Manuel E.

Arguilla
• June-17,1911
• Ilocano writer in English
• Nagrebcan, Bauang La Union
• Crisanto Arguilla – Farmer
• Margarita Estabillo - Potter
• University of the Philippines
• Work as a Writer and Printing assisstant at the Carmelo and
Bauermann office
• UP Writers Club leader – 1932-1933
• Creative Writing teacher at University of Manila
 Manuel E. Arguilla
• He usually apply the local colors in his writing
• Known for his widely anthologized short story “ How
My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife,” which is the
main story of his collection that won a first prize in
Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940.
Point of View

1st Person
 Exposition
She stepped down from the carretela of Ca Celin with a
quick, delicate grace. She was lovely. She was tall. She
looked to my brother with a smile, and her forehead was
on a level with his mouth.
“You are Baldo,” she said
“And this is Labang of whom I have heard so much.”
 Setting
Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union

“There is Nagrebcan, Maria”

“Do you remember how I would tell you that when you want to see stars
you must come to Nagrebcan?
 Characters:
• Baldo – younger brother of Leon, an obedient and
innocent boy;
• Leon – older brother of Baldo, responsible, and a
loving husband;
• Maria – wife of Leon. Beautiful, supportive, and a
loving wife;
• Labang – the hardworking bull;
• Father – Leon and Baldo’s father, the one who
instructed Baldo to take the waig instead of Camino
Real.
 Conflict
• Man vs. himself
 Rising Action
When Labang slowed down, my brother Leon handed
me the rope. I knelt on the straw inside the cart and
pulled on the rope until Labang was merely shuffling
along, then I made him turn around.
“What is it, you have forgotten now, Baldo? my brother
Leon said. I did not say anything but stickled with my
finger the rump of Labang.
 Climax

When Leon introduced Maria to his family

 Falling Action

Baldo and his father had a conversation

about what happen while they are travelling.
 Denouement
• Leon’s family talked to Maria
 Formalism
• Focuses to the form or structure
as well as the literary devices
within the certain piece.
 Applying Formalism to the story
How my Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife by
Manuel E. Arguilla
• Form and Structure
-Narrative Structure
• Style
-Descriptive
• Figurative Laguage
-Simile
-Personification
 Simile

• Her voice flowed into his like a gentle stream meeting a

stronger one.
• The Fragrance of her was like a morning when papayas
are in bloom.
 Personification
• Now the shadows took fright and did not crowd so
near.
• Before us the fields swam in a golden haze
through which floated big purple and red and
yellow bubbles when I looked at the sinking sun.
• The wind whistled against my cheeks and the
rattling of the wheels on the pebbles of the road
echoed in my ears.
 Symbols
• Camino Real – easy life
• Sky Sown with Star – sense of camaraderie
- Camaraderie is a spirit of good
friendship and loyalty among
members of a group. You might not
like your job, but still enjoy the
camaraderie of the people you work
with.
• Following way of Waig – hard life in rural area
• Star – hope / guidance
 Theme
• Thou shall not judge the book by its
cover.
• Happiness lies in sacrifices.
• Culture and status is not a hindrance
when it comes to “Love”.
 Conclusion
Through Formalism, closed reading is necessary in order to
examine the text. The elements of the story were visible. The
author’s choice of words were amazingly right that it totally fitted
and revealed the effectiveness of using the imagery and other
figurative languages as it described the characters and the
setting.

Overall, the story is awesome. No wonder Arguilla’s

collection of short story got the 1st prize in the Commonwealth
Literary Contest in 1940 because of his style of writing.