The Chieftest Mourner
Summary
TLDRIn this report, Mark JovANJITJOVILLO discusses Ida Rivera Ford's 'The Chief Test Mourner,' a story reflecting on Ford's life as a renowned Filipino literary author. The narrative centers on Denise, who navigates the complex relationships between her uncle, a poet, his legal wife, and his mistress. Set against the backdrop of the poet's funeral, the story explores themes of unconditional love, societal norms, and cultural influences. The characters' interactions and the setting highlight wealth, Spanish influence, and the struggle for recognition between the two women. The report concludes with a reflection on the moral lesson of acceptance and the true measure of love, prompting viewers to consider who the chief mourner truly is.
Takeaways
- 📚 Ida Rivera Ford, born on January 22, 1926, was a renowned Filipina literary author known for her works in poetry, essays, and short stories.
- 🎓 Ford graduated with an AB English degree, cum laude, from Silliman University in 1949 and earned a master's degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan in 1954 through a Fulbright grant.
- 🏡 In 1958, she married Donald Ford, and they had a son. She also founded the Learning Center of the Arts in Davao City, which was later renamed Ford Academy of the Arts.
- 📖 'The Chief Test Mourner' is a notable short story by Ford, which won the Jules and Ivory Hopwood Award for Fiction in 1954 and is a staple in many Philippine literature books.
- 👤 The story's characters include Denise, who is the narrator and niece of the deceased poet; Aunt Sophia, the poet's legal wife; and Essa, the poet's mistress.
- 🏰 The setting of the story primarily takes place at the poet's funeral, highlighting the social status and wealth of the characters through descriptions of the chapel and the use of the Spanish language.
- 👀 The story is narrated from the first-person perspective, allowing the reader to experience the rivalry and conflict between the legal wife and the mistress.
- 🌟 The plot revolves around the funeral of the poet, where the two women claim to be the rightful widow, leading to a public display of their claims and sacrifices.
- 💔 The main conflict in the story is the feud between the two women over who deserves to be recognized as the widow and to take possession of the poet's legacy.
- 🌹 Symbolism is used effectively in the story, with Aunt Sophia's black and white attire symbolizing shallow sympathy, and Essa's dramatic black outfit representing her deep love and grief.
- 💡 The moral lesson of the story is about acceptance in love and relationships, suggesting that true love is not always defined by legal or societal norms but by the sacrifices and support offered during difficult times.
Q & A
Who is the author of the story 'The Chief Test Mourner'?
-Ida Rivera Ford is the author of the story 'The Chief Test Mourner'.
What significant educational achievement did Ida Rivera Ford accomplish in 1949?
-In 1949, Ida Rivera Ford graduated as laude with her degree of AB English from Silliman University, Negros Occidental.
How did Ida Rivera Ford acquire her master's degree in English Language and Literature?
-Ida Rivera Ford acquired her master's degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan through the Fulbright grant in 1954.
What award did Ida Rivera Ford win for her fiction writing?
-Ida Rivera Ford won the Jules and Ivory Hopwood Award for fiction in 1954.
What institution did Ida Rivera Ford establish in Davao City in 1980?
-In 1980, Ida Rivera Ford founded the Learning Center of the Arts in Davao City, which was the first college of fine arts in Mindanao.
Who is the main character and narrator of the story 'The Chief Test Mourner'?
-The main character and narrator of the story 'The Chief Test Mourner' is Denise, who is also the author herself.
What is the setting of the story 'The Chief Test Mourner'?
-The setting of the story 'The Chief Test Mourner' predominantly takes place in the funeral of the poet at the chapel.
What is the main conflict in the story 'The Chief Test Mourner'?
-The main conflict in the story 'The Chief Test Mourner' is the feud between the poet's legal wife and his mistress, over who deserves to be called the widow and take possession.
What themes are explored in the story 'The Chief Test Mourner'?
-The themes explored in the story 'The Chief Test Mourner' include unconditional love, sacrificial societal setup, Spanish influence, and acceptance.
How does the author use symbolism in 'The Chief Test Mourner'?
-The author uses multiple symbols in 'The Chief Test Mourner', such as Sophia's black and white clothes symbolizing shallow sympathy, the mistress's dramatic black outfit representing deep love, and the white flower symbolizing pure love and loyalty.
What moral lesson does the story 'The Chief Test Mourner' convey?
