Bread of Salt by NVM Gonzales

Critic by Ma. Dessa B. Wahing

This paper argues that “Bread of Salt” written by NVM Gonzales in a 21 st Century story. This story
is all about a teenage boy who buys pandesal or “bread of salt” because it’s wonderful flavor. Everyday
he walks by the house of the old Spaniard’s niece Aida whom the boy he liked. He could follow her
everyday to school. He would also think how he would confess his feelings for her during classes.

This research assumption in by the literary concept of Historical criticism, reader’s-response and
feminism.

Historical criticism refers to the study of literary texts, particularly ancient texts and especially
the Bible, in terms of their historical origins and development within those contexts .  The author
introducing a fourteen-year-old boy who is the protagonist in the story. The narrator is seen to fall in love
with the breadof the salt and the niece of a Spaniard plantation owner, Aida, whom he considers out of
his league. The boy spends the majority of his time day-dreaming about Aida. He also carries with him
the dream of becoming a violinist. The boy believes that the only way he can impress Aida isif he
becomes the best violinist. However, his aunt discourages him noting that musicians alwayseat last.
Nevertheless, he still holds on to his music dream, and when called upon by one of the local band
members, Pete Saez, to join the band, Minviluz Orchestra, he quickly agrees. The boy saves up from the
different gigs that he goes to with the band so that he can buy Aida a brooch. However, his plans fail to
materialize when his grandmother asks for all his savings. When the band is asked to perform in the old
Spanish house, they avail themselves early.

Reader’s response criticism is concerned with reviewers reaction as an audience of work. The
story has a very meaningful ending, even though not everyone can see it. This line makes me sad
“the bread was not yet ready. The bread symbolizes the boy. He was not yet ready to face the real
world; he was still young to understand life’s challenges. For example, his dream of being together
with Aida didn’t happen, but was not ready to accept this. He didn’t realize that God has a better
plan for him, because he was still young.

Feminist criticism is arising in conjunction with sociopolitical feminism, critiques patriarchal

language and literature by exposing how these reflect masculine ideology. It examines gender politics in
works and traces the subtle construction of masculinity and femininity, and their relative status,
positionings, and marginalizations within works. The protagonist also ponders on the success of the two
girls in finding suitable husbands. It is important to note that he only wondered about their success
there, and not perhaps, with their music or studies. …which the Buenavista Women’s Club wished to
give Don Esteban’s daughters, Josefina and Alicia, who were arriving…The spinsters were much loved by
the ladies…these ladies studied solfeggio with Josefina and the piano and harp with Alicia. …and the
Buenavista ladies admired that…I wondered how successful they had been in Manila during the past
three years in the matter of finding suitable husbands. …Alicia played on the harp and then, in answer to
the deafening applause, she offered an encore. Josefina sang afterward. Her voice, though a little husky,
fetched enormous sighs. An important factor that can lead to the understanding of the societal ideas of
gender may be the place where the society resides, or namely, the setting. The setting can be assumed
to be during the time of the Spaniards, wherein they were powerful and admired, as well as wealthy.
One part that shows this is when the main character wonders if he will spend the future in the service of
the house of Aida’s grandfather, who is a Spaniard. Another is when he talks about how Aida has fair
skin and bobbed dark brown. Theater Journal , 40 (4), 519-531.

The story "The Bread of Salt" was written by NVM Gonzales. The lesson to be learned from the
story is to accept that not all our dreams will come true. This is a reality we all need to face.