A Night in the Hills — by Paz Marquez-Benitez

 



The short story entitled “A Night in the Hills” is written by Paz Marquez-Benitez and published in 1925. It is about a man named Gerardo Luna, who works and owns a jewelry store in Manila and secretly wishes to explore the forest, even though he faces health issues and societal expectations. He's attracted to the beauty and calmness of the forest. When he meets Ambo, who gathers orchids, Gerardo feels hopeful about making his dream come true. However, family expectations and social pressures push him to follow what society thinks is normal. Despite wanting to break free, the journey to the forest reveals a conflict between his dreams and his duties. While in the forest, he thinks deeply about life, wanting something more meaningful than his current routine. The story suggests a struggle inside him, torn between what he personally wants and what society expects. It ends with a sense of tension and a crucial moment when he thinks about a question from Peregrina, hinting at a possible life-changing decision.

 

In Gerardo Luna's story, literature is a strong way to show who we are and to really understand others. Gerardo's wish to explore the forest shows his deep inner desires that make him special. His journey, dealing with what people expect and what his family wants, shows the clash between his personal dreams and what others think is right. Readers can relate to Gerardo's struggle, thinking about their own dreams and the pressure to fit in. When Gerardo meets Ambo, who collects orchids, it gives a glimpse of a simpler life close to nature, showing different ways people can live. Gerardo's story tells us to follow our dreams even if society disagrees and reminds us to respect what others want and the problems they go through. In the end, it teaches us to understand all kinds of dreams and appreciate the different paths people choose in life, helping us be more understanding and empathetic toward others.

 

Gerardo Luna's story is valuable for discussions in Seventh-day Adventist schools, even though it has different themes. It gives students a strong basis for thinking critically and reflecting on the complexities of personal dreams and what society expects. Gerardo's effort to find happiness while dealing with societal pressures leads to meaningful discussions about balancing personal dreams and community values, which relates to ethical considerations in SDA teachings. When Gerardo meets Ambo, it shows the importance of appreciating simple, nature-centered ways of living, connecting with SDA principles about taking care of the environment. The story promotes empathy and understanding different perspectives, creating a caring and inclusive community in SDA schools. By looking at Gerardo's struggles, students can think about their own dreams and the ethical choices they face, deepening their understanding of personal identity in SDA settings.

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Assessing the Relevance and Worth of Ideas Presented

Image
  EDUCATED by Tara Westover            This book is a memoir by Tara Westover, recounting her upbringing in a strict Mormon family in rural Idaho. The book chronicles her journey from a childhood without formal education to eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Throughout the memoir, Westover explores themes of family dynamics, the pursuit of knowledge, and the struggle for personal identity. She grapples with the impact of her family's beliefs and upbringing on her own sense of self and the challenges she faces in breaking away from the constraints of her upbringing to forge her own path.         It is a compelling and thought-provoking memoir that offers a profound exploration of family, identity, and the power of education.  Tara Westover's narrative is both raw and eloquent, offering readers an intimate look at her life and the struggles she faced. Her journey from an uneducated child to a highly edu...
Read more

A Stalwart Companionship: Charlottes's Web — by E.B. White

Image
  The book entitled "Charlotte's Web" written by E.B. White, is published in 1952. It is an interesting story about Fern Arable, an eight-year-old girl on a farm. He's the smallest piglet and needs Fern to feed him, making him grow strong. It starts when Fern saves a small pig from being killed, and she names him Wilbur. He's the smallest piglet and needs Fern to feed him, making him grow strong. Even when he moves to Mr. Zuckerman's farm, Wilbur still needs help and wants friends. When he faces the possibility of being Christmas dinner, he feels really sad until Charlotte, a smart barn spider, decides to help him. She writes special messages like "Some Pig" in her web, making people notice and admire Wilbur. With Charlotte's clever plan, Wilbur gets famous and even wins a prize at the county fair, securing his future. The story gets emotional when Charlotte tells Wilbur she's going to die after laying eggs. Despite the sad goodbye, the story...
Read more

Fruit Stall — by Melinda Bobis

Image
  The "Fruit Stall” is a short story written by Melinda Bobis in 1993. It is about a woman that faces the challenge of hiding her Filipino background while managing a fruit stall to avoid discrimination and stereotypes. To fit in with societal norms and combat racism, she pretends to be Spanish or Mexican. The story also touches on the difficulties in her marriage to an Australian man and her family's strong connection to their Filipino heritage, especially her father's dedication to sending fruits back home. Throughout the narrative, she reflects on her ability to adapt to societal expectations. However, a significant encounter with a couple forces her to confront the hidden parts of her identity. This story explores themes of cultural identity, societal expectations, and the ongoing struggle to stay true to oneself while dealing with bias and unfair treatment.               This story adeptly narrates the tale of a Filipina woman contending...
Read more