SCENT OF APPLES BY BIENVENIDO SANTOS ӏӏ LITERARY ANALYSIS ӏӏ ENGLISH 7 ӏӏ QUARTER 2- MODULE 3

Summary

In this video, we explore 'Scent of Apples' by Bienvenido Santos, a poignant story about a Filipino immigrant, Celestino Fabia, living in America and grappling with homesickness and identity. The narrator, a Filipino writer, delves into Fabia’s emotional struggles as he navigates the space between his homeland and his new life in the U.S. The story highlights themes of cultural displacement, nostalgia, and the bittersweet feeling of longing for home. Through this narrative, Santos reflects the immigrant experience, revealing how the search for belonging and identity transcends personal stories to represent a broader cultural journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Scent of Apples* by Bienvenido Santos is a story about the emotional struggle of a Filipino immigrant in America, torn between his heritage and new life in the U.S.
• 😀 The main character, Celestino Fabia, represents the immigrant experience, highlighting homesickness, identity conflict, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture.
• 😀 The plot follows the narrator, a Filipino writer, who visits Kalamazoo, Michigan, and learns about Fabia's deep connection to the Philippines and his struggles with loneliness in America.
• 😀 The story is structured into five key parts: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution, each revealing different aspects of Fabia's internal and external conflicts.
• 😀 The setting of the story, Kalamazoo, Michigan, contrasts with the Philippines, emphasizing Fabia’s homesickness and the disconnection he feels from both his homeland and his new country.
• 😀 The themes of *Scent of Apples* include homesickness, nostalgia, identity, belonging, and cultural displacement, which resonate with many immigrants' experiences of feeling caught between two worlds.
• 😀 The story uses symbolic elements like the apple orchard to highlight the contrast between American culture and Fabia's Filipino roots.
• 😀 The narrator, who shares a similar Filipino background, offers insight into Fabia's life, helping the reader relate to the immigrant experience on a deeper level.
• 😀 Biographical context reveals that Santos’ own experiences as a Filipino immigrant shaped the story, adding emotional depth to the portrayal of homesickness and identity struggles.
• 😀 The historical context, written post-World War II when many Filipinos were migrating to the U.S., reflects real societal challenges immigrants faced during that time, including cultural differences and discrimination.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the story *Scent of Apples* by Bienvenido Santos?

The central theme of *Scent of Apples* is the immigrant experience, particularly the feelings of homesickness and longing for one's homeland, as well as the struggle with cultural identity and belonging in a new country.

How does the story *Scent of Apples* reflect the struggles of Filipino immigrants?

The story reflects the struggles of Filipino immigrants through the character of Celestino Fabia, who feels torn between his life in America and his longing for the Philippines. It highlights the emotional challenges of trying to fit into American society while keeping a strong connection to Filipino heritage.

What role does the setting of Kalamazoo, Michigan play in the story?

Kalamazoo, Michigan, with its rural, apple-filled landscape, contrasts sharply with the tropical Philippines that Celestino Fabia remembers. This setting amplifies his feelings of homesickness and cultural displacement.

How does the character of Celestino Fabia embody the immigrant experience?

Celestino Fabia embodies the immigrant experience through his deep homesickness for the Philippines, his struggles with identity, and his efforts to balance Filipino traditions with American customs. He represents the emotional and cultural challenges immigrants face in adapting to a new life.

What is the significance of the apple trees in Celestino Fabia's life?

The apple trees symbolize the contrast between American culture and Fabia's Filipino roots. They serve as a reminder of his attempt to cultivate a piece of home in his American life, symbolizing his longing for the Philippines and his effort to hold onto his heritage.

What is the internal conflict Celestino Fabia faces in the story?

Celestino Fabia's internal conflict centers around his struggle with his identity as a Filipino immigrant in America. He grapples with feelings of loneliness and displacement as he tries to reconcile his Filipino roots with his life in the United States.

How does Celestino Fabia's relationship with his American wife, Ruth, highlight the challenges of cultural assimilation?

Ruth, Fabia's American wife, tries to understand his feelings of homesickness but cannot fully grasp the depth of his connection to the Philippines. Their relationship highlights the difficulties immigrants face in communicating and maintaining their cultural identity while integrating into a different society.

How does the point of view of the narrator enhance the story?

The first-person perspective of the narrator, who is also a Filipino writer, allows the reader to connect deeply with Fabia's struggles. This perspective gives insight into the shared experiences of the narrator and Fabia, making the themes of homesickness and identity more relatable.

What is the significance of the historical context of post-World War II Filipino migration to the United States?

The historical context of post-World War II Filipino migration provides important background for the story. During this time, many Filipinos moved to the U.S. for better job opportunities, but they faced challenges such as cultural differences, discrimination, and homesickness. This context adds depth to the story by illustrating the real struggles many immigrants faced.

What does the story suggest about the nature of 'home'?

The story suggests that 'home' is not just a physical place but a part of one's identity. For Celestino Fabia, even though he lives in America, his true home remains the Philippines, and the story highlights the emotional attachment to one’s homeland, which stays with a person even when they are far away.