The Woman in the Mirror: Imaging the Filipino Woman in Short Stories In

The Woman in the Mirror: Imaging the Filipino Woman in Short Stories in English by Filipino Woman Authors [PP: 109-124] Veronico Nogales Tarrayo Department of English Faculty of Arts and Letters University of Santo Tomas The Philippines

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History This paper attempted to draw the image of the Filipino woman as The paper received on: depicted by female protagonists in selected short stories in English 17/01/2015 (1925-1986) written by Filipino woman authors. Specifically, the Accepted after peer- paper aimed to answer the following questions: (1) How are female review on: protagonists depicted in the selected short stories written by Filipino 11/02/2015 woman authors? What are their virtues, vices, passions, and struggles?; Published on: 07/03/2015 and (2) What roles do these female protagonists play in the Philippine society? A virtue displayed by the most female characters is having a Keywords: sense of responsibility. Most of the woman characters are passionate in Filipino woman, Filipino preserving their relationship with their loved ones or keeping the peace woman authors, among the family members. The Filipino woman, in the short stories, feminism, short stories has projected varied images which could be categorized as martyr, social victim, homemaker, mother, and fighter. The Filipino woman is a product of her time and milieu – heterogeneous in looks, psyche, and roles in the society.

Suggested Citation: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109- 124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies ISSN: 2308-5460

Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015

1. Introduction: The (Filipino) Woman liberated the woman who has been chained in Question to the kitchen sink for years. It sent her out Much has been written and said about of the home where she was a mere woman. A wide range of opinions and housewife and babysitter. Yes, she still varied reactions about the female of the attends to her domestic chores, but she now species has sprung from every border of has a career to balance her old society. She is man’s friend and foe, responsibilities. Many working mothers personifying calm and chaos. She is an idiot double as government officials, journalists, and a savant, a sinner and a saint (Cañares, social development workers, engineers, and 2005). Yes, she can be contradiction itself, the like. Nowadays, more and more women but there is no denying that her presence take on roles previously perceived for men cannot be ignored. only. The Asian women, according to People are classified in different ways, Francisca Fearon (1989), have now the yet the easiest and oldest way is to freedom to choose their own identities. categorize them into man or woman. Since Obstacles brought by the traditional and the time of Adam, man has enjoyed an closed culture still exist. In this respect, elevated position in the home, in the Fearon (1989) believes that “Asia still trails workplace, and in society while the woman behind the West in accepting women’s has been viewed as a mere housekeeper, equality and femininity as a respectable proud of her man’s success outside the combination” (p. 27). This seems true in home. The woman’s place is the home; the places like Iran, Singapore, Thailand, and man’s place is the board room. The woman China. is thought of as inferior to the man. She Iranian authorities claim that there is no exists “to gratify man, be part of his legal basis for sex discrimination in their conquest and enhance his manhood” country. All citizens have the right to work (Azarcon, 1988, p. 36). in any capacity and in any position. But This perception, elicited and imposed because of patriarchal norms and attitudes, by society, is now debunked by women who women are discouraged from working have become more assertive in articulating outside the home and discriminated against their demands for equality between the sexes when employed (Columbia University and respect for rights they are entitled to. School of Law, 1977). In Singapore, Women valorize themselves by women are regarded as inferior to men exploring their spectrum of values and because of traditional and patriarchal position they occupy in a largely patriarchal attitudes of its people. Thai women are society. The woman is not only a given opportunity to work side by side with domesticated partner of man but someone their men but are still expected to prepare who also carries the noble task of shaping the evening meal and to attend to the and improving humanity. She wants to be children’s needs. Chinese women are still recognized as an intellectual, capable of full tied to the home. To Eoyang (1994), participation in the society where she moves “Women in China have been long suffering; about. She is capable of carrying out they have literally borne the burden of the anything she puts her mind into. country’s patriarchal heritage” (p. 5). A great revolution has also taken place Like most Asian women, the Filipina in some Asian countries. This upheaval supplements and, in many cases, solely Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 110

International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies ISSN: 2308-5460

Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 provides for the family’s needs and yet, in However, in the Philippines, the image spite of her effort, she becomes an unwilling of the Filipino woman has evolved from victim of discrimination. Azarcon (1988) being a bearer of children to becoming the refers to her lot as “double day or dual life bearer of the earth’s fruit as she expands her which implies that housework and childcare activities beyond the household. Thus, man is [sic] a woman’s primary responsibility” has accepted her in the farm, in the office, (p. 20). and in the factory. Focusing on the Filipino The Filipina wife is supposed to enjoy women who play different roles in life’s equal footing with her husband. This was significant activities, Pura Santilllan true before the coming of the Spaniards Castrence (1977), in a speech delivered when she was considered her husband’s before the faculty and the graduate students companion, not his slave (Mananzan, 1997). of the Angeles State University, commented The Filipino woman of pre-Hispanic era that: was a chanter, a priestess, and a warrior. We have shown the Filipina in the sweeping Her predominant role was unquestioned. As scenes of her life as heroine in the story of priestess and healer, she performed ritual her country. We see her now, active in dances and songs during weddings and almost every field of endeavor, in agriculture, funerals. The coming of the Spaniards in industries both as worker and as administrator, in educational institutions, changed all these. The Filipino woman both as teacher and as head in offices, as became silent and docile, hovering over clerks and secretaries but also as managers in kitchen, church, and cradle. Women were hospitals, as doctors, nurses or attendants in treated as secondary citizens. Missionaries high government and in low government acknowledged their intelligence, positions, in foreign service, a chief or practicality, and sensuality; but that was all. helper. She is ubiquitous, and her Women were controlled by their husbands. everywhereness is taken for granted. True, Everything the wife did had to conform to she is still dissatisfied with the inequities the standard of the husband whom she caused by sex discrimination, but she is needed to gratify. In this regard, Mananzan taking these things in stride and continues (1997) rightly points out that “He also fighting for man-woman equality along with her other work. (pp. 16-17) exercised authority over her personal These women concerns are appearance; she should dress in accordance contemporary subject matters in fiction too. to her husband’s wishes” (p. 24). Therefore, this paper is an attempt to But the Filipina wants to revolutionize analyze how the image of the Filipino this negative perception ─ unwanted before woman is mirrored by female protagonists in birth and childhood, wanted as an adult for selected short stories in English (1925-1986) sex, unwanted again as an elderly. So she by Filipino woman authors. Specifically, fights for her own place under the sun. She the study is aimed to answer the following affirms that sex is not a determinant of a questions: (1) How are female protagonists person’s capacity and ability to serve the depicted in the selected short stories written people and to stand as an individual. by Filipino woman authors? What are their Espousing feminism, she wants to “struggle virtues, vices, passions, and struggles? and for equal rights at all levels in the present (2) What roles do these female protagonists socio-cultural system where man enjoys the play in the Philippine society? The dominant role.” (Muñoz, 1992, p. 27) Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 111

