SHADOW AND

SOLITUDE
Claro M. Recto
About the Author
Claro Recto y Mayo
(1890 – 1960)
Born: February 8, 1890
Birth Place: Tiaong, Tayabas,
Captaincy general of the Philippines
(now Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines)

Died: October 2, 1960 (aged 70)

Death Place: Rome, Italian Republic
 About the Author

- He was a Filipino statesman, jurist, poet and

one of the foremost statesmen of his
generation.
- Remembered for his nationalism, for the impact
of his patriotic convictions on modern political
thought
 About the Author
July 30, 1934 – February 8, 1935 : President of the
1934 Constitutional Convention
1931 – 1934: Minority Leader of the Senate od the
Philippines
July 9, 1945 – May 25, 1946
April 3, 1952 – October 2, 1960 : Senator of the
Philippines
 About the Author
- Reared and schooled in the Spanish Language,
his mother tongue alongside Tagalog, and he
was also fluent in English
- Gained fame as a poet while a student at
University of Santo Tomas (He published Bajo
los Cocoteros)
 Synopsis

• Five o’clock on an April afternoon in 1917. Don

Narciso arrived at Andres and Gabriela’s home.
Don Narciso was their uncle and asked why did
Andres had a scratch on his face, at first, Andres
does not want to talk about him but Gabriela
convinced him. Later on, he tell Don Narciso
about the incident.
 Synopsis
• Gabriela went to the garden to pick flowers to her
patient who has the same illness with her named
Charito. Don Narciso took an advantage with
Gabriela’s business and straightly talked to Andres
that he should not deny that rumors that spread. Of
course, Andres denies it and he challenge the Don
to look for evidence.
 Synopsis

• When Don Narciso was leaving, Marina arrived. She was

confused with the sudden left of Don Narciso. Marina and
Gabriela talked about the new society and how modern
ladies differ from the ladies of their time. Luisa, a family
friend entered the house and everybody seems shocked
because of her sudden visit.
 Synopsis

• Luisa asked Marina about how was her vacation in

Zamboanga, and how was everything about her love life
but Gabriela answered that she was not interested with
love or relationships. Andres and Luisa talked about the
difference between happiness to be given or to be taken.
 Synopsis

• After some time, Andres asked if Marina was alone

and she was afraid what was on going on around
them and asked Andres if Gabriela know. Andres
declined but said that Don Narciso is being
suspicious.
 Synopsis

• At the window, Gabriela saw them in each

other’s arms and heard everything that Andres
and Marina talked that caused her to die.
 Literary Text

Genre: Playwright (Realistic Fiction)

Type: Fiction
 Character/ Characterization
• Gabriela – The wife.
• Andres – The husband.
• Marina – Sister of Gabriela.
• Don Narciso – Their Uncle.
• Luisa – a family friend.
• Flores – thought to slander Andres
• Charito – acquaintance
 Setting

• Place: Manila
• Time: Five o’clock in the afternoon, April 1917.
 Type of Setting

• Character Revealed by Setting

• Atmospheric Settings
 Type of Plot

• Tragedy
• Parallel Plot
 Plot Techniques

• Flashback
• Foreshadowing
 Conflict and Types of Conflict

• Major Conflict – Andres was in denial about

his relationship with Marina.
• Minor Conflict – Gabriela’s sickness
 Types of Conflict

• Man vs. Man

• Man vs. Society
 Point of View

• Third Person Point of View

(Omniscient Limited.)
 Tone

• Tone: Upset, dryly, annoyed, and

defensive.
 Mood

• Irritating, suspicious, and serious.

 Diction and Writing Style

• Dialogue – words spoken by the characters.

• Language: English (Formal and jargon.)
 Theme

• The martyr and the betrayer

 Literary Devices

• Imageries: Auditory, Tactile, Visual, and Kinesthesia

imagery
• Symbols: Saturn, sword of Damocloes, straight jacket
 Critical Approaches Used

• Formalistic
• Archetypal
• Biographical
• Sociological
• Philosophical