Literary Criticism On Visitation of The Gods

Literary Criticisms on “The Visitation of the Gods” By Gilda Cordero- Fernando
WRITE A CRITICAL LITERARY ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT STORY The Visitation of the Gods. Limit approaches to
three. Follow the outline. (50 pts.)
I. Summary
The story revolves around Pugad Lawin High School, a small school in a remote area
which is about to be visited by District and Division Supervisors for the purposes of inspection
and evaluation. The spotlight was then subtly turned to one of its teachers, Miss Noel of the
English Department. She is described by Mr. Sawit, the new English supervisor, as a headstrong
individual. Whereas Ms. Noel was just living up to her ideals.
In the story, we can see an in-depth conversation between the person in power Mr Sawit
and the oppressed lower working-class Ms. Noel.
II. Background
The author Gilda Cordero- Fernando was born in June 1932 in Manila. She had a B.A.
from St. Theresa’s College Manila and an M.A. from the Ateneo de Manila University. She is a
multi-awarded writer, publisher and cultural icon. She also founded GCF Books which published
a dozen titles that deal with various aspects of Philippine culture and society.
“The Visitation of the Gods” is a literary piece that showcase how Filipinos prepare
whenever visitors are coming, most especially those people who are in power.
III. Literary Criticisms
1. Formalistic Approach
Characters: Ms. Noel- English Teacher; Mr. Sawit- new English Supervisor; Mr. Olbes- Pugad
Lawin’s Principal; Mrs. Olbes- wife of Mr. Olbes; Mrs. Divinagracia- HE Instructor; Ms.
Santos- PE Instructor; Mr. del Rosario- Military Tactics; Mr. Alava- one of the Superintendents;
Mr. Ampil- former English Supervisor; Leon- student; Other District and Division Supervisors
and other unnamed teachers from different subject areas
Setting: At Pugad Lawin High School, before and during the visit of the district and division
supervisors
Plot:
Exposition: The story begins with a letter announcing the upcoming visitation of the District and
Division Supervisor for the purposes of inspection and evaluation in Pugad Lawin High School.
Rising Action: The teaching staff and the students were divided into groups, appointed to
designated areas of responsibilities.
Climax: The visitation was successful. But, a frank conversation occurred between the English
teachers Ms. Noel and the new English Superintendent Mr. Sawit.
Falling Action: Ms. Noel came to realize that those who sacrifice themselves for their job and for
the good of others would still end up getting nothing. As she looked at the eyes of the students
Leon who is very willing to become a lawyer someday, she felt something within her.
Denouement: The story ended with the supervisors packing their belongings and getting ready to
leave. Everybody took a photo for a souvenir. Miss Noel was late but hurried to take her place
with pride and humility on the lowest rank of the school’s hierarchy.
2. Marxist Approach
One of the themes that we can imply from this short story is that “equality is difficult to
achieve”. In most cases, people in power are given the most importance than the minority. In
“The Visitation of the Gods”, we can see here the impact of the hierarchy of powers among the
teachers, principals and supervisors.
It is notable that the author used the term “gods” to represent the supervisors and
superintendents who are supposed to visit the school for inspection and evaluation purposes only.
The exaggeration of the term implies the power and impact of the people in position and how the
people in the lower ranks responded to their coming.
Here, we can see that there is a subtle oppression happening. At the end of the story, the
author mentioned: “Mr. Buenaflor fetched a camera and they all posed on the sunny steps for a souvenir
photo: the superintendent with Mr. and Mrs. Olbes on either side of him and the minor gods in
descending order on the Home Economics stairs. Miss Noel was late - but she ran to take her place with
pride and humility on the lowest rung of the school's hierarchy.” The author is giving us a clear picture on
how the people in power are treated best, but we can also picture out how the people in the lower classes
strive hard to stand for their ideals.
3. Feministic Approach
One of the major characters mentioned in the story is the female protagonist Ms. Noel.
Ms. Noel embodies a characteristic unique from all other characters in the story who just
compromised with the culture happening in schools. One of the characters, Mr. Sawit described
her as a “headstrong individual”. It is evident in the story on how much she courageously
responded towards the oppressive words Mr. Sawit threw towards her. Mr. Sawit even said,
"They all do. There are thousands of teachers. They're mostly disillusioned but they go on
teaching -it's the only place for a woman to go." Despite of those harsh words, Ms. Noel still
displayed a strong trait living up to her own ideals in life despite of the kind of surroundings she
has.
Stranger Danger
Hands clenched tight

Nightmares that seek her at night
The genuine smile he once gave
Now to her is a delirious pain
That naïve son and the gullible daughter

The painful suffering of the mother
Because of that one 'danger'
A tragic err that is a pity to the ear
As for the concerned gossipers

Amicable reliance to strangers
Is nonetheless leaving your sheep
To a ram-dressed wolf!

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Literary Criticisms on “The Visitation of the Gods” By Gilda Cordero- Fernando

Hands clenched tight

That naïve son and the gullible daughter

As for the concerned gossipers

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