International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies ISSN: 2308-5460

Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015

researcher attempted to take a look at the words and actions, as well as through what Filipino women, borrowing the female the other characters say about the writers’ gaze, to present a more authentic protagonist (Barnet, Burto, Cain, & Stubbs, image of themselves as it evolved through 2003). To characterize the female the years. protagonists in the short stories under study, The following short stories, mainly the writer adapted the approach of chosen from the Songs of Ourselves, an characterization devised by Galda and anthology of writings of Filipino women in Cullinan (2002). Such characteristics have English published in 1994 by Edna Z. been classified into virtues possessed, vices Manlapaz, were used in the study. “Dead shown, passions displayed, and struggles Stars,” which is the acknowledged first undergone by the protagonists. English short story written by a Filipino, Table 1: Character analysis of the female was also considered in the analysis. protagonists Protagonist Julia – “Dead Stars” 1. “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez- Benitez Virtue Vice Passion Struggle (1925) * Willingness *Passive * Assurance * Pain caused to sacrifice acceptance of of Alfredo’s by Alfredo’s 2. “The Small Key” by Paz Latorena (1927) her love so the love decision to 3. “Servant Girl” by Estrella Alfon (1937) Alfredo can “inevitable” marry perform his Esperanza out 4. “Maternity Leave” by Ligaya Victorio- duty to marry of moral Reyes (1940) his betrothed obligation * Possession 5. “Magnificence” by Estrella Alfon (1960) of a sense of 6. “Unfinished Story” by Joy T. Dayrit humor and a highly (1979) spirited 7. “Pieces of String” by Tita Lacambra- personality * Has wit and Ayala (1984) tact, sense of 8. “Family Rites” by Rosario Cruz-Lucero propriety (1986) Protagonist Esperanza – “Dead Stars” Virtue Vice Passion Struggle With this background, the paper aimed to * Unwavering * Inability to * Assurance * Husband’s analyze the abovementioned short stories to hope in not fight for her of love from infidelity giving up on love Alfredo * Fear of promote full appreciation of the Filipinas’ losing Alfredo literary works since such (even Alfredo to another contemporary works) are not widely read in woman Philippine literature books. A close analysis Protagonist Soledad – “The Small Key” of the different woman characters in the Virtue Vice Passion Struggle * Sense of * Jealousy * Exertion of * Effacing short stories under consideration surely responsibility over effort to thoughts of reflected the image as well as the reality of *Penchant for memories of preserve the Pedro’s hard work the husband’s relationship deceased wife the Filipino woman. * Calmness in late wife * Ignoring 2. Female Protagonists as Depicted in adversity * Impulsive Pedro’s * Willingness behavior sentimentality the Selected Short Stories to show * Inability to in keeping the endurance express her deceased Characterization is a literary tool used and sacrifice emotions wife’s clothes to describe a person’s physical, moral, Protagonist Rosa – “Servant Girl social, mental, and emotional characteristics. Virtue Vice Passion Struggle * Sense of None * Achieving a * Realizing This is achieved through a careful responsibility better life dream only by understanding of the narrator’s direct * Calmness/ through escaping from description, the protagonist’s thoughts, Patience marriage reality Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 112

International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies ISSN: 2308-5460

Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 despite * Escaping Table 1 presents the character analysis humiliations mistress’s * Courage in physical abuse of the nine female protagonists in the short time of stories under study. Using the coding units danger Protagonist Lucia – “Maternity Leave” (virtues, vices, passions, struggles), the Virtue Vice Passion Struggle profile of each protagonist was carefully * Performing * Despair * Easing the * Fear of examined. hard work over financial financial losing her job * Endurance problems burden of the as a teacher 2.1 Virtues and sacrifice family * Untoward despite life’s * Providing effects of Among the nine female protagonists, six vicissitudes the family taking a displayed the virtue of having a sense of with a more maternity comfortable leave in mid responsibility; four practiced the virtue of life semester love and affection; three characters had the Protagonist The Mother – “Magnificence” Virtue Vice Passion Struggle virtues of hard work, calmness, and * Courage in * Failure to * Protecting *Safeguarding endurance/sacrifice; and two, bravery. protecting her sense right the children her children children from away the evil from danger Other virtues demonstrated were courage, a sex pervert design of of all kinds hope, hospitality, and patience. * Sense of others responsibility 2.2 Vices * Hospitality * Pride over Several female protagonists, under children’s study, were found to be with vices. Soledad achievements was depicted as a jealous wife who, in her Protagonist The Movie House Usherette - “Unfinished Story” failure to verbalize her feelings, resorted to Virtue Vice Passion Struggle doing an act she would later on regret. * Patience to * Engaging in * Finishing * Being Lucia, choosing an easy way out of a wait for the the futile her studies (to clueless about lover to return exercise to become a the lover’s predicament, had an abortion to get rid of an * Hard work wait for the Certified sudden additional mouth to feed. Like most of their * Love and lover who has Public abandonment affection only “used” Accountant) * Uncertainty Oriental sisters, Julia and Esperanza * Sense of her * Love for the about the passively waited for their beloved Alfredo to responsibility boyfriend lover’s return unworthy of to her life choose between them. Neither actually did her affection anything to have herself “win” the Protagonist The Grandmother – “Pieces of String” Virtue Vice Passion Struggle competition. Even the “magnificent” * Love and None * Assuring love * Hopelessness mother failed in the beginning to sense the affection from her son she about the * Sense of hopes to be with possible return evil design of the “helpful” sex pervert. responsibility again of her son Could it be her too-trusting nature that made * Ensuring the welfare of her her so very much like the proverbial Chinese grand-children monkey who “sees no evil”? Then there is Protagonist Linda – “Family Rites” the Pollyanna that is the movie house Virtue Vice Passion Struggle * Love and None * Keeping her * Husband’s usherette. Like the two tramps in Beckett’s affection family together infidelity play, she is not tired of waiting for her * Sense of despite the * Daughter’s responsibility husband’s unappreciative Godot. * Endurance infidelity attitude 2.3 Passions and sacrifice * Developing towards old close practices Three protagonists were passionate in relationship with her their desire to provide the family with a daughter better life, thus, assure the welfare of the children and grandchildren. Five female Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 113

International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies ISSN: 2308-5460

Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 characters did their best to preserve their martyrdom is Linda of “Family Rites” who relationship with their loved ones or keep accepts her husband’s philandering to save the peace among the family members. Other her marriage, thus, preserve the family. passions shared by the female protagonists 3.1.1 Soledad – “The Small Key” were to jump over the other side of the fence Latorena’s “The Small Key” presents where the grass is greener. To them, their Soledad as fitting to a T the image of the passport to this “utopia” is either marriage silently suffering martyr. A martyr freely or a college degree. chooses to bear pain and loss for the sake of 2.4 Struggles a principle or a cause. The endurance of Four of the female protagonists such suffering becomes a heroic and struggled to assuage the pain of the virtuous act. A situation in the story points husband’s/lover’s infidelity or abandonment this out. by a loved one. Others tried to stop With deliberate care he untied the knot, and, detaching the big key, dropped the small one themselves from being hopelessly romantic back into his pocket. She watched him and physically abused. Another feared fixedly as he did this. The smile left her face losing her job as a teacher for taking a and a strange look came into her eyes as she maternity leave in mid semester. An took the big key from him without a word. unnamed mother showed her tenacity in Together they left the dining room. safeguarding her children from a sexual One readily notices something pervert. bothering her, yet she chooses to keep it to 3. Roles Played by the Female herself. Her husband, though unaware of Protagonists in the Philippine society her feelings, notices the way she looks. The Filipino woman, mirrored by the female “You look pale and tired,” he remarked protagonists in the short stories under study, softly. “What have you been doing all morning?” plays different societal roles as martyr, “Nothing,” she said listlessly, “but the heat social victim, homemaker, mother, and gives me a headache.” fighter. Pedro is worried though Soledad says she is 3.1 The Filipino Woman as a Martyr fine. He will ask Tia Maria to check on her Martyrdom has a compelling power because while he is away. of its psychological implications. Powerless Unable to verbalize her overpowering in a society, where men make choices for jealousy of her husband’s deceased first her, the woman affirms her strength by wife, Soledad burns the woman’s clothes enduring her pain and her loss. Four of the that Pedro still keeps. This made her sick female protagonists in the selected short afterward. Jealous and insecure, Soledad stories are martyrs who take up their crosses finally gives in to her unarticulated to the altar of self-abnegation. Soledad of heartaches. Soledad’s fever is “The Small Key,” victim of the green-eyed psychosomatic, indicative of her guilt and monster, cries by herself, unsure of her her fear. Burning the first wife’s clothes is husband’s love. Lucia of “Maternity Leave” an act of survival on her part but one which decides to abort the baby she can no longer risks earning the ire and displeasure of her provide for. To wait in vain for her lover is husband. the lot of the protagonist of “Unfinished A cow that had strayed by looked over her Story.” The last one to take the trek to shoulder with a round vague inquiry and Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 114

International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies ISSN: 2308-5460

Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015

went on chewing her cud, blissfully unaware degree. After her job, she helps him type of such things as a gnawing fear in the heart the play he is working on. of a woman and a still smouldering After work I help Dante with his play. I type resentment in a man’s. it out for him on his rented Olivetti, using 3.1.2 Lucia – “Maternity Leave” two or three fingers from one hand while An underpaid public school teacher, resting my head on the other. Tired from Lucia does not know how to cope with the work I type slowly… difficulties of another maternity leave. First, When the play is finished, Dante has there are bills to take care of. Second, the suddenly become taciturn. He gives his third child is just six months old. Third, she girlfriend the cold shoulder treatment though might not be able to return to school to the latter tries hard to get his attention  teach. Fourth, four months without any narrating to him what to her are interesting salary is really devastating. She refuses to things she encounters every day. Dante tell her husband, Dading, of her pregnancy, sometimes listens, but often, he shows no for she cares so much about him that she interest in her rattling. In time, he begins to wants to spare him from worrying. She does go out evenings to a bookstore or for a walk. not feel happiness or excitement over the Then, he fails to come home leaving her new life inside her womb, yet she has only his suitcase. A pathetically hopeless chosen to carry the burden alone. She romantic, she convinces herself that Dante decides to abort her baby to free herself of will one day come back. all the anxieties of another maternity leave. At work the next day I load fresh batteries All other considerations vanished from her into my flashlight and in the dark flash it mind. It was so easy, once one had arrived at brightly against my palm, fingers, knuckles, a decision. She was going to be free from a and blindly into the loge people’s faces until whole year of worry. No need to tell Dading. they squint… Guiding a lone man to his seat This was going to be simple. I flash a light short of a step up and he trips. Lucia is the masochistic female who Ursula visits my station to bring me cheer. I chooses to suffer with nary a complaint than tell her that Dante had brought with him my burden her husband with the thought of suitcase instead of his. Mine is of straw and raising another child. his, of leather, and Ursula convinces me of Dante’s thoughtfulness: It was a gift, don’t Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil (1999) you see? I tell her that he also did not bring blames the Maria Clara syndrome for this the burner, the chair, and some books on the masochism of the Filipino woman. She desk. Ursula convinces me, before she says: hurries back to her station at the orchestra, it But the most unfortunate of all of Maria means nothing else but Dante will come Clara’s legacies was the masochist attitude. home one day. Because of Maria Clara, millions of Filipinas 3.1.4 Linda – “Family Rites” learned to enjoy suffering and humiliation. Rosario Cruz-Lucero’s protagonist, They took up their crosses and followed her Linda, is expected to accept her husband’s to the apotheosis of romantic sanctification. extramarital affairs because hers is the 3.1.3 The Movie House Usherette - responsibility of keeping the marriage intact. “Unfinished Story” She has chosen to stay with her husband The usherette in a movie house is another though they have a lot of incompatibilities martyr. Dante, her live-in partner is writing and misunderstandings. She chooses to play a play, a major requirement of his university the aggrieved wife for the sake of her child Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 115

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Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 who must not grow up in a broken home. In she be the cynosure of gossip if dropped like the Philippines, it is common for a man to a hot potato by her long-time sweetheart. have a mistress or even a collection of Yet, Alfredo finds that his thoughts of women. It becomes his badge of machismo Julia are affecting his relationship with his and virility. On the other hand, Filipino wife. He may have been kind, gentle, and culture does not give the woman the same even tender to her, but he remains leeway because she is expected to be “loyal immeasurably far away, beyond her reach. to the end” to the only man in her life He, thus, becomes a stranger to his wife, a (Profile of a Filipino, 1996). fact which Esperanza painfully accepts. All these four protagonists show the Similarly, Julia is a victim of Alfredo’s Filipino woman as a martyr who takes tradition-dictated choice. Although Alfredo refuge in the adage that “ignorance is bliss.” loves her better, he gives her up without Bob Garon (2007) describes what a martyr even putting up a fight to win her. is like: “Dead Stars” depicts two women who If you are a martyr, there is a good chance find themselves feeling empty, bereft of that you are into avoidance and evasion. You light like dead stars turning into black holes avoid conflict as much as possible even if it in the firmament of the heavens. means a lot of personal sufferings. Perhaps 3.2.2 Rosa - “Servant Girl” you know your husband is going out with Rosa is twice-over a victim of society. women of the night, but you remain quiet Her being a woman and her being poor are about it. And when your friends tell you about it, you dance around the issue instead the culprits responsible for this condition. of meeting it head on. She is forced by economic hardship to work 3.2 The Filipino Woman as a Social as a helper to an abusive mistress. Victim Subjected to sexual harassment by the muscular Sancho, she is even more Four of the seven female protagonists in vulnerable to fantasizing the gentle cochero the selected short stories can be considered who has twice rescued her from the bully social victims ─ Rosa of “Servant Girl,” like the medieval knight in shining armor Lucia of “Maternity Leave,” and Esperanza (complete with the horse, albeit attached to and Julia of “Dead Stars.” the kalesa). Since the day Rosa met Angel, 3.2.1 Esperanza and Julia - “Dead she has thought of him without fail. Stars” Now, in the days that followed, she thought Esperanza and Julia are victims of a of him, the way he had wound an arm around society that imposes its will on the helpless her knees and carried her like a little girl. followers of its established conventions. She dreamed about the gentleness of his Concerned with the demands of his social fingers. She smiled remembering the way he status, Alfredo is forced to marry Esperanza had laid out the clothes on the stones to to whom he has long been betrothed. So as bleach. She knew that meant he must do his not to bring “dishonor” to his and his own washing. And she ached in tenderness fiancée’s families, he “dumps” Julia Salas, over him and his need for a woman like her who quietly accepts Alfredo’s decision. to do such things for him, things like mending the straight tear she had noticed at Esperanza, too, has to act out her part in the knee of his trousers when her foot had this charade. Marry Alfredo she must, lest rested on them; like measuring his tartanilla seat cushions for him, and making them, and Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 116

International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies ISSN: 2308-5460

Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015

fitting them on the seat pads… In her three in the morning to give her young a thoughts, she spoke to him and he always bottle of milk, washes the baby’s soiled answered. clothes, and changes the diapers. Unlike before, Rosa is not irritated “Maternity Leave” was written during anymore whenever the women at the the Japanese period when teachers’ bathhouse tease her about Sancho. She just maternity leave was without pay. Victorio gives them a smile and thinks of Angel, (the author), who is a teacher herself; makes “picking her up and being gentle with her.” Lucia represent the exploited teachers of a Rosa lives a miserable life as a servant bureaucracy that punishes a teacher who being battered and endlessly nagged by an dares to have a kid in mid semester. During alcoholic mistress. Unable to bear her World War II, strict policies for permanency suffering, Rosa decides to run away. On the forced a woman to sacrifice her sixty-peso road, she meets Angel who will fulfill her salary for a maternity leave. Even her dream of happiness. Rosa undergoes an fellow teachers have been judgmental in awakening of sort when she realizes that her saying that “she is too old for that,” that cochero does not even remember her, and being pregnant at 38 is embarrassing. In that his name is not Angel. This second some ways, Lucia is bitter because of the encounter with her “hero” makes Rosa things she cannot buy for herself. Her resigned to her lot in life. Thus, she is found telling “If I were in your place I’d live in back in the house of her cruel mistress, housecoats and have a dozen babies” shows “forgetting all her vows about never the grudge she feels over life’s unfairness to stepping into it again.” poor mothers like her. Rosa represents a woman aspiring for a In the Philippines, women fill a large better life, which can only be achieved with portion of the teaching profession. Public the help of a man. The ignorant servant girl school teachers, particularly, are ironically clings to her romantic notions of an ideal employed by their class enemies: the man, an imaginary romantic world where government and the education capitalists. her “savior” literally sweeps her off her feet. The government, as the largest employer of But in the end, the “better life” offered by a teachers in the country, pays them very low man crumbled. wages. The sad thing is that they are made Nelly Stromquist (1998) says that this to do a thousand-and-one jobs not directly dream is shared by many women in related to their work – presiding over village developing countries: meetings, dancing at the Manila …in many developing countries, girls marry International Airport when the President at a young age and generally to older men, arrives, shepherding their children through which ensures the wives’ subordination to the streets as they wave their hands, flags, their husbands since these young wives are usually less educated and thus less able to flowers, and the like. generate an independent or substantial 3.3 The Filipino Woman as a Homemaker income. Women are often relegated to the role of 3.2.3 Lucia - “Maternity Leave” housekeepers in society. It is their primary Only a mother is privileged to duty to satisfy the needs of their families. experience the pain of tearing flesh in the “Implicit in this advice is the notion that by delivery room. After that, she works hard to keeping a clean, neat, pious home and filling buy a box of powdered milk, wakes up at it with warmth and inviting smells, women Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 117

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Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 are achieving their highest calling” (Austine, tomatoes or vinegar. Even after she tries to n.d., para 8). Two of the nine female run away from her cruel mistress, she still protagonists in the short stories under study comes back to do the tasks she regularly are unadulterated housekeepers – Soledad of performs  “… turn on the light in the “The Small Key” and Rosa of “Servant kitchen, and hum over the preparation for a Girl.” meal.” But her sluggish movement is quite 3.3.1 Soledad - “The Small Key” noticeable. For instance, “Rosa was The traditional view of a woman’s role scrubbing the clothes, she was washing in the family as a housekeeper is typified by slowly. She went her slow way with the Soledad. She is a good wife to Pedro whom can.” she calls Indo. She stays at home, doing all Traditionally, rural and tribal women do the household chores while her husband all the work. Their functions include attends to the plow fields. Several situations cooking, cleaning, teaching the children, in the story depict Soledad as a homemaker. washing clothes, doing repairs, budgeting, First is when she asks for Pedro’s newly and managing the farm. After the husband ironed clothes that need darning. has finished tilling the farmland, the wife “Where are the shirts I ironed yesterday?” does the planting, the daily maintenance, the she asked as she approached the table. carrying of water, and the harvesting. “In my trunk, I think,” he answered. Normally, the husband helps in the “Some of them need darning,” and observing harvesting, but the tribal woman is the empty plate she added, “Do you want responsible for finding food for the family. more rice?” Another situation shows Soledad as an She also acts as the mediator between her impeccable housekeeper who keeps a spotless children and her husband. She manages kitchen. practically everything, but she does not have Tia Maria was nowhere to be seen, but that control over finances or in decision making. did not bother him for it was Sunday and the Rosa is like those rural and tribal work in the south field was finished. women who do all the work. She would be However, he missed the pleasant aroma seen “scrubbing the clothes she was which came from the kitchen every time he washing” and “gathering the clothes she had woke up early in the morning. to bleach,” “she took the can from the The kitchen looked neat but cheerless, and kitchen table to fetch drinking water,” “she an immediate search for wood brought no would sweep the yard or trim the scraggly results. Soledad’s playing to the hilt her role as edge of viola bushes;” or “she would loiter an efficient housekeeper and solicitous wife on an errand for tomatoes and vinegar,” and has been repeatedly shown in the story. She “… she hummed over her preparations for a caters to Pedro’s needs serving him like a meal.” Like a typical housekeeper and wife, master and pleasing him with a house that is Rosa does all the household chores not for clean and warm. her family but for her mistress. The only difference is that Rosa is paid for her service 3.3.2 Rosa - “Servant Girl” Rosa, the domesticated housekeeper, is while a traditional wife who does the same good in doing her chores. She sweeps the household works does not earn a penny for yard or trims the scraggly hedge of viola her services. Neither are traditional bushes; or she loiters on an errand for housekeepers’ subjects to nagging mistresses; although, at times, they suffer Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 118

