In Preludes by Daryll Delgado, the story shows Nenita's quiet strength in dealing with her unfaithful husband. From this story, I learned how important it is to stay strong and calm in difficult situations. It highlights the struggles women face in a society where men have more power. Personally, it reminded me of times when keeping my cool in arguments helped avoid bigger problems. The most noticeable trait in Nenita is her quiet determination. Even though she is treated badly, she keeps doing her responsibilities without complaining, showing great strength. Her silence doesn’t mean weakness but shows her ability to endure hardship while keeping her dignity.
The author uses literary tools to add meaning to the story. Irony is shown when the judge’s widow, who is meant to represent justice, has an affair with Nenita’s husband. Symbolism appears in the medicinal leaves, which represent both life and death, and foreshadowing hints at the husband’s death. These elements make the story more interesting. The main theme of Preludes is about gender inequality and the expectations society puts on women. By looking at it through a feminist perspective, we can see how Nenita's silence represents how women are often expected to endure unfairness quietly. This happens in real life too, where women’s voices are silenced or ignored.
In conclusion, Preludes by Daryll Delgado shows the strength of women like Nenita who face an unfair world with quiet courage. Through tools like irony, symbolism, and foreshadowing, the story shows the struggles women face in a male-dominated society. Looking at it from a feminist point of view, I understood the message about gender inequality and how silence can be powerful. Preludes teaches us that sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
References:
Oxfam Pilipinas. (2024). "Inequalities in the Philippines."
Retrieved from https://oxfam.org.ph
United Nations Women. (2023). "Gender Equality."
Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org