-The moral lesson of 'The Chief Test Mourner' is that in the world of love, one must learn acceptance, understanding that true love is not always measured by legal ties but by the sacrifices and support given during difficult times.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to Ida Rivera Ford and 'The Chief Test Mourner'
The video script begins with an introduction by the reporter, Mark Jovanje Choppilon, who sets the stage for a discussion on Ida Rivera Ford's story, 'The Chief Test Mourner.' Ida Rivera Ford is highlighted as a renowned Filipina literary author, born on January 22, 1926, in Sulu. Her educational background includes a degree in AB English from Silliman University and a master's degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, supported by a Fulbright grant. Ford's achievements include winning the Jules and Ivory Hopwood Award for Fiction and founding the Learning Center of the Arts in Davao City. The script then transitions into a background discussion about the characters and setting of the story, which primarily takes place at a funeral, suggesting a wealthy social context. The narrator's point of view is identified as the first person, allowing for a personal account of the events and conflicts within the story.
🎭 Narrative and Characters of 'The Chief Test Mourner'
Paragraph 2 delves into the narrative of 'The Chief Test Mourner,' focusing on the protagonist Denise and her relationship with her late uncle, a famous poet. Denise's memories of her uncle and the impact of his death on her life are explored. The story's setting is expanded upon, with a focus on the funeral and the social dynamics it presents. The characters of Aunt Sophia, the poet's legal wife, and Essa, the other woman, are introduced, along with their complex relationships and interactions during the funeral. The narrative also touches on cultural elements, such as the use of the Spanish language and societal expectations, which influence the characters' behaviors and the unfolding drama. The paragraph concludes with a description of the funeral scene, where the presence of two women claiming to be the poet's wife creates an unusual and tense atmosphere.
🌟 Themes and Symbolism in 'The Chief Test Mourner'
Paragraph 3 discusses the themes and symbolism present in 'The Chief Test Mourner.' The story's main conflict revolves around the feud between the two women, each claiming to be the poet's rightful widow. Themes such as unconditional love, sacrifice, societal setup, and Spanish influence are examined through the characters' actions and the story's setting. Symbolism is used to enhance the narrative, with items such as clothing and flowers representing deeper meanings about the characters and their relationships. The white flower, in particular, symbolizes the mistress's pure love and loyalty. The moral lesson of the story is presented as the importance of acceptance in love and relationships, and the idea that true love is not always defined by legal or societal norms but by the sacrifices and support offered during difficult times.
🌐 Relating 'The Chief Test Mourner' to Filipino Culture
The final paragraph connects 'The Chief Test Mourner' to broader Filipino culture, addressing social issues and family dynamics that are prevalent in the story. It discusses how the character of Essa, the mistress, is a victim of cultural production and how she challenges traditional views on relationships. The paragraph emphasizes the evolving nature of culture and the normalization of complex relationship setups over time. It concludes with a quote from Paul Ferry about unconditional love and prompts the audience to consider who the true chief mourner is, leaving the question open-ended. The report ends with a closing remark from the reporter, summarizing the discussion and encouraging reflection on the story's themes and cultural relevance.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Chief Mourner
💡Unconditional Love
💡Sacrifice
💡Social Setup
💡Spanish Influence
💡Point of View (POV)
💡Conflict
💡Symbolism
💡Cultural Production
💡Acceptance
Highlights
Introduction to the author Ida Rivera Ford, a renowned Filipina literary author.
Background information on Ford's education and achievements, including her Fulbright scholarship.
Ford's significant contribution to Philippine literature through her numerous works.
The founding of the Learning Center of the Arts in Davao City by Ford.
Character analysis of the story 'The Chief Test Mourner', including the roles of Denise, Aunt Sophia, and the poet's mistress.
Setting of the story, predominantly at the poet's funeral, reflecting the social status of the characters.
Use of first-person point of view to narrate the story, providing an intimate perspective.
Plot summary highlighting the complex relationships and the poet's influence on the narrator's life.
Conflict between the poet's legal wife and mistress, central to the story's theme.
Themes of unconditional love, sacrifice, societal setup, and Spanish influence in the story.
Symbolism in the story, such as the white flower representing pure love and loyalty.
Moral lesson of the story emphasizing acceptance and the true nature of love.
Cultural relevance of the story to Filipino society, including the treatment of mistresses and changing social norms.
Quotation from Paul Ferry on demonstrating love unconditionally, related to the story's message.
Concluding thoughts on the identity of the 'chief test mourner', leaving the interpretation to the audience.
