How my Brother Leon Brought Home

a Wife
by Manuel E. Arguilla
Manuel Estabillo Arguilla

Manuel E. Arguilla, acclaimed short story writer,

patriot, and guerilla hero, was born in Bauang,
La Union on June 17, 1911. He studied at the
University of the Philippines where he joined
the UP Writers Club and later became the
president and the editor of the UP Literary
Apprentice.
Manuel Estabillo Arguilla

His famous works were compiled in a book

titled How My Brother Leon Brought Home A
Wife and Other Stories published in 1940 which
won first prize in the Commonwealth Literary
Contest. These stories were written when he
was 22-29 years old.
Manuel Estabillo Arguilla

When the Japanese invaded the country,

he led a division of the Markings
Guerillas. He was captured and was
sentenced to death. He was executed on
October 1944 at the age of 33.
CHARACTERS
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
CHARACTERS
CHARACTERS
SETTING
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
SETTING
The setting took place in Nagrebcan, La Union.
The Province of La Union (literally: The Union), is a
province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region
or Region 1 in Luzon, whose capital is San Fernando City
and borders Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east,
and Pangasinan to the south, to the west of La Union is
the South China Sea.
SETTING
The setting took place in Nagrebcan, La Union.
The Province of La Union (literally: The Union), is a
province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region
or Region 1 in Luzon, whose capital is San Fernando City
and borders Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east,
and Pangasinan to the south, to the west of La Union is
the South China Sea.
PLOT:
EXPOSITION
How m
y Broth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
EXPOSITION
The inciting action of the story was when “she stepped
down to the Carretela of Ca Celin with a quick, delicate
grace. She look very lovely, she was tall. She looked up
to my brother with a smile, and her forehead was
leveled to his mouth”. It goes when Leon introduced
Maria as his wife to his younger brother, Baldo whose
thinking deeply if father will like Maria. He’s thinking if
Maria can survive or will fit in the life in barrio or rural
areas than urban city where she grew up.
PLOT:
CONFLICT
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
CONFLICT: Man vs. Society

Leon brought a wife to his hometown, Nagrebcan, La

Union. His wife, Maria, is a woman who grew up in the
city and is not used to living in rural places. But then,
Leon came to his hometown with a wife. Their
neighborhood who doesn't know that Leon was married
to a city girl. No one knows what kind of girls is Maria
except for Leon. Will Maria cope living in a province for
the rest of her life?
CONFLICT: Man vs. Himself

Maria is afraid that maybe his father-in-law and Leon’s

family will not accept her as Leon’s wife nor not liking
her.
PLOT:
RISING ACTION
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
RISING ACTION
The rising action of the story was when Baldo took the
road of Waig instead of passing in Camino Real. It was
the wish of the father to go by Waig. They were trying
to test Maria’s characteristics, her attitude, her looks,
how she talks and the way she handle the situation.
PLOT:
CLIMAX
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
CLIMAX
The highest point of the story was when Leon already
brought home Maria as his wife. He introduced Maria
as his wife to his family and especially to his father
hoping they will accept and like Maria for him.
PLOT:
FALLING ACTION
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
FALLING ACTION
The falling action of the story was when Maria passed
they eat or challenges despite of her personality. She
surpassed the trials given to her proving that she is
worth it for Leon as his wife.
PLOT:
DENOUEMENT
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
DENOUEMENT
The denouement of the story was when Baldo cross the
threshold of his father and ask him about Maria.
Afterwards the door opened and Leon and Maria came
in. Baldo went out to water Labang as instructed by his
father. This reflects that love enables Leon and Maria to
go forward whatever struggles may come along the
way. It portrays that accepting one’s life and sacrificing
is necessary in order to be happy.
POINT OF VIEW
THEME
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
POINT OF VIEW
The story was told in a first person point of view since
Baldo was the one narrating.

THEME
To endure journeys, sacrifices are necessary. In order to
achieve success we must be strong enough, show
determination and be patient. In what difficult event or
situation were in, we must be willing to sacrifice or step
out of our comfort zone so that we can learn from our
new experiences and achieve happiness.
MORAL/LESSONS
How m
yBroth
Broug e r Leon
ht H o
me
a Wife
by M
anuel
E. Arg
u illa
MORALS/LESSONS
The central more of the story is the ability to sacrifice
things for people you love. Maria was brought up in a
life of comforts in the city. However, she loved Leon
truly and was committed to adapt to his lifestyle.
She was willing to uproot her entire life and give up her
privileges to settle in a village. She was also loving and
caring towards his family, becoming a part of the family
seamlessly.
MORALS/LESSONS

The story highlights the value of togetherness and

family. It speaks about loving and caring for each other.
This entails and necessitates the ability and willingness
to sacrifice selfish desires or even comforts to make
your loved ones happy.
MORALS/LESSONS
The story praises the ability to adapt to new
circumstances and being positive to change and growth.
It talks about overcoming hardships and fears and
ultimately in finding peace and happiness in each
other’s betterment and well being.
MORALS/LESSONS

Another message of the story is not judging people

based on appearances and giving them space to express
themselves and accept them for their differences. It also
celebrates a conservative and simple lifestyle over
luxurious and ostentatious ways.