A LITERARY CRITICISM OF THE POEM “I GOT FLOWERS TODAY” BY PAULETTE

KELLY AND THE SHORT STORY “THE VERY LAST STORY OF HULI” BY LILIAN
QUINDOZA-SANTIAGO

Department of Teacher Education

University of Mindanao Digos Collrge
Digos City, Davao del Sur

Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

ELT 322 – Literary Criticism
First Term, Second Semester
Academic Year 2023-2024

DELA TORRE, CHRISTINE M.

March 2024
 I GOT FLOWERS TODAY
A poem by Paulette Kelly

I got flowers today!

It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night;
And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt;
I know that he is sorry and didn’t mean to say the things he said;
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today!

It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.
[…]
If I leave him, what will I do? How will I take care of the kids? What about money?
I’m afraid of him, but I’m too scared and dependent to leave him!
But I know he must be sorry;
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today….

Today was a special day.—it was the day of my funeral;
Last night he killed me;
If only I would have gathered the courage and strength to leave him.
I could have received help from the Women’s Shelter, but I didn’t ask for their help;
So I got flowers today—for the last time.
ANALYSIS:

The poignant and thought-provoking poem "I Got Flowers Today" by Paulette Kelly

explores the horrifying reality of domestic abuse from the viewpoint of a woman. I've chosen to

examine this poetry using a feminist analysis, which is especially pertinent to this poem because

it highlights the societal roles, experiences, and viewpoints of women. By using this approach,

the poem may be interpreted as a critique of the social systems that condone such brutality as

much as a personal story.

The poem’s primary theme is domestic abuse, a serious problem that from a feminist lens

aims to solve. “I Got Flowers Today” is a common statement used to describe the cycle of

violence and regret that characterizes abusive relationships. Ironically, the abuser uses the

flowers — which are usually associated with love and affection— used by the abuser as a

manipulative tool to keep the victim under control. Abusers frequently employ this cycle to keep

their victims in a condition of uncertainty and terror, making it hard for the victim to end the

abusive relationship.

The abuse cycle is introduced in the first stanza. Flowers are sent as gestures of

forgiveness to the speaker of the poem, implying that the abuser is regretful. The victim is led to

feel that the abuser didn’t want to harm them, but this also encourages the abuse because the

flowers take the meaning of forgiveness.

The dynamics of power in relationships that are abusive and the rise in violence are

depicted in the second stanza. The violence is arbitrary and unexpected, as evidenced by the
abuser’s actions, which are unrelated to any particular event. Abusers frequently utilize this

unpredictable approach to keep control over the people they mistreat.

The third stanza highlights the fear and financial dependence that frequently trap the

victims in abusive relationships. The speaker expresses fear of the abuser and concern about their

ability to financially support themselves and their children if they leave. This situation reflects

societal systems that often make women financially dependent on their spouses, which makes it

harder for them to escape from an abusive partner.

The last stanza emphasizes the devastating consequences of domestic abuse. The speaker

receives flowers for the final time at her death, symbolizing the ultimate price of enduring the

abusive relationship. It mentions that the Women’s Shelter indicates that help was available, but

she either chose not to or couldn’t access it. This underscores the significance of easily

accessible support networks for victims of domestic abuse.

The poem by Kelly offers a deep and personal view into what it's like to be a woman in

an abusive relationship. All too frequently, the victim of domestic violence will experience

psychological reactions such as dread, reliance, and justification for the assault. These reactions

are frequently the outcome of a confluence of psychological fears, cultural pressures, and the

abuser's deceitful strategies. These experiences are highlighted by the feminist perspective,

which also highlights the necessity of societal reform to solve these problems. In addition to

causing pain and suffering for victims and their families, violence against women has a

significant negative impact on society all over the world. Most often, it occurs in close

connections or between acquaintances (Krahé, 2016). As stated by García-Moreno et al., (2015),

governments must address the political, social, and economic systems that oppress women, put
national plans into action, and commit funds to support initiatives across a range of industries to

stop and fix abuse. It is essential to prioritize prevention.

