The Chieftest Mourner: A Reaction

The Chieftest Mourner is a story or rather a narration by a girl in her college days whose unvle
died. Her uncle was given the title "the last of a distinct school of Philippine poets" and was
described as "the sweetest lyre that ever throbbed with Malayan chords". The title of this story is
different from the other ones I've read before because one of the words which makes it up is
unfamiliar to me and to my dictionary, which makes it a bit hard to make a connection between it
and the story itself. But from the word 'mourner' and 'chief' I think it means who suffered most. I
believe that the narrator or the girl is the one who fits the description, which makes the title fit
for the story and its theme, which is mainly about the death of a great poet.

For me, the death of her uncle is indeed a great tragedy. But a part of me is saying he deserves it
because he left his wife, he left the girl's Aunt Sophia alone and heartbroken. Although Aunt

Sophia knew that her husband did not really intend to

marry her, she was still heartbroken because of the fact that the man she loved did not learn how
to love her completely, not just because of her beauty.

The great poet left his wife for another woman. Why did he have to go away and find another
woman to be with when he already has somebody who loves him? Couldn't the dramatic poet
accept what was done to him because he got drunk? It was his fault he got drunk. Getting drunk
for inspiration is definitely not an excuse. And he could have at least thought about what kind of
girl he would be with. He is going to do something wrong at least do that wrong thing properly.
("Did that make sense? Hmm?") I mean, come on, talk about a control freak. The next woman he
was with never let him have things done his way. Sure, she helped him when he was sick, and
when he got broke and all, but if I were that guy, I'd rather go back to my real wife than stay with
a devil in disguise. Maybe that terrible woman was the cause of his sickness and failures in life.
It is a sad thing that he had to go through such terrible things; he probably had som much talent
in poetry and the fine arts.

Some part of the story struck me like lightning. There i one part that says people are confused as
to who others are referring to as the pet's wife. Is it his legal wife? Or is it his other woman? Why
did they get confused when clearly Aunt Sophia is the one who should be addressed to as the
pet's wife? His mistress does not have any right whatsoever to call herself the real wife. See?
Control frea-ness again. She is definitely somebody who doesn't deserve a man with great talent.
She should have just returned him to his real wife to avoid scandals, but unfortunately, she didn't
so it cost her big time. It was a good thing that the poet's sisters stood by Aunt Sophia's side
when there was an argument in the chapel during the funeral. The pet's mistress and the young
man she was with were definitely flaming with rage. It serves that evil witch right to e called a
'shameless bitch'. Ok, so maybe nobody deserves to be called on after all but in a way that's what
it means if you describe what she did. But, I do pity her though. She did help the poet when he as
sick, she sold her jewelry to make money for hi, she peddled his work to the publishers, she did
everything in order to help the pet stand on his own two feet again. Honestly, I am not sure what
to think of that woman after all. I am not sure whether I should e angry with her for being with a
married man or feel pitiful towards her because she still got a big argument and lost her respect
and dignity for helping somebody in his times of need...

This story of Philippine Literature by Aida Rivera-Ford i certainly one of the best stories I've
read. It is something many would consider as a timeless clasic. While reading, you would feel as
if you were the girl who experienced a great tragedy. Of coure, this story is not exactly perfect
for everybody. Many characters in the story do not have naes. The poet, the narrator, the
mistress, everybody except for Aunt Sophia, the girl or the narrator's aunt, do not have names at
all. This made it hard to keep track of who is doing what sometimes. Mixed feelings and
emotions are felt by the characters. There is secrecy, hate, sadness, bravery, rage, a feeling of
totally nothingness, even a feeling of competition seems present in the storyy. Even if I am not a
big fan of Phgilippine Literature, I found this story very enoyable to read. It is not very
complicated. It is easy to understand, but there is this case of no names for everybody. Although
this is not like your usual type of literature wherein you will find complicated words, extremely
long and boring parts and there is a thought present in one's head -'Ayoko na 'to
basahin...Katamad" or maybe "This is extreme and absolute torture!', this story is nice to read, it
is simple, brief, and equally interesting, but it doesn't mean that the other stories which are not
like this are not interesting and nice to read. It is the kind of literature for students in high school.
It is not long nor is it hort and it allows students to express their reaction easily. No need for a
major brainstorm that lasts the entire time given to you before the deadline. So, long story, short,
I really like The Chieftest Mourner.

It is definitely one that I will remember and it will serve as an inspiration for me to try my best
when it comes to making a reaction paper. It will also serve as a trigger for my possible liking for
reading short stories and pieces of Philippine Literature.

The Chieftest Mourner by Aida Rivera Ford

This, by far, is the most interesting take on adultery I’ve ever read (or even
watched), although for some reason I can’t really put into words, I wonder if the
story is really about that. I feel there is a special reason why the author would use a
person, who is not directly affected by the two conflicting parties, as narrator of the
story, though I can’t exactly figure out why. The story, though simple in language, is
covered with a sort of mystique—a mystique which when unraveled, would lead to
better appreciation of the author’s work.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12901457/Short-Story-Analysis

video

2-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfmt2UFgxzU&NR=1