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Thursday, May 5, 2011
Short Story Analysis: "Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio
I. Wedding Dance
by Amador Daguio
II. SYNOPSIS/ SUMMARY
Awiyao and Lumnay were husband and wife for seven years, but now the
husband has to marry another woman, Madulimay, because Lumnay was not able to
give him a child. (In their culture in the mountains during those times, having a
child to follow after the husbands name was a must.)
On the night of the wedding, Awiyao goes to his and Lumnays house to
personally invite her to the traditional wedding dance. However, Lumnay, the best
dancer in the entire tribe, refuses to go. Then, during their conversation, it is
revealed that both of them still love each other, but because of their tribes custom,
they have to separate.
Awiyao goes back to the wedding, to the wedding dance, after being fetched
by some friends. Lumnay wants to follow, partly because of the dance, and partly
because she wants to put a stop to their tribes tradition of having to marry another
partner just to have a child.
III. SHORT STORY ELEMENTS
A. CHARACTERS
1. Lumnay a woman who was left by her husband because he had to marry
another woman/ Developing
2. Awiyao- the husband stated above / Flat
3. Madulimay Awiyaos new wife / Flat
B. PLOT - Linear
a) Introduction
The story opens with Awiyao entering his and Lumnays house.
b) Rising Action
Things start to heat up when Lumnay says she does not want any other man.
c) Climax
There is more intensity when Awiyao says he does not want any other woman.
d)
Falling action
Denouement
The conflict here is Man vs. Society. The lead characters have to follow their
tribes custom --ARV
Posted by Ann Villanueva at 1:32 PM
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Labels: "Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio
336 comments:
sherry.zanderMay 10, 2011 at 5:25 PM
Thank you for visiting my blog -- http://writing4effect.wordpress.com. I thought I'd
check yours out, too. This was a terrific and well-thought out analysis of the
"Wedding Dance." You'd never know from your writing that you are not a native
American. You write in very good American English. Great job, Ann.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaMay 10, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Thanks so much, ma'am. My MA-English studies have helped a lot...
Reply
AnonymousJuly 14, 2011 at 10:50 PM
this is a great summary about Amador Daguio's short story "Wedding Dance". :)
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 15, 2011 at 5:53 AM
Thanks very much...
Reply
AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 4:12 PM
can someone please tell me what is the human condition in this short story? Thank
you =)
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 21, 2011 at 2:08 AM
Hi there. For me, the human condition is this short story is directly connected to the
theme True love never dies and is centered on Awiyaos and Lumnays respective
love for each other. Love is a universal feeling which most, if not all, people have
experienced at some point in their lives. These two characters still love each other
but have to let go because of their tribes custom, and I think this is the essence of
true love, that of loving someone unconditionally.
Reply
AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Thank's Very much =)
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 22, 2011 at 11:14 PM
You're welcome...
Reply
AnonymousJuly 23, 2011 at 5:28 AM
what is the tone of the story?
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 23, 2011 at 8:51 AM
In my opinion, the tone in this short story is serious. Indeed, there is seriousness
here because all of the people in the tribe have to follow the traditions, and one of
these is for a man to have a child by his wife.
Reply
AnonymousJuly 23, 2011 at 11:13 PM
can i ask a question
From whom was the mood emphasize?
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 24, 2011 at 1:18 AM
Hello there. Questions are very much welcome... The author seems to emphasize, to
the readers, the mood that is somewhat dark, as stated in the first paragraphs line
After some moments during which he seemed to wait, he talked to the listening
darkness. This short storys introduction already tells each reader of the storys
darkness in terms of the major characters true love for each other that cannot be
realized due to their tribes custom. In this regard, many symbols are utilized in
order to make such darkness manifest itself in a deeper and more meaningful
manner.
Reply
AnonymousJuly 24, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Compare and contrast the story " The Wedding Dance " and the story " How My
Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife ".
Thanks a lot ma'am.
Reply
AnonymousJuly 24, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Thank you so much ma'am. It really helps my Literary Criticism subject.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 25, 2011 at 1:10 AM
Hi there. Thanks, too, for visiting my blog... On the other hand, you're welcome...
If we base the comparison on the aforementioned two short stories respective
authors, these have a big connection because Amador Daguio (1912-1966) and
Manuel Arguilla (1911-1944) were born one year apart and both had Ilokano
backgrounds. Using the Biographical Approach in Literary Criticism, having these
mutual factors count a lot when comparing the two stories. However, using the
Reader Response Criticism, such factors may not have weight. Utilizing my personal
perspective, I hereby conclude that the comparison lies mainly on the common
aspect of marriage, since each story has a husband and a wife as the main set of
characters. Moreover, both stories use symbols which can have various meanings
according to every reader. Meanwhile, the contrast can be seen on each storys
tone: Wedding Dance has a sad and 'dark' twist whilst How My Brother Leon
Brought Home a Wife" has a light and 'bright' approach.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 25, 2011 at 1:16 AM
You're welcome... Thank you for visiting my blog... I also had a Literary Criticism
subject which was "broken down" into two separate classes (one basic and one
advanced).
