The Chief Test Mourner Analysis

The Chief Test Mourner Analysis

Torejas, Chelyn R.

This is a short story authored by Aida Rivera Ford. The story is all about the death of the narrator’s uncle. It is a story with a focal point focused on love and innocence in the context of death.

At the establishing point of the story, the first story lines already shows a tint of innocence and simplicity but the gloomy tone of the story is already felt. The situation is just a very typical scenario in the Philippines but through the writer’s prolific used of diction and imagery a common situation is turned into something new – a work of art. As you look at it, the plot is so simple. But what will move most of the readers is the author’s command of language and smooth flow of situations.

In economic terms, the reader can easily predict that the characters 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 well-off families can afford and practiced.

The story is so culture bounded and is so reflective of our society. Some reflective traits are the delicadeza system being practiced, the unfaithfulness of husbands, presence of gossipers, scandals in public and ridiculous funeral set-up with two different camps in opposite sides.

A minimal Spanish colonialism practices is also being reflective in the story through the practiced of delicadeza system and the regular used of Spanish language.

Along the way, the reader can feel that the narrator itself is being caught between love and disloyalty.