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Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 from their own husbands in ways more than and our strength in weakness. “She is the one. source of love, mercy, sympathy, and Filipino women find pride in their work. forgiveness” sums up Kahlil Gibran’s They do not find themselves alienated from description of a mother, who is the source of their chores because they work with, around, everything. Mothers are usually considered and for their families. This family-oriented the light and manager of the household mindset gives them a sense of dignity and while fathers are the providers in the family. responsibility. The family and the children A mother satisfies the child’s needs for are the priorities in a Filipino woman’s list. physical, intellectual, and emotional security Cynthia Nolasco (n.d. as cited in and development. The mother in the story Mananzan, 1991) in her essay “The woman takes good care of her family and performs problem: Gender, class and state her duties well. She wisely divides her time oppression,” points out: between her duties as president of the Our cultural values exert extreme pressure on neighborhood association and her family. the woman to keep her from active In the story, the mother supervises her participation in the world affairs putting her children in studying their lessons. to “where she belongs” – the home. The vast Concerned with their intellectual majority of the world’s women, including development, she accepts Vicente’s offer of Filipino women, play three major functions: tutoring her children. Like most mothers, first, child bearing; second, childrearing; third, housekeeping. (p. 80) she wants what is best for her children; she 3.4 The Filipino Woman as a Mother wants them to grow up as fine and well- respected individuals. The mother, in her Four of the nine female protagonists are desire to provide emotional and social mothers – Lucia of “Maternity Leave”, the development to her children, lets them mother in “Magnificence”, Linda of “Family interact with other people like Vicente. Rites”, and the grandmother in “Pieces of The mother is responsible for String.” disciplining the children; thus, she gets the 3.4.1 Lucia - “Maternity Leave” credits when they grow up to be good In the Philippines, it is very easy to tell members of the community. Upon learning whether a woman is a mother or not. If her that her children are being complimented by skin sags with weariness, rushes home to other people, the mother can only be proud cook, she is on the heavy side, she spends of their achievements. A mother wants to be her salary on the kids, then chances are, she acknowledged for instilling worthwhile is that noble creature called “mother.” cultural values to her children; hence, in the Filipino mothers are devoted to their story; the trait of “pakikisama” is displayed families. Lucia represents the typical mother by the mother. Filipinos are known for their who would give herself wholly for her ability to get along with others. Although children. Lucia would rather see her child Vicente is a stranger to the family, they trust unborn than watch him or her suffer the him right away, especially the children. misfortunes of life. Nothing matters to her “Pakikisama” also involves helping people. than to see her children live comfortably. Like the man saying- “I have nothing to do 3.4.2 The Mother - “Magnificence” in the evenings, let me help them.” Helping “The mother is everything ─ she is our others they hardly know is a custom among consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery,

Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 119

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Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 the Filipinos who are described as friendly away, a sad lonely, disembodied sound. and warm. Drowsily, she realized she was dreaming, her The mother serves as a role model to pillow completely dry, like her eyes. Rex lay her children. She is the spring of knowledge on top of her, snoring gently into her ear, on household and family matters; that is having just expelled one last shuddering breath. And she was fenced in, safe and snug why, it is important for her to show good under his weight. But the sound came, examples. After the mother has seen what insistently; and suddenly, now wide awake, Vicente is doing with her daughter, “…she she knew the sobbing was coming from stood there saying nothing… She was going Chris’ room. to open her mouth but glanced at the boy Very carefully, she eased off Rex’s and closed it, and with the look and weight and went to Chris, who lay in a corner inclination of the head, she bade Vicente go of the bed in one, desolate, spasmodic heap. upstairs…” She controls herself, concealing Silently, knowing the futility of asking why, her anger seeing that her son is present. She Linda lay and put an arm around her, does not want to create a scandal in the stroking her hair, the way Chris used to let neighborhood. her, years ago it seemed. And Chris linked her hands around Linda’s neck and wept, 3.4.3 Linda - “Family Rites” unable to contain the hormones that wrought Linda is a full-time housewife who havoc on her moods. Linda felt solace in spends her waking hours in taking care of Chris’ touch, to be held so close like this, not her daughter Chris and doing the household as prologue or epilogue to sex, but just to be chores. Being superstitious, she passes on held like this. Again, she felt that their roles old practices to her daughter who frowns had become reversed. With a vague sense of upon them. Desiring to help her daughter both guilt and release, Linda realized, at that breeze through the rite of womanhood, she moment, that she didn’t miss Rex’s weight tells Chris to clean her face with the washing on her at all. from her underwear to prevent having Unaware of her strength, Linda pimples. However, smart Chris knows what manages to keep her family together in spite is happening to her body and refuses to of the scar caused by Rex’s infidelity. Jose follow her mother’s advice. Feeling that J. Reyes (1986) gives us a soap-opera their roles are reversed, Linda resents her woman character parallel to Linda: daughter’s telling her what she has learned As a soap opera mother, the Filipina is a from school about menstruation. being of saintly understanding and unwavering heroism. The mother who Linda, who was once idealistic about becomes laundrywoman, household servant, love, has turned cynical since her husband’s or a market vendor is more endearing than betrayal of her trust. Although she longs for one who sits behind an office desk. (p.230) love and affection, she has refused Rex’s Viewing feminine roles in most amorous advances after she discovered his societies, Parsons and Bales (n.d. as cited in infidelity. But one evening, she voluntarily Stromquist, 1998) link motherhood and gives herself to him. She is emotionally domestic or family sphere to women. The dependent on her husband, but try she must family is the pillar of society, and women to divert her attention to her daughter. are the agents responsible for its efficient She was weeping, her tears drenching the functioning-taking care of children, spouse, pillow beneath her. But the sound of sobbing and household management. The family is a wafted into the bedroom from somewhere far solidarity unit which necessitates the woman Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 120