Reply
AnonymousJuly 28, 2011 at 3:35 AM
a big help for my project in english..thanks alot...!!!!
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 28, 2011 at 6:31 AM
I'm glad to know that... You're welcome...
Reply
AnonymousJuly 30, 2011 at 7:25 AM
could i ask questions?
was the conflict seems to be resolved?
Reply
Ann VillanuevaJuly 30, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Hi. Yes, you can ask questions. The conflict seems to be resolved at the ending of
the story when Awiyao goes back to his wedding, after he and Lumnay have
accepted their fate of having to separate because of their tribe's tradition.
Reply
AnonymousAugust 1, 2011 at 5:09 AM
can i ask a question?
what are the characteristics of Awiyao and Luminay?
Reply
Ann VillanuevaAugust 2, 2011 at 2:29 AM
Hello. Yes, you can ask a question. The characteristics of Awiyao and Lumnay are as
follows:
Amiyao-humorous and physically fit, as stated in the lines "How proud she had been
of his humor. The muscles where taut and firm, bronze and compact in their hold
upon his skull---how frank his bright eyes were. She looked at his body the carved
out of the mountains five fields for her; his wide and supple torso heaved as if a slab
of shining lumber were heaving; his arms and legs flowed down in fluent muscle."
Lumnay- beautiful, a good dancer, strong in planting beans, fast in cleaning jars,
and a good housekeeper, as mentioned in the line "He held her face between his
hands and looked longingly at her beauty," and also in the line "One of the men will
see you dance well; he will like your dancing," as well as in the lines "I came to tell
you that Madulimay, although I am marrying her, can never become as good as you
are. She is not as strong in planting beans, not as fast in cleaning water jars, not as
good keeping a house clean. You are one of the best wives in the whole village."
Reply
AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 11:57 PM
This is very helpful. Do you have a review on " How My Brother Leon Brought Home
His Wife?"? Thanks
Reply
Ann VillanuevaAugust 6, 2011 at 7:34 AM
Many thanks... I'll do a review on that nice story soon...
Reply
AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 2:40 AM
can i ask a question.....??
what is the suspense in the story
Reply
Ann VillanuevaAugust 7, 2011 at 5:12 AM
By all means, you can ask a question The suspense in the story is when Lumnay
and Awiyao both declare that they still love each other, as stated in the lines below.
These lines made me think, as I was reading this wonderful story, that they would
forget about their tribe's tradition so that they could be together again.
I dont want any man, she said sharply. I dont want any other man.
He felt relieved that at least she talked: You know very well that I wont want any
other woman either. You know that, dont you? Lumnay, you know it, dont you?
Reply
AnonymousAugust 8, 2011 at 7:59 AM
why is the story entitled the wedding dance?
Reply
fields I have carved out of the mountains; nobody will come after me. If you failif
you fail this second time she said thoughtfully. The voice was a shudder. Nono, I
dont want you to fail.
On the other hand, the line Tonight, all the women who counted, who once danced
in her honor, were dancing now in honor of another whose only claim was that
perhaps she could give her husband a child manifests the second attempt of
Awiyao with Madulimay who can perhaps give him a child.
Regarding the bean plants, as mentioned in the part quoted below, seems to stand
for the great possibility of Awiyaos success of having a child with his new wife.
The mountain clearing was cold in the freezing moonlight. The wind began to stir
the leaves of the bean plants. Lumnay looked for a big rock on which to sit down.
The bean plants now surrounded her, and she was lost among them. A few more
weeks, a few more months, a few more harvestswhat 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.
Lastly, the line Lumnays fingers moved a long, long time among the growing bean
pods seemingly tells us that Lumnay has finally approved of her husbands
marriage to another woman, despite the pain that she feels, because she loves him.
Reply
AnonymousAugust 11, 2011 at 12:25 AM
can i ask you some questions?
1. what do the following symbolize : beans, beads, flooring of the house, stream and
house?
2. whose love is greater: awiyao's or lumnay's? explain.
3. is the story still relevant today? explain.
4. if you were lumnay, would you have released your husband? justify..
thank you very much .. :)god bless..
Reply
AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 3:00 AM
how is the conflict resolved?
Reply
Ann VillanuevaAugust 12, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Yeah, you can ask some questions.
1. For me, the beans symbolize Lumnays approval of Awiyaos marriage to
Madulimay, inspite of the pain which she feels, because of her true love for him.
