Critique Paper: Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa
One of the most powerful literary influence in the Philippines, Jose Garcia Villa, wrote a very credible short story denominated Footnote to Youth. Wherein it talks merely about real life scenarios as it emphasizes the youth, responsibilities and marriage.
The story itself is entitled “footnote’’,which means that the note or the message to the reader, specifically to the youth, is found at the very end of the story. That the reader should be the one analyse as to what the story wants to showcase or if the story have more than one valid interpretation. Therefore, the approach used is reader-response approach, as it focuses typically to the readers or the audience of the story.
Marriage in a very young age, especially when you are not ready with the consequences together with it, will give birth to more problems. In the very first part of the story, Dodong a seventeen-year old young boy, was very eager to marry this girl named Teang. So even in the beginning of the story, the author was already giving a clue or idea on what is his story all about — early marriage. On the second paragraph, I was a little bit bothered as to what’s with the worm that it’s actions towards Dodong are so detailed. So I found out, after reading the whole story, that the worm symbolizes Dodong. Innocent, blind and low in class. The author really has a logical mind that even in the smallest things, he can captivate the reader’s mind to give meaning to it. The young man, walked fast with deep thoughts about Teang, to ask the blessing of his father for their marriage. His father asked him “Must you marry Dodong?”, this line, for me, has a very big significance in the story. It only has four words but it says a lot of things. It is like the author itself is asking, “Are you ready to commit with your decisions in life?” or “Do you think you are knowledgeable enough for these actions?” and something like that.
The scenes are partly organized and unorganized. Organized because I have understood mostly the parts of the story. But I am just not sure with the wrong punctuation marks, misspellings and repetition of sentences if those are really intended or just typos. I was a bit confused at the part where the point of view suddenly shifted from Teang to Dodong. Now Teang’s point of view is an another essential of the story. She somehow regretted marrying at a very young age and daydreaming about the past. But I like how the author also exhibited as to what Teang’s realizations are. Indeed, history repeats itself. This has been proved when Blas, one of Dodong’s children, has been fitting his father’s old shoes. Dodong and Teang, married at a very young age, and by this, they might not had enough wisdom to raise their children and ended up full of regrets in life.
The youth is the hope of the motherland. We are our country’s hope. Teenagers nowadays are impulsive and aggressive, whatever they think and feel at the moment, they want to do it right away. This story has been written for our minds to be open on the possible things that can happen if we wouldn't be heedful with our actions. We should think before jumping into big decisions in life and while still young, set priorities in life. Because if a decision is made, be ready to face and accept its consequences.
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