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Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 not to have an occupational role outside the is an innate, biological determinant shared home to avoid conflict and to provide with other female animals, was readily psychological security to all family incorporated into the early doctrines of members. Women are more predisposed psychology” (p.15). toward caring for others. Mothers, young or old, are willing to 3.4.4 Grandmother - “Pieces of String” give the best that they could to their children Grandmothers end up nurturing and raising and their progenies. their grandchildren. When a woman 3.5 The Filipino Woman as a Fighter becomes a grandmother, she desires to Of the nine female protagonists, three undertake the nitty-gritty aspects of baby show courage and bravery – Rosa in care again; she does the work at home, and “Servant Girl”, the mother in she makes herself an integral part of the “Magnificence”, and the usherette in family. Williams (1976) points out: “Unfinished Story.” “Women’s place is in the home, fashioning 3.5.1 Rosa - “Servant Girl” it into a clean, comfortable, attractive place Let not Rosa’s return to the kitchen where good food is served, order is make us conclude that she has trapped maintained and the personal needs of the herself in a corner. On the contrary, her occupants are met” (p. 287). going back to her mistress’s house is a In the story, the grandmother is in the deliberate and courageous decision twilight of her life, “Her head is gray, seems motivated by the realization that her servant grayer even in the quieter hours of the position is the better option. Although her night.” She takes care of her grandchildren. mistress is abusive, she is totally dependent She tells them what to do and what to avoid, on Rosa. So, Rosa wields more power and and scolds them when needed. She prepares enjoys more freedom under this arrangement cookies for them. She sells crochet items than she is likely to have with Sancho, the which she makes so she will not be a burden chauvinist bully. Further, Rosa proves that to the family. Her affection and love for the she is neither the meek-as-a-lamb nor family members are shown when she docile-as-Maria-Clara type of a girl. She embroiders pillows, hand-hems pocket fights back at her “attackers”– hitting both handkerchiefs and sews a pair of striped Sancho and Pedro (or is it Pedro’s horse?) cotton pajamas with the initials of her when ill-treated. dearest son, George, who is in the United 3.5.2 The Mother - “Magnificence” States. Although it seems that her son Although initially the mother trusts prioritizes his wife more than his mother, Vicente and accepts his offer of tutoring the still the latter shows the genuine ardor of a children, she is not a total fool. It is mother’s love. probably her woman’s intuition that makes Grandmothers, even in their old age, her observe and watch Vicente. A mother still nurture the nature of motherhood. provides her children a safe and loving Although they may be separated from their environment. “…But I have watched him offspring who leave the grandchildren to her with the children, and he seems to dote on care, they never complain. This is them…” The mother tells the father. The emphasized by Williams (1976): “the latter seems not to have any opinion about concept of maternal instinct, which Vicente, thus, suggesting that the mother is maintains that women’s nurturing behavior more perceptive in harboring her suspicions. Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 121

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Sara Ruddick (1999) points out in her book The usherette continuously tries to Maternal thinking that a mother establishes overcome the difficulties she experiences by criteria for the truth, adequacy, and working arduously to make her life better. relevance of proposed answers; and she This is the reason why she patiently works cares about the findings she can act on. in a movie house for her necessities. As a Mothers are so protective that they want self-supporting student, she strives hard to to secure their children from all the harms in arm herself with a college degree. Part of the world. They desire to provide a no-fear, the sacrifice she has to make is enduring the no-threat, no-verbal abuse environment to boredom of work because anyway, the their offspring. With dignity, the mother salary she gets from it will pay for the rent slapped Vicente several times in the face of her room, food, and her Friday night until he, cowed, goes out of the house. This mathematics course. She is aware that she shows the mother’s authority over people cannot get a better job unless she finishes who will take advantage of her children’s college because “women with a college innocence. She turns into a lioness ready to education are more likely to be employed defend her family’s dignity. The mother’s than women who have not attended college” shining moment is etched in the daughter’s (William, 1976). mind since she has been a witness to her She tries to be the best girlfriend that magnificence in the face of adversity. The she could ever be by supporting her man and mother who tucks her children in bed, who being helpful to him. Tired from work, she tells them stories at night, and who gives manages to help her boyfriend in his thesis. them incessant advice, also protects them Thus, she says without any complaint, when danger calls. “After work I help Dante with his play. I 3.5.3 The Movie Usherette - “Unfinished type it out for him on his rented Olivetti, Story” using two or three fingers from one hand Women are usually perceived as weak, while resting my head on the other. Tired dependent, and submissive to men. from work I type slowly.” She also cooks However, the female protagonist in for him and attends to his other needs. “Unfinished Story” possesses an aura of Her strong personality prevents her superiority. “I have power over the loge from crying when Dante left her. Mourning people – I let them do or not do and guide over him is something she will not do in them well or not.” She has a character so public. Although hurt, she remains strong that she manages to look well despite composed, not letting the matter bring her her inner turmoil. “You don’t look like an down. She continues working as an usherette, he said. I am out of uniform, I usherette and goes on with her life, said.” This female protagonist does not optimistic that Dante will one day come appear as pitiful as that of her lover’s female back. “It means nothing else but that Dante character in a play he is writing. Actually, will come home one day,” she often quips. she thinks that Dante’s character is pathetic This fighter of a woman does not let the and thus she muses, “She is about to begin challenges she faces affect her spirits. She her fourth pathetic adventure.” In the will not look miserable, but hold her head up protagonist’s mind, she is different from that high because she expects that at the end of spineless female character. the day, her hard work will pay off. Never will she let a sad event in her life ruin it Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 122

