“The Other Woman” by Virgilio Samonte

The Other Woman, by Virgilio Samonte, is a short story that set out a fray-like relationship between spouse and mistresses. The Other Woman is written in narrative form, where the author used excessive aesthetic words to define the situations, emotions, and the settings effectively, which able the author to portray a catchy story. Also, Samonte used dialogues to help his reader pertains to the plot of the story as there own. The Other Woman is a story that gives a viewpoint on a possible happening inside a household and inside marriage relationship. Virgilio Samonte is also an award-winning Filipino writer who resides in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Samonte’s The Other Woman won third place in Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature for English division.

In this analysis, the critics will use the Formalism Approach to anatomize the different perspective of what the author wants to impart. Using a Formalism Approach will lead the readers to a new point of view in apprehending the story. In Formalism Approach, according to Stephen Matterson(1990), the main focus is on the arrangement of language, rather than on the implications of the words, or on the biographical and historical relevance of the work in question.Also as cited by Robert Penn Warren(1935), that a literature is a valid source of knowledge that cannot be communicated in terms other than its own which gives us the idea that a literary piece should be analyzed on how it was written through the use of lexical items and the author’s writing style. In this analysis, the critics will address three parcels of elements in the story. The breaks down will focus on the theme of the story which the author wants to convey, also how the author shaped his character to mold a strong foundation for his purpose, and lastly, how the author portrayed his conflict that will show-off his message.

Samonte’s theme for his The Other woman is exposed in different ways. Nevertheless, the primary theme that is being pinpointed could be “Love, in different forms, is never-ending”. In a formalism Approach, the critics could say that the author show-off his theme in three ways by the use of the characters and narrowing it into one subject, extramarital affair. In the story, the author first disports his theme when Nana Cecilia (the wife) took good care of his husband who is already bedridden even the fact that her husband betrayed her many time. Nana Cecilia showed her unending affection to her husband when she still sleeps together with him despite the fact that her husband is very sick and weak. Another way of disporting the story’s theme is seen in Nana Cora. Nana Cora surrendered her feelings for the husband and choose to go away. Even though she didn’t ask about the condition of the husband, it was evident that she still cares when she walks away looking frail and forlorn. Lastly, the never-ending love as what the theme says is seen in Loida. It was when she promulgate their relationship between her and the husband. Loida’s affection is long lasting because even though the husband is already weak, shes still there watching and working as a maid.

Samonte’s character in his The Other Woman was shaped perfectly to mold a strong foundation for his purpose. There are many characters in the story but only three characters possess the traits of being a protagonist. In a formalism approach, the critics have discovered that the three main characters are Nana Cecilia, Nana Cora, and Loida. Nana Cecilia is described as a devoted wife to her dying husband and a strong-willed woman. Even though she was being two-timed by her husband, she still remains in love and protected and fight against those treat in their marriage. Nana Cecilia, still sleep with her husband neglecting the fact that she may catch the illness of her husband. Nana Cora, on the other hand, is described as a relative of Nana Cecilia who turned out to be a mistress of the husband. But Nana Cora gave up her relationship towards the husband over to Nana Cecilia, since it is the right thing to do and she chose to go away. In contrast, Loida is describe as a young, sexy and wears a seductive shorts apparels. Loida is considered to be one of the main characters since she turned out to be another mistress of the husband when she announces their love affair at the end.

Samonte’s The Other Woman portrayed a man vs. man conflict to show-off his message. Since the story talks about relationship and another relationship with one denominator, which is the husband, powers struggle occur between wife and mistresses. In a formalism approach, the critics lunge up the in the in-depth thought of the author why he creates a man vs. man conflict to reprimand the readers about the subject of the story. There are three opposing forces seen in the story: Nana Cora against Nana Cecilia against Loida. In the story, Nana Cecilia fought against all the mistresses of her husband just to rescue their dying relationship, which the author finds it rightful because the author is thinking that Nana Cecilia is the legal wife.

The Other Woman of Virgilio R. Samonte, is a story foretelling an extraordinary relationship. In using a formalism approach the critics had ascertained that The Other Woman’s story is a story showing an endless love even in amid betrayal. The critics decipher that the author theme which he wants to foretell is the “Love, in different forms, is never-ending”. The author is implying that in right or in the wrong person love is lasting when it is true. The author had imparted his purpose with the use of his characters: Nana Cecilia, Nana Cora, and Loida. The characters were portrayed best to mold the purpose of the author. The Other Woman Story showed a man vs. man conflict where three opposing forces struggle to win what they think theirs. The Other Woman story is a story that reminds us that, love is not just a simple subject. It could be in any form, yet it’s only unending when you love unconditionally.