The Chieftest Mourner

Summary

In 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

00:00

📚 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.

05:03

🎭 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.

10:04

🌟 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.

15:05

🌐 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.

Keywords

💡Chief Mourner

The 'Chief Mourner' refers to the person who is expected to take the lead in mourning the deceased, typically a close family member. In the context of the video, the term is used to explore the complex dynamics between two women who both lay claim to the role due to their relationships with the deceased poet. This concept is central to the story's exploration of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations.

💡Unconditional Love

Unconditional love is a profound affection that is given without any conditions or limitations. In the video, it is exemplified by the actions of the 'other woman,' who sacrifices her own wealth and comfort to support the poet during his difficult times. This theme is used to contrast the different forms of love expressed by the characters and to question what truly constitutes love in the face of societal norms.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice in the video script denotes the act of giving up something valuable for the sake of something else, often without expecting anything in return. The 'other woman' is portrayed as making significant sacrifices, such as selling her jewelry to cover the poet's hospital bills, which highlights her deep commitment to the poet despite not being his legal wife.

💡Social Setup

The term 'social setup' in the video refers to the cultural and societal norms that dictate how relationships and roles within a community are structured. The story reflects on how these setups can lead to complex situations, such as the poet having two women who both consider themselves his wife, challenging the viewers to consider the impact of societal expectations on personal relationships.

💡Spanish Influence

The 'Spanish Influence' mentioned in the video script alludes to the historical and cultural impact of Spanish colonization on the Philippines. This influence is evident in the use of the Spanish language and certain cultural practices, such as the term 'dali cadeza' used by the characters, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural heritage that shapes the characters' identities and interactions.

💡Point of View (POV)

Point of View (POV) in literature refers to the perspective from which a story is told. In the video, the story is narrated from the first-person POV of Denise, the niece of the deceased poet. This choice allows the audience to experience the story through her eyes, providing an intimate and personal account of the events and the emotional turmoil surrounding the poet's funeral.

💡Conflict

Conflict in the video is a central theme that drives the narrative, particularly the conflict between the legal wife and the mistress over who has the right to mourn the poet as the 'chief mourner.' This conflict is not just personal but also societal, as it reflects the broader issues of love, loyalty, and the legal and moral implications of relationships.

💡Symbolism

Symbolism in literature is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In the video, symbols such as the black and white clothes of Aunt Sophia and the dramatic black outfit of the mistress are used to convey their respective feelings towards the poet. The white flower with a dove-shaped sheet of weights from the mistress symbolizes her pure love and loyalty, adding a layer of depth to the story's themes.

💡Cultural Production

Cultural production refers to the way culture shapes and is shaped by human activities and interactions. In the video, the character of Essa, the 'other woman,' is portrayed as a victim of cultural production, where societal norms and expectations define her role and status. The video uses her character to explore the evolving nature of culture and its impact on individual lives.

💡Acceptance

Acceptance in the video is presented as a moral lesson, suggesting that in the realm of love, one must accept the reality of the relationship, even the aspects that are difficult or undesirable. This concept is highlighted through the actions and decisions of the characters, particularly the mistress, who accepts her position and the poet's flaws, and demonstrates love through her sacrifices.

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