Consorcio Borje (Philippines)
B I G S I S T E R
Presented by:
1.Pricilla Anak Vincent (2022748457)
2. Ann Sheirly Bulan Anak Gura (2022928345)
3. Anis Afiqah Binti Sulaiman (2022950239)
TSL435- Appreciating Prose 1: World Literatures
Topic Outline
1
Author's Biodata
2
Plot
3
Settings &
POV
4
Characters
6
Themes
5
Literary Devices
7
Burning Issues
8
Personal Response
An Ilocano writer (1912 - 1981).
47 short stories, The Automobile Comes to Town.
Won the 1941 Commonwealth Award for Literature.
His book was never published because WWII came and the manuscript was lost.
Inciang sacrificed a lot for her sibling, that's why this story is entitled this way.
About the author
Place of Birth: Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, in 1911
Consorcio Borje
Summary
Inciang is a loving big sister to her brother Itong, by becoming the mother-figure to Itong after their mother passed away. She raised Itong and takes good care of the family. When it was time for Itong to pursue his study away from home, she found it hard to let him go, but she knew that she would eventually had to, as he is growing up into a teenager and that he is different from when he was younger.
Exposition
Inciang's mother died after giving birth to Itong.
Their father prioritized their farm land more than his own family.
Inciang acted as the 'mother' to the 4 years old Itong.
Inciang got attached to her brother.
Rising Action
Itong was granted a scholarship for becoming a valedictorian in their barrio. He moved to Vigan to pursue his study.
From Vigan, Itong wrote a letter once a month to his family and Inciang read it loudly to her father and Tia Orin.
One year later, Itong returned home.
Aside from his physical change, his attitude towards Inciang also changed.
He was more eager to see his friends than his family.
He also kept secrets from Inciang.
Climax
"What are you writing, Itong?" And Itong had replied, "Nothing, Manang."
(Page 35)
Falling Action
Although Inciang resented Nena for having Itong's attention, she realized that eventhough there are a lot of aches in her heart, she cannot keep her little brother forever young.
"But that night, she knew despite all the ache of her heart, she couldn't keep Itong forever young"
(Page 37, paragraph 2)
Resolution
Inciang accepted the fact Nena has also become an important part of Itong's life.
Inciang felt a comradely spirit towards Nena growing inside her.
"After all, she thought as she gave Nena the pestle, she never had a sister, she would like to see how it was to have a sister"
(Page 37, paragraph 3)
Conflict
Internal (Character vs Self)
Inciang is worried about Itong when he'll be going to Vigan and how her life will not be the same when he's gone from her side. She had been through several sleepless nights thinking about it.
"Inciang was working to send him away, when all she wanted was to keep him always by her side! She spent sleepless nights thinking how Itong would fare in a strange town amidst strange people,..."
(Page 33, paragraph 4)
External (Character vs Character)
Inciang knows that Itong has begun to learn to be secretive towards her. Itong dismisses his sister when she asked him what he is writing. However, she finds a letter in Itong's shirt pocket between him and Nena.
Conflict
Once she asked, "What are you writing about?"
And Itong had replied, "Nothing Manang"
(Page 35)
Ilocos, Philippines (where Inciang's family lives)
Vigan, Philippines (where Itong go to pursue his studies)
Places
- Located in the Northwest of Luzon. Four provinces:
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.
- Capital in the province, Ilocos Sur
Settings
Late 1940s
Use of Tagalog
Time
- America colonised the Philippines (1898 - 1946).
Language
- Manang (older sister), tampipi (chest made of bamboo), centavos (coins).
Settings
Settings
Inciang's house
Vigan (where Itong's high school recited)
Physical
- represents sadness, and struggles of the family - represents the love of a sister for her little brother
- represent changes and happiness felt by Itong
Point of View
First person
Divided between Inciang and Itong's first pov which talks about their life after the passing of their mother.
Third person
The narrator is not one of the characters, hence the usage of (she, her, he...)
- "She watched Itong go through school, ministering..."
- "Inciang was working to send him away, when..."
Major Characters
Inciang or "Manang" Itong
Protagonist.
Caring big sister and a
hardworking, responsible daughter.
Mother-figure to Itong.
A dynamic and round character.
Protagonist.
Inciang's little brother.
Intelligent and educated.
Thoughtful and obedient to elders.
A dynamic and round character.
Page 31, Paragraph 2 & 5 Page 32, Paragraph 8
Minor Characters
Father/ Lacay Iban Tia Orin
Inciang and Itong's father.
Faithful: Never married again after his wife passed away.
Responsible father.
A static character.
Inciang and Itong's aunt.
Helpful aunt.
A static character.
Nena
Itong's girl friend and childhood crush.
Page 33, Paragraph 5 Page 31, Paragraph 3
Page 37, Paragraph 1
Literary Devices
High School
The high school symbolizes the door in raising one's quality of life. Itong was sent to school in the hope that he could change their family's poor condition.
Symbolism
Pages for reference: 36 & 34
Literary Devices
Irony
Verbal Irony
“Is that the way you should act? Why, you’re old now!”
Inciang scolded Itong for crying when they told him that he will be in Vigan for school. Not long after, Inciang's tears fall and she started laughing.
Dramatic Irony
"What are you writing Itong?" "-Nothing, Manang."
Itong started to be secretive with his sister about his life.
He wrote letters to Nena and hid them.
Pages for reference: 32 & 35
Literary Devices
Heart- warming
-Inciang as an older sibling takes good care of her brother since she was very young.
-Itong being a thoughtful brother not wanting to leave his sister for school.
Tone
Mood
Nostalgic
-Inciang realising that Itong has grown up and is no longer the baby brother that she had raised after their mother passed away.
Themes
Love
Inciang‘s love towards her little brother Itong is unmeasurable as we can see how she takes care of him throughout the story. She is like a mother to Itong. Ever since Itong’s a baby, Inciang has been there watching him grow into a fine and educated young man. She even encouraged him to continue pursuing school. Hence we can see that Inciang loves her brother from the bottom of her heart.
Themes
Sacrifices
Inciang sacrifices her future for her family.Instead of becoming a successful woman, she insisted on staying home in order to take care of her father and younger brother after their mother died. We can see this when she mentioned that school would not benefit her in any way. Inciang does not even care if she had to stay home to do all the house chores. All she could think of is Itong’s, hoping that she helped him enough all these years.
Themes
Acceptance of Change
Inciang has to accept the changes in Itong throughout the years. Eventho she feels sad after knowing that Itong has started to keep secret from her but she still love Itong very much. She learn to accept all the changes she saw at Itong everytime Itong is back from Vigan. She realized that she cannot keep Itong forever young and Itong cannot be same boy that Inciang has brought up.
Another situation is how Itong can accept the changes in his life when Itong need to go to Vigan for school.
Burning Issues
The burning issue in the story is the struggle of a young girl named Inciang who has to take on the role of a mother to her younger brother Itong after their mother died after giving birth to him. The story highlights the challenges and sacrifices that Inciang has to make to take care of her brother.
Our
Personal
Response?
for listening!
TH ANK YOU