SCENT OF APPLES | Bienvenido Santos - AudioBook | English 7 Matatag| Q2-W5 Short Story

Summary

In 'Scent of Apples' by Bienvenido Santos, a Filipino exile reflects on his life and memories while visiting Kalamazoo during wartime. The narrator meets Celestino Fabia, a Filipino farmer, and shares an emotional encounter about the Filipino experience, identity, and nostalgia for home. Fabia's longing for the past and his connection to his homeland is revealed through his conversations with the narrator. Themes of displacement, memory, and the unchanging virtues of Filipino women are explored. The story poignantly uses apples as a metaphor for familial ties, home, and the enduring bonds of culture and heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story takes place in Kalamazoo during October, amidst the backdrop of war, with imagery of autumn, apple orchards, and reflective thoughts on home and loss.
• 😀 The narrator meets Celestino Fabia, a Filipino farmer, who shares a personal connection to the Philippines, his homeland, and the nostalgia he feels for his country and its people.
• 😀 The discussion between the narrator and an audience of women leads to a question about the differences between Filipino and American women, touching on cultural differences and similarities.
• 😀 A Filipino man in the audience, who has lived in America for over 20 years, asks the narrator if Filipino women have changed, revealing the sense of nostalgia and idealism that many expatriates hold for their homeland.
• 😀 The narrator reassures the Filipino man that while Filipino women have changed on the outside, their core qualities—modesty, faith, and kindness—remain the same, offering a sense of comfort to the man.
• 😀 Celestino Fabia offers to take the narrator to meet his family on a farm outside of Kalamazoo, providing an invitation that reflects his warmth and pride in his heritage and family.
• 😀 The journey to Fabia’s farm reveals his deep attachment to his land, his family, and his past, including memories of hardship and survival, such as a winter when his wife Ruth had to carry him through the snow to get medical help.
• 😀 The apple trees on Fabia’s farm become a metaphor for the passing of time, autumn symbolizing both the beauty and the inevitability of decay and death in life.
• 😀 Ruth, Fabia's wife, represents the strength and resilience of rural life, showing unconditional care and selflessness in the face of adversity, as demonstrated during her husband’s medical emergency.
• 😀 The story concludes with the narrator reflecting on the complexities of exile and the longing for home, as Fabia expresses a quiet resignation about never being remembered in his hometown in the Philippines.
• 😀 The final imagery of the apple trees, the cold winter air, and the darkening night symbolizes the inevitable separation between the past and the present, as well as the emotional weight of exile and nostalgia for home.

Q & A

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

The central theme revolves around exile, nostalgia, and the sense of displacement. It explores the emotional journey of Filipino immigrants who, despite building new lives in the U.S., remain connected to their homeland through memories and identity.

How does the autumn setting contribute to the overall narrative?

The autumn setting, with its vivid imagery of falling leaves and the scent of apples, serves as a metaphor for the passage of time, impermanence, and the bittersweet nature of memories. It mirrors the narrator's reflections on his life and the lives of others around him.

What is the significance of the scent of apples in the story?

The scent of apples is a powerful symbol of home, nostalgia, and the connection to the past. It evokes memories of the homeland for Celestino Fabia, serving as a reminder of both his Filipino roots and the life he now leads in America.

How does Celestino Fabia's character reflect the immigrant experience?

Celestino Fabia embodies the immigrant experience of longing and adaptation. Though he has built a family and farm in America, his deep attachment to his homeland and the cultural ties he maintains reflect the emotional challenges faced by many immigrants.

What is the relationship between Celestino Fabia and his family?

Celestino's relationship with his family, particularly his wife Ruth and son Roger, is one of care, love, and dedication. Despite their modest life, Celestino shows pride in his family, and his bond with them is central to his emotional life in America.

What role does the narrator play in the story, and how does his perspective influence the narrative?

The narrator acts as a reflective observer, providing insights into Celestino's life and emotions. His perspective allows the audience to explore the immigrant experience through a more analytical lens, highlighting themes of memory, exile, and cultural identity.

What is the significance of the interaction between the narrator and the Filipino man at the college event?

The interaction between the narrator and the Filipino man represents the shared experiences of Filipino immigrants. It highlights the emotional and cultural divide between those who have lived abroad for many years and those who remain connected to the homeland through idealized memories.

How does Celestino's experience with his wife during his illness symbolize his attachment to the past?

Celestino's story about his wife's devotion during his appendicitis episode reflects the sacrifices of Filipino women and the enduring bonds of family. It symbolizes the continuity of love and resilience, even as Celestino wrestles with feelings of displacement and nostalgia for his homeland.

Why does Celestino not want to return to the Philippines, despite his lingering memories?

Celestino’s reluctance to return to the Philippines reflects the painful realities of exile. Although he cherishes his memories, he feels that his connection to the country has faded over time, and that no one would remember him there. This feeling of being forgotten contributes to his emotional detachment from his homeland.

What does the ending of the story suggest about Celestino's future and his emotional state?

The ending suggests that Celestino is resigned to his life in America and the reality of never returning to the Philippines. His quiet farewell and the narrator's final reflections evoke a sense of emotional closure but also a profound sadness, as Celestino faces the inevitable reality of his exile and the passage of time.