“𝐀 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐝’𝐬 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐚” 𝙱𝚢: 𝙶𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚙 1
INTRODUCTION:
Sweet Summer by Cyan Abad-Jugo is a delectable work on youth love and bittersweetness in memories. A Filipino writer, Cyan Abad, is well known for expressing the complexity of personal and cultural identity, most of the time commenting on the conflict between tradition and modernity. Here, in Sweet Summer, she works on growing-up themes, how time goes with the flux, and how family connections and love interests determine our selfness. It unfolds against the changing summer that takes life through small incidences that last to change a life in unexpected ways. Abad's vivid characters and rich tale remind us of the significant power of memories, love, and family.
SUMMARY:
During an afternoon of the summer season by the village's water tank. Sara and her friends Camellia and Faye were sharing and enjoying some sweets. Until a boy named Frederick and his Doberman, Dolby, visit their spot and Sara befriends him. Unlike her friends, who are judging the boy, Sara is happy with him. They walk together to a different area of the village to have memorable moments. However, Frederick’s older brother, Felix, interrupted their time together. He asked his younger brother to participate in his search for better girls, expressing his distaste for Sara in a harsh tone. The two brothers left the area, leaving behind the girl. Sadly, Frederick didn't look back at her as he was leaving, and it was only Dolby who turned to her to lick its nose.
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
BIOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT:
It is crucial to understand Cyan Abad-Jugo as a person to relate to the story deeply. Thus, this section, Analysis and Interpretation, will provide a detailed description of who she is and how she is important to analyze the story. Born in 1972, Cyan Abad-Jugo is a Filipino writer, novelist, and teacher. She is the daughter of Gemino Abad, who is considered to be one of the forefronts of Philippine literature in English-language literature, having written literature works like Man of Earth (1989) and A Native Clearing (1993) between 1905 and the 1990s. Cyan Abad majored in English literature and graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City at 19 years old. She was seen as an active member of Heights, a literacy organization of the university that gives young writers like her a platform to express her love for writing. Which helped her to deepen her passion for writing and literature during her time there. She went to Simmons College in Boston, the United States, for her graduate studies. She obtained her master's degree in children's literature here. Additionally, she studied under N.V.M. Gonzales, known for articulating the presence of the Filipino spirit in both rural and urban environments, while Cyan Abad-Jugo pursued her PhD in English Studies: Creative Writing and Anglo-American Literature at UP Diliman. Other authors like Luis Katigbak, Dean Alaf, and Nikki Alfar also had a significant influence on her writing. However, these writers are different from each other. The expression of Filipino identity and emotional effect is one common element that is seen that affected her writing. Together with her father, Abad-Jugo published a book in 1996 titled “Father and Daughter: The Figures of Our Speech.” Although it was her final book, published in September 2016, she is currently an assistant professor in the English department.
The following demonstrates how her life’s significant events shaped her writing style. While there are limited sources that explain why she wrote Sweet Summer, which was released in 2004. The inspiration can be seen from her earlier writings. Which share a similar theme as the story. From an interview with “Behind the Books” that talks about the said book, Salingkit. She claims that when she was younger, British and Irish bands that wrote songs on various concepts such as friendship, identity, and personal growth influenced her. She also claims that her parents were the greatest influences on her decision to take a career in children’s and young adult books. Her mother enrolled her in a book club so she could read the various children’s books written by well-known authors like Dr. Seuss that fill the shelves of her home in UP village. According to her, “I remember reading all of them and clamoring for more” expressing her love for writing works of literature in this specific genre.
Additionally, Sweet Summer’s plot aligns well with Cyan Abad’s life. The narrative relates to her growth as a person. It conveys Sara’s experience throughout the book. Who recognizes the difference between childhood and adulthood. Other characteristics like Frederick, who creates a cheerful and vibrant environment for Sarah. While his brother Felix expresses, in a way, an atmosphere of a hostile environment. Even though Sweet Summer’s plot is fictional. It illustrates Cyan Abad’s perspective on growing up. We must recall her passion for literature since even as a teenager she was inspired by a variety of authors and family members. Her goal is to relate with the readers, particularly the young adults who are struggling in life. For this reason, even though the story is fictional. We see Sara as a representation of Cyan Abad. Expressing a feeling of nostalgia for the youth. Learning how her character differs from that of older individuals while seeing how one's character, whether young or old, may be impacted by outside influences from different generations. Thus, every event that occurred to Cyan Abad is depicted not only in Sweet Summer but in other of her literary works.