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Volume: 03 Issue: 01 January-March, 2015 entirely. Obviously, she is unhappy because traditionally coy Maria Clara to the modern her loved one has left her without a ‘why’ or Filipina who is daring and committed to her a ‘wherefore.’ Despite her lover’s vanishing endeavors. into thin air, she remains hopeful of his In his foreword to Filipina I, “a book return. Indeed, hope springs eternal in the exclusively by women, but of and for human breast. women and men”, Nick Joaquin (1984) 4. Conclusion writes: Based on the analysis, a virtue displayed … to the Filipino home , which may be said to be a house without private rooms for by most female characters is having a sense anybody, male or female. We live in houses of responsibility. Six are identified with of a single chamber, every space in it vices-a passive woman who accepts the common to everybody in the family and “inevitable,” a woman who is unable to fight within that space no doors are locked. No for her love, a jealous wife, a mother who is more than her brother does the average in despair over financial problem, a mother Filipina ever hope to enjoy, whether as child who fails to sense right away the evil design or as adult, a room she can call her own. of others, and a movie usherette who Noted feminist writer Virginia Woolf engages in the futile exercise of waiting for exhorts every woman to have a “room of her the lover who has only “used” her. Most of own.” But does the Filipina enjoy this the woman characters are passionate in luxury? preserving their relationship with their loved About the Author ones or keeping the peace among the family Veronico Nogales Tarrayo teaches at the members. Different struggles in life are Department of English, Faculty of Arts and undergone by the female characters like Letters of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), assuaging the pain of the husband’s or the Philippines. He holds a Master of Arts in man’s infidelity, abandonment by the loved Language Teaching degree and is currently one, trying to stop themselves from being taking his Ph.D. in English Language Studies at hopelessly romantic, physical abuse, losing UST. His research interests include Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL), critical a job after taking an ill-timed maternity discourse analysis (CDA), gender and language, leave, and safeguarding the children from a intercultural communication, and women’s sexual pervert. literature. He has recently published research The Filipino woman in the short stories articles in the International Journal of English has projected varied images which could be Language and Translation Studies, i-manager’s categorized as martyr, social victim, Journal on English Language Teaching, and homemaker, mother, and fighter. In International of Journal of Language and addition, the Filipino woman is a composite Literature. At present, he is an editorial board character who exhibits both desirable and member of the Asian Journal of English undesirable traits and is a product of her Language Studies, the official journal of the time and milieu – heterogeneous in looks, UST Department of English. psyche, and roles in the society. Varied References factors, such as socioeconomic and political Austine, C. (n.d.). Women’s role in society conditions as well as personal ambition, can book notes: Ungodly women. Retrived from greatly influence the change of image the http://atheism.about.com/bla/196551.htm Azarcon, P. (1988). Images of women in Filipino woman can undergo. The Filipino Philippine media. Manila: Asian Social Institute. woman also has evolved from the Cite this article as: Tarrayo, V.N. (2015). The woman in the mirror: Imaging the Filipino woman in short stories in English by Filipino woman authors. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 3(1), 109-124. Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 123

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Barnet, S., Burto, W., Cain, W.E., & Stubbs, Joaquin, N. (1984). Foreword. Filipina I: M. (2003). Literature for composition (essays, Poetry, drama, fiction, women writers in media fiction, poetry, and drama) (6th Ed.). New York: (WOMEN). New Day. Longman. Mananzan, M. et al. (1991). Essays on women. Cañares, M. F. (2005). Desire and dissent in Manila: Institute of Women Studies. female poetic discourse: Filipino women writing Mananzan, M. J. (1997). The women question in English from the Commonwealth period to in the Philippines. Manila: Institute of Women the present. PUP Journal of Research and Studies. Exposition, 2(2), 45-56. Manlapaz. E. Z. (1994). Songs of ourselves– Castrence, P. S. (1977). The changing role of Writings by Filipino women in English. Pasig: the Filipino women in a changing society. ALF Anvil Publishing Inc. Research Journal, 10(1), 6-17. Muñoz, M. J. (1992). Feminism and the Columbia University School of Law. (1977). Christian values. Life Today, 27. Law and the status of women. United Nations: Nakpil, C. G. (1999). Woman enough and other Columbia University School of Law. essays. Quezon City: Ateneo Press. Eoyang, E. (1994). Echo and shadow: Images of Profile of a Filipino. (1996). Living in the women in traditional China. Asian Culture, Philippines. Retrieved from 22(2), 5-14. http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/philcultu Fearon, F. (1989). New Asian woman. In P.M. re/profile_of_a_Filipino.html Villanueva (Ed.), English skills for college Reyes, J.J. (1986). Radio soap opera. Philippine freshman. Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co. mass media: A book of readings. Manila: Inc. Commercial Foundation for Asia. Galda, L., & Cullinan, B. E. (2002). Literature Ruddick, S. (1999). Maternal thinking. Marilyn and the child. Australia: Thomas Learning Pearsall. Incorporated. Stromquist, N.P., & Monkman, K. (1998). Garon, B. (2007). The difference between a Women in the third world–An encyclopedia of martyr and a strong woman. The Manila Times. contemporary issues. New York: Garland Retrieved from Publishing, Inc. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/jan/1 Williams, J. H. (1976). Psychology of women: 3/yehey/life/20070113lif6.html Behavior in a biosocial context. Springfield, Massachusetts: Campbell Publishing, Inc.