Poignant criticism of women's societal demands, especially the drive to uphold the family

at any cost, is also presented in the poem. Fears about providing for her kids and maintaining her

financial security are shared by the victim, mirroring societal norms that frequently force women

into abusive relationships. Feminism aims to overthrow patriarchal systems, which are reflected

in these standards. The poem challenges and encourages readers to consider these cultural

conventions by drawing attention to them. Ending violence against women is crucial, since one

in three women and girls worldwide suffer from this pandemic, as UN Women (2014) stated.

The poem encourages readers to address this widespread problem by serving as an

important reminder of the terrible results of domestic abuse. It is a wake-up call for all of us to

work for a society free from fear and violence against women. Not only may we interpret this

poem as a personal story, but also as an effective investigation of the systemic systems that

condone such brutality. It serves as a reminder of the ability of literature to illuminate the most

hidden facets of our culture and to inspire social change.

 THE VERY LAST STORY OF HULI

A short story by Lilia Quindoza-Santiago

ANALYSIS:

The story opens with Huli escaping Padre Camorra's exploitation—a representation of the

authority and control of patriarchy. The struggle of women in a society that frequently leaves

them unprotected and vulnerable is symbolized by her subsequent traveling in seeking food and

shelter. This is made much clearer when Huli runs across certain men who prey on her

vulnerability. In addition to showing physical violence, this incident also serves as a critique of

the social systems that condone it. It emphasizes how toxic masculinity, in which physical

dominance and sexual aggressiveness are common ways of asserting authority, is widespread.

Huli's interaction with the investigator introduces another dimension of patriarchal

oppression. The investigator, who is supposed to uphold justice, instead becomes another

perpetrator of abuse. This incident highlights the systemic nature of gender-based violence,

where institutions that are supposed to protect women often fail them. It also underscores the

lack of safe spaces for women, even within systems that are supposed to provide protection.

Tinyong's persona stands in sharp contrast to the obviously aggressive men Huli had

previously encountered. At first, he seems like a kind man, giving Huli a place to stay and even

saving her from her horrible situation. His actual motives, however, ultimately come to light and
expose yet another method of patriarchal control. The way patriarchal control is ingrained, with

women being tricked into thinking they are secure only to have their trust abused, is reflected in

his effort to take advantage of Huli.

A major turning point in the story occurs when Huli kills Tinyong out of self-defense. It

is a powerful gesture of defiance against her oppressor and a representation of her agency in

symbolic form. But the repercussions of her behavior, which result in her being locked up in a

mental health facility, highlight the social penalty frequently inflicted on women who defy

patriarchal expectations. Women are harmed for both their cooperation and their opposition to

patriarchal dominance, a situation that is reflected in this. The debate over the true cause of

Huli's wandering is a critique of the views that society has toward women. Society chooses to

place the responsibility on Huli rather than addressing the underlying reasons for her situation,

which is indicative of a victim-blaming culture.

Santiago uses symbols to highlight her message of feminism even more. For example,

Huli's name, which translates to "turn" in Filipino, represents her choice to reject social

conventions and act defiantly. The transformational potential of women's fight against patriarchal

systems is emphasized by this symbolic aspect. The name "Huli" represents more than simply a

name; it is a symbol of transformation and rebellion that embodies the essence of female

struggle.

Feminist analysis may also be used to the power relationships that Huli has with the male

characters in the story. Huli's interactions with these characters shed light on the oppressive

frameworks that women face daily. In my opinion, this character represents our helplessness

when we are unable to speak up for ourselves and, as a result, we awaken our inner demons, act

in ways that cause us to become delusional, and impose new standards on ourselves. Huli,
meanwhile, demonstrates women's autonomy and perseverance in the face of oppression by

refusing to give in to these demands. Through their role as an example of the wider social

systems, these interactions offer a critical reflection on how prevalent patriarchy is.

Santiago criticizes patriarchal expectations and emphasizes the value of women's

independence and resistance through the figure of Huli. Santiago's dedication to bringing

attention to women's perspectives and challenges in a patriarchal environment is demonstrated by

this story. It acts as a reminder of the strength of female voices and the capacity for change

reflected in their struggle.