MAESTRO IN ABSENCIA MODULE/ACTIVITY SHEET

21st Century Learning

EN12Lit-IIb-32: Explain the texts
Subject:
Literature in terms of literary elements,
Competency:
genres, and traditions.
Tradition and culture in Raquel A. Bacuyag
Maestro in
Topic: the formation of literary
Absencia:
piece
References:
21st Century Literature from the Philippine and the World pp.101-109
Grade Level/Section 11-Humility, Hope, Faith Date: Duration: 1 hr.
I. READING TEXT

Summary of the Bread of Salt by N V MGonzales

It was his assigned duty to be up early in the morning and be on his way to the baker’s to buy rolls and pan
desal for the breakfast table. He was fourteen and he has already got used to his task. On his way he
thought of the bread of salt – pandesal – and wondered how it was made, what gives its flavor and shape.
He looked around the landscape at daybreak and once again remembered how much he adored Aida, the
niece of the old Spaniard whom he thought he was destined to serve, "just like his late grandfather. The times he
thought it was his duty to stay in the house in the service of the young maiden. He even dreamed that she
likewise keeps an intense emotion for him, which she will only dare manifest in the right time.

He was a diligent student and violinist. It didn’t take long before he was transferred from second to first
violin and before long, he was invited to "join pete Saez’ band and perform in one engagement after another. He
was happy to earn money through his own skill, although it was with utter bitterness that he had to endure
rehearsals despite the outward disapproval of his aunt against his chosen field. The thought musicians are
no better than dogs scurrying to get their mouths on food scraps in trash bins. But he didn’t mind, thinking
that the money he’ll earn from playing the violin will allow him the capacity to buy a brooch and beautiful
stationery for his ardent love letters to Aida.

Then he was invited, together with Saez band, to the asalto for Don steban’s daughters who were arriving
from Manila. He was honored to be in a sophisticated gathering and get a magnified look at Aida’s stunning
beauty. He was beside himself with immeasurable "joy and pride but will later on be displaced by an equally
immeasurable embarrassment at the buffet table after Aida caught him sneaking some sweets into the
packet under his shirt. She nonetheless offered him a big package of food after the party but due to his
intense shame, he lost the composure to react along with the entire ardor he used to shower the maiden
with. After the party they led the guests’ home with their music. Then with Paez, he went to the bakery to
buy pandesal with his own money. But the bread wasn’t ready yet so they waited.

II. ANALYSIS
Identify the following:

1. Setting
2. Characters
3. Plot
4. Theme
5. Conflicts
6. Imagery
7. Mood and tone

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 III. EVALUATION

Explain the following:

1. Why did the boy in the story compare himself to a pandesal?
2. Why did Aida react the way she did when she caught the boy stole sweets in the party?
3. Why the story revolves in the title “Bread of Salt”?

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