FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH Demo

FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH by Jose Garcia Villa
Dodong is a 17-year-old young boy who is impatiently waiting for his father to return home so that he can tell him
of his love for Teang and his desire to marry her. He feels that, at 17, he is a grown man and is ready for the next
important step in his life. When he tells his father that he has asked Teang to marry him and wants his blessing,
there is a long, cruel silence. His father asks if he must marry her because Dodong is very young. Dodong
resents his father’s question, and finally his father gives his consent.
Nine months later, Dodong is waiting outside while Teang gives birth to their first son, Blas. He feels young and
inexperienced, in contrast to how he felt nine months ago. Dodong did not want any more children, but they
came anyway. For the next six years, Teang gave birth. Seven children in all.
Teang did not complain. However, her body was now shapeless and thin from bearing so many children and
from the hard work of caring for them and the household. Even though she loved Dodong, she cried and wished
that she had not married so young. There had been another suitor, Lucio, who was years older than Dodong.
She chose Dodong because he was so much younger. Lucio had married after she married Dodong; however,
he was childless. She wonders if, if she had married Lucio, she would be childless. She feels that would have
been a better lot in life. But she loves Dodong, even though life has made her old and ugly. One night, Dodong
goes outside and thinks about his life. He wants to have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill youth’s
dreams. Why does life forsake you after love? He never finds the answer.
When Blas turns 18, he comes home and tells Dodong that he wants to marry Tona. Dodong, at this time, is only
36 years old, but he is portrayed as a much older man. Dodong does not want Blas to marry so young. He asks
the same question his father asked him. Does Blas have to marry Tona? He does not want him to make the
same mistake he did. Blas also reacts with resentment. Dodong realizes that he is dealing with youth and love,
and they will triumph over his situation. After that, comes real life. He gives his consent, feeling sad and sorry for
his son.
FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH by Jose Garcia Villa
Dodong is a 17-year-old young boy who is impatiently waiting for his father to return home so that he can tell him
of his love for Teang and his desire to marry her. He feels that, at 17, he is a grown man and is ready for the next
important step in his life. When he tells his father that he has asked Teang to marry him and wants his blessing,
there is a long, cruel silence. His father asks if he must marry her because Dodong is very young. Dodong
resents his father’s question, and finally his father gives his consent.
Nine months later, Dodong is waiting outside while Teang gives birth to their first son, Blas. He feels young and
inexperienced, in contrast to how he felt nine months ago. Dodong did not want any more children, but they
came anyway. For the next six years, Teang gave birth. Seven children in all.
Teang did not complain. However, her body was now shapeless and thin from bearing so many children and
from the hard work of caring for them and the household. Even though she loved Dodong, she cried and wished
that she had not married so young. There had been another suitor, Lucio, who was years older than Dodong.
She chose Dodong because he was so much younger. Lucio had married after she married Dodong; however,
he was childless. She wonders if, if she had married Lucio, she would be childless. She feels that would have
been a better lot in life. But she loves Dodong, even though life has made her old and ugly. One night, Dodong
goes outside and thinks about his life. He wants to have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill youth’s
dreams. Why does life forsake you after love? He never finds the answer.
When Blas turns 18, he comes home and tells Dodong that he wants to marry Tona. Dodong, at this time, is only
36 years old, but he is portrayed as a much older man. Dodong does not want Blas to marry so young. He asks
the same question his father asked him. Does Blas have to marry Tona? He does not want him to make the
same mistake he did. Blas also reacts with resentment. Dodong realizes that he is dealing with youth and love,
and they will triumph over his situation. After that, comes real life. He gives his consent, feeling sad and sorry for
his son.

FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH Demo

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH Demo

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH Demo

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH by Jose Garcia Villa

FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH by Jose Garcia Villa

You might also like