Meanwhile, the beads seem to stand for Awiyaos continuing love for Lumnay
because even if he will marry another woman, he did not get back such beads which
were originally from his grandmother. In my opinion, the bamboo flooring of the
house seems to represent freedom (the freedom of Awiyao to marry another
woman) since the bamboo goes up and down when the rattan, that is there to keep
it in place, is moved. On the other hand, the stream, which is mentioned in the part
When she came to the mountain stream she crossed it carefully. Nobody held her
hand, and the stream water was very cold is somewhat an indication of her being
so lonely and alone, perhaps for the rest of her life. Lastly, the house that is dark
and illuminated only by fire, can mean that despite the merriment of the people for
Awiyaos and Madulimays wedding, both Awiyao and Lumnay are not happy.
2. Awiyao and Lumnay still love each other, as mentioned in the story, but I think it
is Lumnays love that is greater because of the bigger amount of sacrifice that she
is making; she is left alone whilst Awiyao has someone with him who can give him a
child.
3. With the modernization and high technology today, I can easily say that this story
is not relevant anymore. However, looking at it in a deeper perspective and in
another manner, I believe that it is still relevant, especially that the overall focus
here are unconditional love, sacrifice, and selflessness which many people still
experience and do so as to make their respective loved ones happy even if they
themselves will be left sad.
4. If I were Lumnay, I would have also released my husband because of our tribes
tradition. More so, I would not want to continue living with a man if we cannot follow
the tribes rules, and he would have eventually regretted the decision of not
marrying another woman for this reason.
You're welcome. God bless.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaAugust 12, 2011 at 11:48 PM
The conflict here, Man vs. Society, is resolved after Awiyao and Lumnay heartily
talked with each other. They have agreed to go on with their respective lives, with
Awiyao marrying another woman, even if they still love each other. Both of them
feel that they should follow their tribe's custom (moreover, Awiyao wants so much
to have a child to follow after his name), after a bit of hesitance in Lumnay's part.
Reply
Michelle AjeroAugust 13, 2011 at 9:13 PM
Will you please answer these questions?
Whose love is greater? Awiyao's or Lumnay's? Why?
and what does the flooring of the house symbolizes?
Reply
Personally, I love this story and I recommend it as a great topic for any literary
class.
Reply
AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 7:45 PM
can you please help me..what will be my objectives if i teach or present this short
story wedding dance to the class..
Reply
Ann VillanuevaAugust 22, 2011 at 8:21 PM
Your objectives can be:
1. To be able to present to the class a classic example of the wonders of Philippine
Literature. This story's author, Amador Daguio, has been and will always be
amongst our country's best writers.
2. To be able to give a good example of unconditional love.
3. To be able to show a wonderful glimpse of our country's culture.
Reply
AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 11:20 PM
thanks maam..we're going to make a graphic organizer about this short story, how
will i do this? and ho will i am going to discuss?
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AnonymousAugust 24, 2011 at 12:22 AM
how can you say that the story is beautiful ?? please kindly give your opinion? thank
you :PP
Reply
Ann VillanuevaAugust 24, 2011 at 8:07 PM
Kindly refer to this graphic organizer (link below) and put the events I listed
(underneath) in their respective proper places:
http://myeport.com/published/t/uc/tucson5/collection/10/20/upload.pdf
Basic situation and conflict Man vs. Society. The two lead characters have to follow
their tribes custom
Event 1 - Awiyao enters his and Lumnays house
Event 2 - Lumnay says she does not want any other man
Event 3 - Awiyao says he does not want any other woman
Event 4 - However, they have to follow their tribes tradition
Reply
Ann VillanuevaSeptember 15, 2011 at 5:36 AM
Good evening. Yes, you can ask questions.
1. It is important for him to have a child because aside from it being the tribe's rule,
he wants a child to follow after his family name.
2. In my opinion, the "unwritten" law of the tribe is that even if it is a must to follow
the tradition, perhaps it can allow a couple to go against it if the reasons are valid.
This is just my opinion as a reader.
3. Although this has not been mentioned directly, a man expresses his intention to
marry someone from the tribe by courting her the natural way, by stating his
intentions.
4. The figure of speech in "She thought of seven harvests that had passed" can be
Imagery or Symbolism.
You're welcome. God bless.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaSeptember 15, 2011 at 5:39 AM
Wow, that's wonderful. You're welcome. I'm happy that this blog is helping students.
God bless, and more power, too.
Reply
AnonymousSeptember 15, 2011 at 7:03 AM
youre somehow confusing with regards on your grammar maam., i've noticed some
few errors.
maybe its a great help if you review those
Reply
Ann VillanuevaSeptember 15, 2011 at 5:15 PM
Thanks for your feedback. I admit I sometimes write in a hurry, without reviewing
what has been written. Yes, I will review those.
