Our Group project in 21st Literature
The Doll by Egmidio Enriquez
It is the story of a boy who has been brought
up wrongly: treated like a girl by his mother, allowed #to play
with a doll, made to wear long curls. The story is about
the boy's prolonged struggle to assert his manhood, and to
achieve final emancipation and maturity.
This story was awarded third prize because it was
voted first place by Mr. Locsin, third by Mr. Castro. It
received no note from Mr. Yabes. I agree with Mr. Yabes
4. EmigdioAlvarez Enriquez
- was born in the year 1925. He is a Filipinoby birth.He started
writingat the age of 20. He is a novelist, story writer, and
playingwith.Among his famous literaryworks are Blood on
the Moon, A tale of Two Houses, Cachil Kudarat(Sultanof
Mindanao)or CachilCorrala, and Labaw, Donggon. All of this
short stories wonpalangcaawardsin the year.
5. Elementary andSecondary at Ateneo de Zamboanga.Gained
his A.B. at ArellanoUniversity. Went on to study and gaina
"Master ofFine Arts Degree in Creative Writing"at the state
Universityof lawathough an International Scholarshipand a
FulbrightGrant. Earneda Guggenheim Fellowshipwhichhe
used to travel aroundEurope.He then studiedin the
UniversidadCentral de Madridona Zobelde AyalaGrant. His
short stories began to appear in countlesspublicationas early
as 1939.
9. Plot Synopsis
Don Edong is accusing his wifeDoña Enchangfor giving
theirson Boy a doll to play with.Don Edong as described as
very macho and brags of the"red blood" of masculinityhe has
passed along to his son. He is angry with his wife as she fears
by giving theboy a doll and lettinghis hair grow long she is
makinghimless manly thanhe should be. Of course this is
just disguised a fear on thepart of the father thatthe boy
mightgrow into a homosexualbecause hewas given a doll to
play with.
10. Boy/Narcisoages andhekeeps feminine waysandhis
father constantlyharshlycriticizes him andsays he is apoor
son. Don Edongtalks tohis wife abouthowwill the boyever
run or evenhavehis onfamily. Ina scene thathas beenplayed
outmillions oftimes, whenthe boymatures tothepointa girl
does takea romanticinterestin him,oncealonewithher, in
order todowhathe things amanshould basedonhis father's
teaching,he totallybrutalizes thewoman.
11. Once throughwithher he basicallywalksout,insulting her
ashe leaves. Itis notmadereal clearwhathedoes toher butit
looks like he forced himself in anabusive fashionon awoman
whowas perfectly willingtohavesex withhim. Boywas eager
totell hisfatherof the manlywayhe conductedhimselfanda
cycle ofabuseis perpetuated.
15. Climax
One dayBoy`s motherwas thehostfor the comingof
Our Ladyof Fatimain TownbecauseDoñaEnchangwas
electedas chairmanof the receptioncommittee.Narciso
wanttocuthis hair becausehethink thatLadyof Fatima
wouldrecognizehim as aGirl. ButwhentheLadyof
Fatimawascome thebishoplaida handonBoy’s head
andBoy immediatelyshot upintomanhood.His chest
filled out,his arms grew thick,andhis strides stretchedas
long asthegiant’sof the seven-leagueboots.
16. FallingAction
Afterthatscene Boybecomea different person.
When he was nineteen and graduatedfro highschool,he
toldhis motherthathe wantedtowed totheMotherof
Godmeans he wanttobecome apriest buthis father
Don Endong opposedit. He convincedhis father butstill
his fatherdo notwanthim tobecome a priest.
17. Conclusion
Because of theconflict he decide to go sea shore ,where
he was found a woman. heforced himself in an abusive
fashionon a womanwho was perfectly willingto have sex
with him. After thatTwo mengrabbed him and dragged him
out intothe street.Angry cries and curses followed him. But
as hefelt theclean air of morning sweep against his face.
18. Conflict
Theconflict ofthestory wasmanvs man since it
was boyandhis father andmother whohad
misunderstandingregarding boyidentity.There wasn’t
any problemwithsociety aroundthe boy.
19. Theme
The themeof the story is about thelovingparents.
And their perspectivetowards the son or daughter they
want. As always the mother is always want to have a
daughter so that they can have bondingeveryday. And
alsoa fatherwant a son to be the one whocan
continuehis legacy.The story tackles thefamily
relationshipand the traditions,beliefsof their own
religion.Familyand religionis the centerof the story
thedoll.
20. Symbolism
• It symbolizesthe appearance ofthe son because
of his mother wanted to behim.But it is not the
reason whythe sonshouldnot followwhat he
wanted to do.
21. Plot Device
there is no plot device thatis used in the story.
Type of Point of View
thetype of point of view thatis used is thirdperson omniscient.
because it started withHe and theperson knows whatis going to
happen to thecharacters and whatare thethoughtsof one's
character.
22. Type of Plot
The type of plotthatis usedis classical plot.
because it beginsby introducingthe character
then the protagonist who is narciso also known
as boyencountereda conflictbecause ofhis look
or the way his mother treat him.
23. References
• “Egmidio Alvarez Enriquez” retrieved on December
17,2017 from
http://redgiecabalida.blogspot.com
• “The Reading Life” retrieved on December 17,2017
fromhttp://rereadinglives.blogspot.com/2012/12/t
he-doll-by-egmidio-enriquez.html
• “The Best Philippine Short Story” retrieved on
December 17,2017 from
http://www.sushidog.com/bpss/stories/doll.htm
24. List of Members
• Lizelle Ajero
• Trishia Mae Basa
• JenniferCarreon
• Maxine Joschel Edu
• Justine Jay Endaya
• MarjorieEspiritu
• SophiaLacson
• Denise Roxas
• Allyssa Serano
• Carl AngeloBernabe