THE BOY NAMED CROW (A CRITICAL ANALYSIS)

       A Japanese author and novelist named Haruko Murakami wrote a novel entitled Kafka on the Shore or Umibe no Kafuka in Japanese term. This masterpiece by Murukami was published in 2002 and translated in English language in 2005. Kafka on the Shore in the current time is still well known and its translated version gathered numerous awards and recognition. It was nominated and recognized as one of the 10 Best Books of 2005 by the New York Times and received the World Fantasy Award for 2006. Within this novel, there is an excerpt that highlighted the character of Kafka, The Boy Named Crow. In this excerpt, Haruki Murakami explored the magical realism and led the readers to the metaphysical reality and its relation to dreams, dream of fate and a touch of Shintoism religion in Japan.

       The excerpt revolves to the character of Kafka, a 15 year old boy who wants to escape and run away from his father's house and take a quest to find his mother and sister. The boy named Crow is actually Kafka's alter ego that holds his better and stronger personality and qualities. Crow is his desirable self and introduced in the excerpt as a friend who is talking to him comfortably. He gave Kafka an advice and stated the possible outcomes of his plans and decisions.

        It is noticeable that Haruki Murakami used first person point of view in telling the Kafka on the Shore and its excerpt The Boy Named Crow. He also put his trademark in this novel and excerpt which is stories about families. These observes the Japanese way of writing novels and traditional Japanese literature. The Boy Named Crow gives the readers a chance to interpret the story in many and his or her own ways and can be perceived in a different way through re- reading it. Also, the excerpt contains a metaphor wherein the author compared fate in a sandstorm. This wants to tell that small sandstorms are part of nature. They are random. But if a storm keeps chasing us, maybe, it is more than that. These small sandstorms are meant for us that is why it keeps on chasing us. They will track us down until we accept the things that come in our way and step inside of it. Because these storms are fate that will make us a new person and will reveal who we are and where we are meant to be. The unique way of the author in writing this novel and excerpt made it more appealing and exceptional. It creates a big impact to the lives and perception of the readers in any aspects of life.

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FRAY BOTOD BY GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA

       Fray Botod is a satirical story written by a Filipino writer and revolutionist during the Spaniard occupation, Graciano Lopez Jaena. The Spanish priest was named as Fray Botod because of his fat and big belly. He uses his authority and religion to exploit and abuse the Filipino people and uses his position to satisfy himself with food, money and especially young girls. He neglects his parish duties, pursues gambling, threatens and punishes college students, treats workers barbarously, and generally conducts business in a wholly corrupt fashion. The titular character is very different to the priests of today's society.

      Graciano Lopez Jaena used two literary criticisms to tell his story, the Feminist criticism and Marxist criticism. In the story, it clearly stated the condition of the Filipino women during those time. They were used as an object of sexual desire and treated as pitiful slaves. They were weak, helpless, fragile and vulnerable that led them in a horrendous situation. The writer applied Feminist criticism to give justice to the said part of the story. Marxist criticism was also applied in the story because of how Fray Botod used his power and authority. He overused his position as a priest and do the things that benefits him but causes misery and suffering to others.

       Fray Botod used satire to make it catchy and more appealing to the readers. But within its satiric lines lies a powerful and significant message and lesson. It is metaphor of the abuses of the Catholic church to the Filipino people as part of the Spanish rule in the Philippines. This masterpiece can awaken the burning patriotism of the Filipino people.

         

       

DEAD STARS BY PAZ MARQUES BENITEZ

      Dead stars is a short story written by Paz Marquez Benitez and revolves on the idea of forbidden love. The story's focal point is a man named Alfredo Salazar, a bachelor over thirty who had a trouble with love. He was engaged with Esperanza and became his fiancee for four years. But when Alfredo met and came across Julia in a dinner party, his feelings were changed. The intensity of his love and passion for Esperanza had faded and Julia became the object of his desires. Alfredo choose to continue the wedding with Esperanza because of the circumstances and barriers that may appear if he choose his love for Julia. Eight years later, Alfredo met Julia and was surprised that he was no longer attracted to Julia. He compared the memory of his love for her to Dead Star, whose glow was still visible from the earth for years after they were gone.

       Love is a very strong force. A powerful feeling and emotion. Once a person experience love, it will never be easy for him to find a way out. Like in the situation of Alfredo Salazar, love brought him into a hard decision wherein he needs to decide between the one he wants to choose and the one he needs to choose. Because of the circumstances, barriers and the disdainful eyes of the society, he choose to marry Esperanza and bury his love for Julia in the past. Time heals everything and time fades love.

     This kind of story is timely and relevant to today's society. People in this generation and current time have different perspectives and outlooks about love and way of applying it in their everyday lives. They tend to use the love they feel to get what they want or to contribute something to others and to the society where they belong. Because of love, they also tend to experience sorrow, suffering, and danger. 

     Dead stars symbolizes typical life in a Filipino setting wherein society greatly affects the decision and even the future of one person. This masterpiece gives lessons that can be applied in life and especially in the society.

DALIT (BALATKAYO)

TANAGA (BITUIN)