The Bread of Salt

By NVM Gonzalez

Submitted by:

Cortiguerra, Jna Mae

De Guzman, Mae Fherl
Fajutagana, Cecelia
Leynes, Hannah Maida
Marasigan, Kimberly C.

BSN 3A

Submitted to:

Dr. Ligaya P. Bandelaria

October 2023
EXPOSITION by Cecelia Fajutagana

"The Bread of Salt" is a short story written by NVM Gonzalez, a renowned Filipino author.

This story, set in the Philippines, provides a poignant exploration of youthful infatuation, social

class distinctions, and the complex interplay of cultural and personal influences. It is a literary

masterpiece that encapsulates the Filipino experience during the early 20th century. The story

is set in the Philippines and is told from the perspective of a young boy who is unnamed

throughout the narrative. He is a skilled violinist, and his life revolves around music,

specifically playing the violin and taking lessons from a wealthy family in his neighbourhood.

The story is written in the first person, giving readers insight into the boy's thoughts, feelings,

and experiences. The story revolves around a young Filipino boy, the unnamed protagonist,

who is invited to the house of Aida, a young girl from a more privileged social class. The

protagonist is filled with a sense of wonder and anticipation as he embarks on this journey,

which is somewhat of a rite of passage for him. The title of the story, "The Bread of Salt,"

holds a symbolic significance. It represents a simple, everyday item—a piece of bread—that

becomes a poignant symbol of the narrator's unrequited love and the economic and social

disparities in the society in which he lives.

RISING ACTION by Hannah Maida Leynes

When the teenage boy Albert, who is fourteen years old, begins to learn and excel in

playing the violin, he nurtures aspirations of impressing Aida, a wealthy girl he is fond of. He

receives an invitation to showcase his violin skills at Aida's 18th birthday celebration. With

dedicated practice and a visit to her affluent home, he starts feeling anxious, recognizing the
contrast in their social background. Despite putting in a considerable amount of effort, his

performance at the party results in disappointment.

CLIMAX by Mae Fherl De Guzman

The climax of the story occurs when Albert, deeply flattered by Aida's presence,

becomes acutely aware of the social gap between himself and Aida. During the surprise party,

Albert performs with his violin, but after the exhausting performance, hunger overtakes him.

He eats some egg yolks and discreetly pockets a few, unaware that Aida might have seen him.

She approaches him and kindly asks if he has eaten, offering to pack some food for him after

the party. Albert is suddenly overcome with embarrassment as the reality of his social status

sinks in.

FALLING ACTION by Jna Mae Cortiguerra

In the story's falling action, following the lavish party hosted by the Rivas sisters, a

significant emotional transformation takes hold of the protagonist. He grapples with the

distressing awareness that his indulgence in the food may have been observed by other Aida

herself, leading to overwhelming feelings of shame and humiliation. Seeking a quiet escape to

the veranda, he rids himself of the egg yolk delicacies. This turn of events made him painfully

aware of the line separating his modest existence from Aida's world of abundance. This

difference shatters his earlier affection for Aida, replaced instead by an overwhelming sense of

disillusionment and self-discovery. As the night gradually gives way to dawn, the protagonist
and his fellow band members says their goodbye to the party, marking the narrative's shift to

the impending resolution.

RESOLUTION by Kimberly Marasigan

In the story's ending, the protagonist, after playing his instrument at Aida's party,

realises that he is still just a poor, anonymous musician in the eyes of Aida and her wealthy

guests. He had hoped that playing at her party would win her heart, but he understands that his

dreams were unrealistic. As the party continues, he feels a sense of isolation and insignificance,

symbolised by the "bread of salt" that he had thought of giving Aida as a gift. The story ends

with a feeling of disappointment and the harsh realisation that his romantic fantasies will likely

never come to fruition. This conclusion focuses on the themes of unrequited love and social

class differences that run throughout the story.

The moral lesson of the story revolves around the idea of self-awareness and the

recognition of one's place in society. The protagonist's obsession with Aida and his desire to

impress her lead him to make foolish decisions, like stealing food from the party. However,

this experience serves as a harsh wake-up call, making him realise the stark difference in social

status between him and Aida. The story teaches us the importance of being aware of our own

limitations and the dangers of idealising others, especially when it leads to dishonesty and

humiliation. The protagonist's journey from attraction to shame serves as a cautionary tale,

encouraging readers to have a more realistic awareness of themselves and their surroundings.

It also emphasises the idea that true love and adoration should not be built on deception or

romanticised ideas.
REFERENCE:

https://buglas-writers.medium.com/the-bread-of-salt-d858d4ea90d1