Transcripts
a pleasant morning to all of us i am
mark jovenjitjovillo and i am one of
your reporter for today
my topic is the chieftains mourner by
ida rivera ford
but before we start the discussion i
have some few reminders
for you listen carefully and be focused
on the discussion and to jot down notes
important terms
and informations that you might
encounter during the discussion
let us first discuss some background
informations about the author
ida rivera ford was born on january 22
1926
in hollow sulu her parents are pablo
rivera
and lourdes consumje back then
pablo rivera was assigned as judge in
sulu
but in later years their family lived in
other parts of the country
like vegan dumaguete sorsogon and
bacolod
she was famously known as a filipina
literary author
and described as a clever woman where
she write and publish
numerous works like poems essays
operators please and short stories
in 1949 she graduated as laude
with her degree of ab english in siliman
university
negros occidental
in 1954 ford acquired her master's
degree in english language and
literature
at university of michigan through the
fulbright grant
fulbright grant is a scholarship for
exchange students
to have research studies in u.s
in 1958 she was married to donald ford
who was then the director of the united
states information services
and had her son through her five
well-crafted stories
rivera ford won the jules and ivory
hopwood award
for fiction in 1954. in 1980
she founded the learning center of the
arts in davao city
the first college of fine arts in
mindanao
it was renamed ford academy of the arts
incorporated in 1993.
she also worked as a professor and
served as a humanities department head
in ateneo de davao university for 11
years
her story the chief test mourner which
has been a staple in many philippine
literature books
was written as a requirement for her
baccalaureate
presently at the age of 95
ida rivera ford is currently residing at
dabao city
now we're moving on to the literary
analysis
of the story the chief just mourner
[Music]
first are the characters
denise she was the author itself
and the narrator of the story she is the
niece of an sophia
the poet husband of aunt sophia
and is known as a famous and a great
poet
and sophia denise ann
and the poet's wife a loyal and
impatient
wife essa the other woman
a young accomplished and a woman of
means
there are also other group of characters
in the story
like the poet's friends and families
as well as dennis school mates and
teachers
[Music]
the setting
predominantly most of the scenes in the
story
takes place in the funeral of the poet
at the chapel
considering the physical and social
conditions presented in the story
it is easily to predict that the
characteristics are somehow wealthy
considering that the narrator who
happens to be the niece of the dead poet
is boarding at the big girls college in
manila
the presence of a conference room and
the regular use of spanish language
these are matters that only wealth of
families can afford and practice that
time
this culture bounded is so reflective up
until
this day in our society
pov or point of view the story uses
first person as
its point of view the narrator was able
to narrate
the rivalry between the legal wife and
the mistress
as well as the conflicts and the theme
of the story
the usage of pronouns i me and mai
give us an idea that the story is in the
first person perspective
we are now moving on to the plot of the
story
the story started by the narrator or
denise
telling how close she was to his late
uncle
and consider him as her second father
she reminisces her memories and
experiences with her uncle
like in their school when he saw the
picture of her
uncle in the board she can't help but to
cry
she received lots of sympathy as her
uncle is a well-known
and a great poet that his influence
affects how others treated her like
having her work
captioned by the needs of the late great
poet
while some tell he tell her not to be
unhappy about his
uncle passing away because he is now
with
other great poets but she knew that his
uncle didn't not only deserted her
aunt sophia but also the other woman
and maybe died in her embrace
her aunt sophia always relates the poet
as a considerate man when he's sober and
tries to make up for his mistakes
she also mentioned that the poet doesn't
want to be married
as he doesn't see himself as a husband
material
because of his vices not until he finds
the beauty of her wife sophia
which make him change his mind the poet
always went
home drunk that his wife can't bear
that is when sophia tied him in a chair
to learn his lesson
this is the time where the poet decided
to leave her wife
and their home time has passed and the
poet finds his new woman
the niece serves as a way of
communication for the poet
and her wife and sophia will drop her
in the poet's hotel and band with him
the poet always asks about her aunt and
she tells everything about what she
observed
and know about her aunt then the poet
will ask him or her
to give her letters for his wife
the poet slowly loses his weight and
that gives satisfaction to sofia
for her it proves that the poet is
hurting because of their separation
when denise turned 11 she overheard her
mom
and his aunt talking in spanish which is
why she found her interest in learning
the spanish language
she then knew that essa as what her mom
and
aunt called her was a young accomplished
and a woman of means
that this woman won't allow her uncle on
his own way
she always follows him and called
herself as
wife this gives confusion to people
to whether the real wife was her aunt or
essa
when her uncle died she was puzzled
whether between the two women is the
widow
morning when she came into the funeral
she saw her aunt sitting
in front views or chapel's chair wearing
black and white print clothes
she also saw a woman sitting in other
side
wearing a black dramatic dress with a
