly she found courage. She would go to the dance. She would go to the chief of the village, to the elders, to tell them it was not right. Awiyao was hers; nobody could take him away from her. Let her be the first woman to complain, to denounce the unwritten rule that a man may take another woman. She would tell Awiyao to come back to her. He surely would relent. Was not their love as strong as the river?”

                “A few more weeks, a few more months, a few more harvests---what did it matter? She would be holding the bean flowers, soft in the texture, silken almost, but moist where the dew got into them, silver to look at, silver on the light blue, blooming whiteness, when the morning comes. The stretching of the bean pods full length from the hearts of the wilting petals would go on.

Lumnay's fingers moved a long, long time among the growing bean pods.”

               
             In these following statements the author expresses that as a couple they should love and trust each other. They should accept their partners for what they truly are and not for what they have. It also conveys that if you love someone you should set it free, though it hurts.

III. Criticism

                The story of the Wedding Dance portrays the tradition and culture of the Filipino native tribes. These men and women live to their forefathers’ rules. They obey their orders even though it is against their will.

                As a citizen, you should learn how to follow the rules set by the authorities or elders of the community.  In terms of marriage, you must always respect the rights of your respective partners. The two of you ought to stay together and only death could separate you apart. In married couple having a child or children of their own is very important. Since it symbolizes the love they have for each other.

(photo taken from www.google.com)

                On the other hand, it is not right to divorce your spouse just to adhere to the demands of the society. If you truly love and respect your better half, you would not do such a thing. Marriage is sacred so it must be respected at all times. That is the main reason why God gives us commandments to follow. Bearing or not bearing a child is not enough to leave your spouse. Remember you married your spouse for what they are and not for what they have.

from google.com

                Nowadays, people tend to break marriage apart. They do not literally follow the law of God. Some says marriage is a just a piece of paper after all, so they do not show some respect. But to some staying on a marriage per se is up to the morals and beliefs that the couple possess’. God says that whatever he joined together, mankind has no right to tear it apart. The human race is the only one who announces the law that man may divorce his wife and the wife may also divorce her husband. Although some couples are discussing whether or not they would have their own baby someday; how many kids do they want to have; while the others just rely to God for a blessing to come their way.

Happy couple from google.com

                To conclude, a man should love his wife and a wife should love her husband as well. Keeping the marriage strong it all depends how they handle it. Both parties should always talk and spend some time together. If it ends up badly, we must bear in mind that we must held our head up high. We must face life with positivity. There is a reason for everything. No matter what happens, life goes on.

IV. Integrate the Academic and the Personal

Sperm cells entering egg cells (photo from google.com)

                The story teaches it readers that in a marriage it only composed of husband and wife. The essence of a woman is to get a spouse and bear a child. But in some cases, things do not fall according to our expectations. Being childless is not the concern of the woman alone. It is the concern of both parties.

An ultrasound result/image (clip from google.com)

                In our modern world, there are some explanations and reasons why a couple is childless. They have an option of what they are going to do about it. Separation of married couple is a result of exaggeration on their part. To some extent, the society plays a role about it. In this life we must know when we are going to live up to the expectation of society. We must learn when we are going to say “no” and “yes” to their whimsical thoughts.

               In the end, it is all up to them how they will keep their relationship strong. They should always trust God and he should be the foundation of their family. It is not important if you have a child or not, what important is you love, trust and respect each other. A family is not measured how many kids you have but how you love and accept each other’s flaws.

                We must always respect life as a gift from God. Remember that everything happens for a reason. We must learn a thing or two about the obstacles we encounter. We must face life with all confidence despite the problems we encounter.

A clip from Twilight