Reply
Replies
AnonymousFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:59 PM
you're so humble maam. I appreciate your effort a lot. Continue being such.
Reply
melvinSeptember 16, 2011 at 7:26 PM
great :) thanks it helps me alot :) :*
melvin:)
Reply
Ann VillanuevaSeptember 17, 2011 at 3:06 AM
Thanks, Melvin, and you're very much welcome :)
Reply
AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 4:23 PM
goodmorning ma'am i have one question can you answer it please?can you explain
the symbolism of the following beads and fields.
Thank you ma'am
God will guide you always you're so helpful...
Reply
AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:57 PM
i have a question ma'am, what do you think is the best theme song for the story
"Wedding Dance"?
Reply
AnonymousSeptember 25, 2011 at 7:30 PM
good morning ma'am, can you please answer these questions...
1. analyze how the author builds up suspense.
2. analyze the conflict in the story. bring out details which emphasize the conflict.
3. the story takes place among non-Christian tribe, might the story also takes place
among christians?
4. Locate the basic illusions of the story.
5. explain the symbolism of the last sentence.
Reply
AnonymousSeptember 26, 2011 at 10:21 PM
what does gangsa and moonlight symbolizes?
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AnonymousSeptember 26, 2011 at 10:28 PM
the story ended that lumnay is already pregnant!
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AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:34 AM
hi
can i ask a question??
>is the introduction interesting-it catch your attention easily? how the story
begins?- with conversation? with description?
>when does it take place? how much time covered by the action? is there a change
in place or time setting?
>who are the minor characters? what devices has the author used to make them
Hi there. So sorry for the late reply. Have been quite busy lately.
1. The author builds up suspense through the use of symbols.
2. This story's conflict is Man vs. Society. The lead characters have to follow their
tribes custom.
3. I don't think this story can take place among Christians.
4. One of the basic illusions, in my opinion, can be found in the line "After some
moments during which he seemed to wait, he talked to the listening darkness"
wherein there seems to be a "distracting" meaning of the phrase "listening
darkness."
5. "Lumnay's fingers moved a long, long time among the growing bean pods." This
last sentence seemingly tells us that Lumnay has finally approved of her husbands
marriage to another woman, despite the pain that she feels, because she loves him.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:23 AM
For me, the gangsa symbolizes the merriment from the wedding of Madulimay and
Awiyao whilst the moonlight represents the glitter of hope for Awiyao to finally have
his own child.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Readers can have various interpretations on the story's ending, especially that the
respective symbols can represent different meanings. Hence, I cannot say that
Lumnay was actually pregnant in such ending. However, since the author did not
directly say that Lumnay was not pregnant, I think that her pregnancy would be
possible.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Hi. I believe that the introduction is interesting and it caught my attention easily
when I first read it. This story begins with the description of Awiyao entering his and
Lumnay's house.
The story takes place in the mountains in a place here in the Philippines. In its
entirety, the story's action covers one night. There is no change in place or time
setting.
Meanwhile, the minor characters are Madulimay and the other people of the tribe.
The devices that he author used to make them appear real involve description and
action.
When Lumnay says she does not want any other man, the complication is brought
about.
Reply
But I'm wondering... our professor said that Lumnay is pregnant. Too late to know
that she's pregnant.
Reply
AnonymousOctober 3, 2011 at 7:02 PM
my prof. also said that it can also be minimalism....because the setting and the
characters are very simple yet very meaty.^^,tnx teacher ana
Reply
AnonymousOctober 4, 2011 at 11:07 PM
what are the illusions in the story ma'am?
Reply
Ann VillanuevaOctober 6, 2011 at 11:29 PM
So sorry very late reply. I've been very busy these past days. I'll read such story
tonight and give the answers right after...
Reply
Ann VillanuevaOctober 6, 2011 at 11:31 PM
The story is reasonable because the tribe's tradition is acceptable. On the other
hand, this can also be considered as inevitable or unavoidable because the people
of the tribe cannot avoid their tradition since it is also actually for their own good.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaOctober 6, 2011 at 11:33 PM
It is "description" because the tribe and its tradition have been described.
Meanwhile, it is also "action" because the people really act on this tradition.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaOctober 6, 2011 at 11:35 PM
Especially if the Reader's Response Approach is applied, it is alright for a reader to
conclude that Lumnay is pregnant. The story's ending somehow insinuates this, as
well as insinuates that Lumnay will face the rest of her life alone.
Reply
Ann VillanuevaOctober 6, 2011 at 11:38 PM
Yes, it can also be minimalism... You're welcome...
Reply
AnonymousOctober 9, 2011 at 6:26 AM
Hi! Can you send me the script for the wedding dance? It will be really helpful for
our stage play..Thank you very much..! Here's my e-mail:
redeemersfacebook@gmail.com
Reply