THE SMALL KEY

Author: Paz Latorena

Reporters: Escalante, JR Anne Red
Medio, Rose-al
Mirasol, Christine
ICE BREAKER
 Author’s background
• Paz Latorena “Writer” one of the foremost writers of the
first generation of Filipino English writers, in both
literary writing and education was a poet, editor, author,
and teacher. Born: January 17, 1908, Boac, Marinduque
Died: October 19, 1953, Tawi-Tawi Education: University
of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines Manila
• “The Small Key” won third place in Jose
Garcia Villa’s Roll of Honor for the year’s
best short stories. Latorena transferred
to the University of Sto. Tomas, from
which institution she graduated in 1930
 Settings:
•At the backyard of the house
•At the house
 Characters:
• Soledad- wife of Pedro Buhay
• Pedro Buhay- Husband of Soledad
• Tia Maria- housemaid of Indo and Choleng
• Dr. Santos- doctor of Soledad.
Short Video Clip:
PLOT
 Exposition:
• It was warm. The sun up above the sky that
was all blue and tremendous. Pedro Buhay, a
prosperous farmer, was eating. He is in a
hurry to get back to work.
 Rising Action:

• Since it was hot that morning, he removed his

coat before leaving to work in the field. When
he was gone, Soledad began to fold the jacket
and the small key fell to the floor.
 Climax:

• The next morning Pedro discovers a pile of

ashes and half burnt clothing in the
backyard. He realizes what Soledad has done
and rushes to look in the trunk to confirm it.
Soledad has indeed, burned his first wife's
clothing.
 Falling Action

• When Pedro found out that the trunk was

empty.
 Denoument:

• Soledad was still ill and Pedro was trying not

to be angry on Soledad.
 Conflict:

• When Soledad saw a small key and opened an old

trunk/torn garments of Pedro’s first wife.
Immediately, Soledad felt angry and jealous
because Pedro still treasure the things of his first
wife.
 Lesson:

• In life people do something to satisfy themselves

even when they are fully aware of what the
consequences of their actions will be.
 Literary Devices:

• Symbolism:
Small Key- a small rusty key, has a big meaning in the story because
it served as the object that reminds him of his first wife.
Large Key- it represents to Soledad because she has a power to
burnt the clothes of the first wife of Pedro.
Trunk- symbolized how Pedro tried to hide his memories
of his dead wife.
Dead wifes clothes- the remains served as the main
memories of his past wife.
Farm- it represent the feelings of Soledad to the first wife
of Pedro.
• Third person point of view- is the form of storytelling
in which a narrator relates all action in third person.
 Current Trends and Issues:

• Pamilya Ko (Teleserye)
 Conclusion:
• In Pedro’s case we can obviously see that he still have this
so called ‘feelings’ for his wife, let’s say that maybe the
reason why is, he could not deny that for once in his life
he made a promise which is a life time pledge in front of
God and even the people that he swore to his first wife,
he will going to love her for the rest of his life till death
do us part. These memories will continue to remain,
especially because these memories of his and his wife are
ones that could not easily be erased.
But if he just quickly said at that moment or he
already said to his present wife that these clothes are
just serves as memories of his past wife, I think it
will not be that painful in her wife’s feelings. For the
woman there will always be doubts if the husband
will ever be ready to let go of the small key no
matter how small it is.
 References:
• https://www.slideshare.net/vhie2xhannah/the-small-key-phillit-hannalyn
• https://studymoose.com/the-small-key-analysis-essay