Literary Analysis

on

How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife

By: Manuel E. Arguilla

Who is Manuel E. Arguilla?
Who is Manuel E. Arguilla?
He was born in Barrio Nagrebcan in Bauang, La
Union on June 17, 1911.

Fourth son of Crisanto Arguilla and Margarita

Estabillo.

He graduated in a public elementary school at

Bauang, La Union in 1926.
Who is Manuel E. Arguilla?
Arguilla moved to Manila and finished
Bachelor of Science in Education at the
University of the Philippines

He became a member and later the

president of the U.P. Writer's Club and
editor of the university's Literary
Apprentice.
Who is Manuel E. Arguilla
Arguilla studied high school in San
Fernando, La Union where he was the
editor of the school’s official organ, La
Union Tab, and took him only three
years to complete his secondary
education as a class salutatorian in
1930.
Who is Manuel E. Arguilla
In 1933, he married Lydia Villanueva,
another aspiring writer.

After graduating, he taught at the

University of Manila while working at the
Bureau of Public Welfare.
Who is Manuel E. Arguilla
In 1940, he became the managing editor of
the Bureau of Welfare newsletter,
the Welfare Advocate, until the latter half of
1943.

He was appointed to the Board of Censors

and was asked to serve in the Japanese
propaganda agency.
Who is Manuel E. Arguilla
While working for the Japanese, he was
heading the “Porch,” the Markings’ counter-
intelligence and propaganda unit operating
in Manila.

The enemy discovered his guerilla activities,

and subsequently, had him arrested in
February 1944.
CHARACTERIZATION
CHARACTERS ROLE CHARACTERISTICS

BALDO •The one who narrated •Obedient

the story •Innocent
•Naïve Boy
•Younger brother of
Leon

LEON •Older brother of Baldo •Responsible

•Gentle
•Who brought home a •Loving husband
wife
CHARACTERIZATION
CHARACTERS ROLE CHARACTERISTICS

MARIA •She was born and grew •Beautiful

up in a big city and she is •Supportive
the WIFE OF LEON •Creative
•Loving Wife

LABANG The Bull who brought •A hardworking PET.

home the wife and Leon

Baldo considers him as a

PET.
CHARACTERIZATION
CHARACTERS ROLE CHARACTERISTICS

FATHER The one who instructed •Mild tempered

Baldo on what he will do •Gentleman
while he is on the road
with Leon and Maria.
SYMBOLS
LABANG
-Symbolizes the
COURAGE OF
MARIA.
ROCKY
ROAD
- Symbolizes
struggles,
difficulties, full of
obstacles or
problems on an
adventure
towards reaching
one’s direction
Rope of
Labang
-

Symbolize
s strength
of Leon
Papaya
- Symbolizes
WOMAN
The song:
Sky Sown with
Stars
- Symbolizes
the Love of
Leon’s father for
him and the love
of Leon for Maria
CULTURAL APPROACH

Literary Criticisms: HOW
The author preserves the MY BROTHER LEON
culture and values of BROUGHT HOME A WIFE
Filipinos in terms of
moral codes, ethical  We also relate and
practice, etiquette and
personal values that are
emphasize the using of
promoted on our society. kalesa in the story
He uses the “pagmano” wherein it is used by
as the symbol of respect our ancestors and
for the parents and he instead of cars they
also introduced his wife used horse and instead
to his family which shows of tractors the used
the etiquette of the carabao as their helper
Filipinos. in the farm.
MORAL
 Literary Criticisms: HOW
APPROACH MY BROTHER LEON
BROUGHT HOME A WIFE
Be still in the presence of

the Lord, and wait For the wicked will be
patiently for him to act. destroyed, but those
Don’t worry about evil who trust in the Lord
people who prosper or
will possess the land.
fret about their wicked
schemes. Stop being
angry! Turn from your PSALM 37: 7-9
rage! Do not lose your NEW LIVING
temper—it only leads to TRANSLATION 
harm.
PHILOSOPHICAL
APPROACH Literary Criticisms: HOW
MY BROTHER LEON
BROUGHT HOME A WIFE
Being deeply loved
by someone gives
you strength,
while loving
someone deeply
gives you
courage. 
–Lao Tzu
References:
 Retrieved from https://prezi.com/_6pokenrsu8j/how-my-
brother-leon-brought-home-a-wife/ on 27 September 2015
 Retrieved from NLT Study Bible on 27 September 2015
 Retrieved from http://philosiblog.com/2011/08/24/being-
deeply-loved-by-someone-gives-you-strength-while-loving-
someone-deeply-gives-you-courage/ on 27 September 2015

 Retrieved from http://pantasprojectphils.net84.net/lit-

elib/arguilla.html on 27 September 2015

 Retrieved from
http://my1stblogjd.blogspot.com/2011/10/manuel-
arguilla.html on 27 September 2015