CRITIQUE PAPER

  PUPPY LOVE:A CRITIQUE PAPER

            Puppy Love, written by Francisco Sionil Jose, is a must-read short story. It’s a plain statement so I’ll provide 10 reasons why. First, Jose is able to make a clear description of the setting of the story. I can give a 100% assurance that the reader would not get lost as he read the story because everything is well-stated and every detail is properly placed. Second, Puppy Love depicts Filipino cultures and traditions. I highlighted a paragraph from the story as a support to my claim. “My father raised fighting cocks and sometimes I thought he loved those roosters more than my mother and me for he was always with them, stroking them. He also liked liquor, usually Ginebra San Miguel. He was very pleasant even when he lost in the cockpit, which was almost always. He would come home with a dead bird which would end up in the pot. Mother work hard selling fish and salt in the market, waking up early to get her share from the supplier. She also sold jueteng bets” (1). He is able to include Filipino brand such as the Ginebra San Miguel which has become part of the Filipino identity. Third, Jose is able to evoke a feeling of ease within me when the narrator said the story “In small towns such as San Jacinto where there are no Catholic schools for the rich, the children of both tenant and landlord go to the same public school where, as children, most of them are barefoot. It is in these schools where the idea of class is dispelled as the rich and the poor kids learn and play together” (2).  This somehow gives me hope that we could avoid discrimination among social class which is a must especially in today’s generation. Fourth, I love how Jose introduced the story on the last paragraph of the first page. His segue perfectly fits the place where it is stated. He was able to make me understand what the Puppy Love is all about little by little which is good because the information doesn’t overload. Fifth, it is interesting because he mentions existing places in the Philippines and outside its parameters throughout the story. Being a reader, it makes me think that it might be a true-to-life story because of the facts present in the story. Sixth, the point of view is indeed consistent from the very beginning up to the end. Well, the author can change the point of views but having Jacobo as the narrator all throughout makes the story unique. It makes me think what does Gina feel? Doesn’t she, at least once, realize that it is Jacobo whom she is talking with? Seventh, Jose makes me feel the pain. He is able to evoke the feeling of regret that what if Gina confessed a little earlier? Would they end up together? I can feel the trouble of being twisted by fate. This, I think, makes Jose an effective writer because he can change how the reader feels as he read the story. Eighth, this short story never gets old and we can all relate because it doesn’t just talk about puppy love itself. It also talks about friendship, family, career, education and how does night life works. It is amazing that Jose is able to include so many topics without confusing the reader. Ninth, it will make us believe in the power of love that it knows no distance, time and place. It makes me realize that love drives us to do things we didn’t know we could. And love, no other things could ever equate its value. And lastly, Puppy Love written by Francisco Sionil Jose suggests that puppy love isn’t just for children, it can last up to adulthood although no one is certain about what the future may bring. It is a twist because when you read the title, you will think that “ah, puppy love. It is about childhood love” but when you finished reading, it will make you think again.

            The line that captured my interest most is “How could two very young people get to know the arcane ways of loving, caring? I did not know then what love was but I did know feeling - unexpressed, compulsive - and this I had a lot for Gina. I looked at her, the fine profile, the angelic face, the beginnings of her breasts. I wanted to hold her like I did when we were dancing but all I could do was mumble, "Gina, I like looking at you"” (4). I ask myself the same question.

            Jose’s a great writer. He doesn’t just entertain through his story, he also gives a glimpse to reality which enables the reader to relate to it. Another good note is the lessons aren’t directly stated which makes the reader analyze and contemplate about it.

            Indeed, Puppy Love can be a story for all ages and of all ages. It won’t grow old and become outmoded for the concept of love never gets old too!