long veil
it was essen the other woman
this makes his uncle's funeral unusual
with two women
taking possessions when she went to the
casket to see her
uncle she saw a white flower in a dove
sheep with weights
from the loyal one she know that it is
from the other woman
and not from his aunt sophia
[Music]
the poet's friend arrives in the funeral
and she guessed it is a hard decision
whether to go to the side of his aunt or
to essa
most of the girls went to her own side
while some boys
went other ways the high-profile people
are also present in the funeral like the
president
and other famous poets and the likes
time passed and no one between the two
women lived
she appreciated his aunt's dali cadeza
and soon went home when she got hungry
early the next day they went back to the
chapel and the other woman is not around
but at the afternoon the woman arrived
wearing the same dress she wore
but then her hair is not tied and her
skin glowing up with her eyes
still striking some of the women
in the funeral gossips about the woman
the whisper went louder
good enough for her to hear everything
the choir the quarrel has started as a
sister of the poet
asked the woman to leave the police but
the woman refuses
her aunt sophia fought for the peace and
solemnity of the funeral
while elsa fought for her right for her
uncle
essa tells the people about how she
sacrificed
during the hard times of the poem that
she was the one who is there
when he isn't well selling her jewelries
to support him
and went to people and publishers to pay
the hospital bills
she then asked them if any one of them
went during those times and now they
want her to live so that they can have
the picture together with the president
sophia answered her telling that what
they want is to honor the dead
and to have a peaceful funeral and that
they couldn't go to him in that times
because
she make lots of scandals for him and
that essa
was there when he is sick at that moment
the least essa can do is to leave him in
peace
esta leave the place with her mascara
running down
to his face but denise said that it's
not funny at
all the conflict is in the type of man
vs man the main conflict of the story
is the feud between the two women
whether who
deserves to be called as widow and take
possessions
what is the theme of the story
theme of the stories are unconditional
love
sacrificial societal set up and spanish
influence
unconditional love and sacrifices are
both seen in the character
of the other woman because of her love
for the poet
she sacrifices his belongings like
jewelries
just to support the needs of him and
even talk to other publishers for the
poet's work to republish and use the
money for their bills
she also stayed in the side of the poet
even in the hardest times
social setups and spanish influence are
also seen in the story
like a man having two wives and and that
almost sees the other woman as the bad
one
spanish terms and ways are shown
for example the word deli cadeza
and denise having interest in spanish
language
while innocence can also be one of the
team in the story
symbolism the author use multiple
symbolism in order to
make the story effective since the plot
type is
just simple and somehow usual to stories
and sophia's black and white queen
clothes
symbolize her shallow sympathy and love
for the poet
while the mistress dramatic black outfit
pictures
out her deepest love and condolences for
her husband
the cluster of white flowers that was
seen by the poet's
niece near the casket with a note from
the loyal one
definitely is from the mistress
for that ingeniously fashioned dove
sheep flowery
defines that features of the mistress
the white flower symbolizes her pure
love and loyalty
that she had offered to her husband
[Music]
so what is the moral lesson of the story
in the world of love you must learn
acceptance
you have to accept the reality on how
both of you cope with each other with
the things you really don't want and
hate
even how it is for the sake of your
relation relationship
you must accept but remember
accept but never tolerate
[Music]
another is that true love is not always
measured with papers
sometimes there are people whom you've
not related to
or just like the story asana not being
the real wife
but still stayed and cared for the poet
even for the hardest times someone who
is
willing to sacrifice just to support him
if we are to base it from the law it was
the legal wife
who should be honored but based on love
the mistress is the one who describes it
more
in the end the mistress led the legal
wife to be the chief test
chiefest murderer and this is what you
call real love
[Music]
how can we relate the story to filipino
culture
we can relate the filipino culture to
this story
for it showcases social setups family
issues and reality
that mistresses are weak in the eyes of
most filipinos
essa is a victim of cultural production
and she was labeled as mistress
mistress a product of changing culture
where she belongs to essa
is not aware that she exceeds the way
the culture defines the relationship
because culture changes from a given
period of time
as the time pass by we can observe that
this kind of setup
is becoming normal in today's life
though
of course we are not tolerating or
saying that
it is a right thing to do but also
let's not make it a reason to judge and
disregard people
before i end my discussion i just want
to show you this quotation
from paul ferry you demonstrate love by
giving it
unconditionally to yourself and as you
do
you attract others into your life who
are able to love you without conditions
do you think who really is the chief
test mourner
the answer for this question hangs on
you
and that concludes my report once again
i'm mark jovanji choppilon from bsn
english to me
thank you for listening and i hope that
you've learned a lot from my report
have a nice day
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