Summer Solstice By: Nick Joaquin Author Name: Nicomedes Márquez Joaquín Aka: “Quijano de Manila” Born: May 4, 1917 (Paco, Manila) Died: April 29, 2004 (San Juan, Metro Manila) Parents: Atty. Leocadio Joaquín and Mrs. Salome Marquez Educational Background: Elementary and Secondary: Mapa Highschool in Intramuros Tertiary: St. Albert College in Hong kong Early Education At age 17, Joaquín had his first piece published, in the literary section of the pre-World War II Tribune, where he worked as a proofreader. It was accepted by the writer and editor Serafín Lanot. After Joaquín won a nationwide essay competition to honor La Naval de Manila, sponsored by the Dominican Order, the University of Santo Tomas awarded him an honorary Associate in Arts (A.A.). They also awarded him a scholarship to St. Alberts Convent, the Dominican monastery in Hong Kong. Career After returning to the Philippines, Joaquín joined the Philippines Free Press, starting as a proofreader. Soon he attracted notice for his poems, stories and plays, as well as his journalism under the pen name Quijano de Manila. His journalism was both intellectual and provocative, an unknown genre in the Philippines at that time, and he raised the level of reportage in the country. Joaquín represented the Philippines at the International PEN Congress in Tokyo in 1957, and was appointed as a member of the Motion Pictures commission under presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand E. Marcos. After being honored as National Artist, Joaquin used his position to work for intellectual freedom in society. Characters • Donya Lupeng Moreta- long-married woman with three children. • Don Paeng Moreta- the highly moral husband of Donya Lupeng. • Guido- young cousin to the Moretas who studied in Spain. • Amada- the family cook and Entoy’s wife. • Entoy- the family driver Summary The Tatarin, or otherwise known as the Tadtarin, was a three day festival that celebrated a ritual of fertility. This was done only by women. Many men frowned upon the extravagant dances and plays surrounding the ritual. "Summer Solstice" is set during the three days of the St. John’s festival. Lupeng, a Filipino woman who feels close to her womanhood, is married to Paeng, who is no doubt loyal to her. They have three sons and live a somewhat wealthy life as they have a carriage driver named Entoy and a maid and cook named Amada. Guido is a cousin of Paeng’s who comes back to the Philippines after studying in Europe. The story starts when the family is enjoying the days of the St. John’s festival until Guido makes suggestive comments to Lupeng, and even bending down to kiss her feet. This makes her leave abruptly and have a discussion with her husband the coming night. Lupeng secretly found herself intrigued by the attention of Guido; she felt that he was correct in saying that women should be ravished and men should adore them. This causes her to participate in the last night of the festival, which is the Tatarin ritual. Paeng goes with her and tries to drag her back once the dancing begun, but she runs from him to the women. He tries to take her back but the women in the crowds beat him out, leaving him helpless. As the two return home, Paeng says he must whip his wife because he loves her and feels that she needs to be put in her place. To this, she shouts and says she wants to be adored, not respected and orders him to kiss her feet. Settings The story takes place in the 1850s during summer. • St. John’s Day • Tatarin Festival Conflict The stereotypes of masculinity and feminine traits run rampant in the story. Women are supposed to look after their husbands and children while the husbands work and wait for their supper. Not only is this seen in the story but in daily life as well, which makes the story shocking to readers since it is about women wanting to be free. Lupeng shatters the concept of the suppressed woman when she gains control of her husband, who kisses her feet at the end of story. This makes it seem as though the internal conflict was that women are the ones who want to be the rulers of men, as seen in the Tatarin festival. Plot Rising Action: The Summer Solstice is a short story written by Nick Joaquin. The book tells the story of a ritual performed by women to call upon the gods to grant fertility. The ritual they perform is to dance around a century-old Balete tree. The ritual was known as Tatarin and lasted for three days during the summer months. The last day of Tatarin is the same day as St Johns Day. The story is set on St Johns Day in the 1850s in the Philippines. Entoy tells Dona Lupeng that Amada has participated in the ritual. While they are onboard a carriage, Dona Lupeng talks about why Amada still believes in the ritual. The carriage comes to a halt and everyone watches a procession taking place Dona Lupeng mocks the arrogance of the men taking part in the procession. When they arrive at the house Dona Lupeng discovers that Guido, Don Paeng’s cousin, had taken part in both the procession they have just witnessed and in the Tatarin ritual. Guido lifted Dona Lupengs skirt whilst she was looking for her children. Dona Lupeng then tells Don Paeng about the incident and tells him that Guido had even kissed her feet. Climax: Don Paeng is disgusted that the woman has been shown adoration, as he feels that love and respect are more befitting. Falling Action: Dona Lupeng and Don Paeng go to witness the ritual and Dona Lupeng joins in with the ceremony. Resolution: Once home, Dona Lupeng makes Don Paeng tell her that he adores her. He submits by kissing her feet. Denouement The Summer Solstice was classed as controversial because of the mix of Pagan ritual and Christian rites of passage. Point of view Third person omniscient was the point of view of the story where in the both reader and writer observe the thoughts of more than one character. Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. It shows the tension between natures, as experienced by a woman Theme Feminism “Triumphant Women”
