Candles

Central Luzon State University

University Science High School

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

Marie Louise Elizabeth C. Estabillo Philippine Literature

IV-Innovators July 22, 2014

The Enlightenment of an Old Man’s Tenebrous Life in Delfin Fresnosa’s

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“Candles”

I. Context

Mimetic Theory

The goal of mimetic criticism is to determine how well a work of literature connects with the real world, and the theory can be broadened to include approaches that deal with the spiritual and symbolic, the images that connect people of all times and cultures. Mimetic criticism can include aspects of moral/philosophical criticism, psychological criticism and feminist criticism. Mimetic criticism also argues that art conveys universal truths instead of just temporal and individual truths.

Mimetic critics ask how well the work of literature accords with the real world. They analyze the accuracy of a literary work and its morality. They consider whether or not it shows how people really act, and whether or not it is correct. The mimetic critic assesses a literary work through the prism of his or her own time, judging the text according to his own value system.

II. Backround

The Author

Born in Gubat, Sorsogon in 1916, Delfin Fresnosa finished high school in 1937. After completing an M.A. degree in English at the Far Eastern University, he taught in the Manila city schools and at the National Teachers College as well as the University of the East. He considers the city as without a conscience and without a soul. To him, the people of lowly origin are the real people. Many of his fifty short stories give vivid insights into Philippine life and customs.

III. The Story

Characters

1. The old man – an uninteresting person who was frustrated on looking for his wife’s grave

2. The boy – a young man who used to bought him coffee and bread in a nearby Chinese store and cooked the scant meals

3. Woman – a...