LINGUISTIC CONTEXT:
In Sweet Summer, Cyan Abad reveals the themes of impermanence; therefore, the instances of happiness as represented by warmth and the freedom of the summer season only last for so long. Bittersweet becomes the taste with every poem read in that sense that one has to enjoy the moments of life. The speaker is reflecting on the delight of summer, but this realization that it will soon pass creates an internal conflict between the indulgence in the moment and the acceptance of its passing. Symbols like the golden sun and breeze capture both the beauty of summer and its transience, which deepens the nostalgic tone. Sweet Summer isn't just a backdrop; it frames the entire poem with all its associations of freedom and abandon and its reminder that things change. In the end, the speaker comes to realize this, moving the poem beyond the enjoyment of summer into a level of relatability and emotional power. It’s a reminder of how we all wish we could hold on to life’s sweetest moments just a little longer.
SOCIOCULTURAL CONTEXT:
Sweet Summer has a few social issues tied to what it’s like living in the rural parts of the Philippines, like how traditions are preserved among generations and generations of people even with modern influences and how different generations have different values and morals on what they think is right. The story also hints at the drawbacks of rural life, where resources are limited and how community dynamics differ. Sweet Summer emphasizes the importance of cherishing relationships among people and appreciating where you came from, amongst other things. Sweet Summer encourages the readers to reflect on how time passes and the memories you share with other people. It also shows how rural societies are resilient and adaptable when faced with change and modernization and how each and every one of us evolves and grows into the best versions of ourselves. Sweet Summer heavily references family traditions, like how we share meals with each other and how we share each of our experiences with each other, showing how cultural practices connect each person together to their roots. Sweet Summer also puts clear descriptions of rural landscapes and communities as the “highlight of life in the province” and how it shaped each person in the story.
IV. EMOTIONAL RESPONSE
As a group, our favourite aspect about Sweet Summer is that, despite its slice-of-lice atmosphere, it allows for interpretation due to its significance and meaning within the characters, relationships, and setting. The styles that were used in the structure and words allowed us, the readers, to read and understand it easily. Though we could not understand the deeper perspective of the story; we understood the story’s direction. Furthermore, the story resonates with us because it captures the time when we are in a dilemma between a child’s and a teen’s thinking. Attempting to comprehend what is right and wrong on each side, like the protagonist Sara, she doesn't fully grasp the character of Frederick and Felix’s character, especially when Frederick says “Don’t walk around here at night, especially not alone. People can jump at you like Dolby did.” This line is perceived as the act of people committing horrible things to other unfortunate people. Yet, Sara interpreted it as a friendship act, as seen by Sara wishing it was the body that had jumped at her and not the dog. Expressing our innocence on the dangerous scenarios as a child. Sweet summer clings to the memories of how things were simpler back then. However, just like other literary works, it might be improved in a few areas. With the story’s simple nature, its plot can be underwhelming at times. Likewise, the conflict and resolution are so sudden, even if the conclusion may be significant in presenting Sara’s perspective, it raises so many questions, “Why did Frederick change so abruptly? How did Sara feel? What happened to Camellia and Faye?” This is further impacted by the main character’s lack of development; it was never explained what both Sara and Frederick felt during the conclusion, allowing readers to interpret that crucial moment themselves.
Moreover, despite the mentioned flaws,. Because it expresses feelings of nostalgia for our carefree days and our lack of understanding of responsibility, the story is able to connect with us. Especially in our experiences as youth, even the most basic things make us feel more expressive. For instance, when Sara and Frederick are shown playing together, When he stood up, his lemony breath spread across her face, and her heart leapt as if she had been kissed. He didn’t let go of her hand either. He suddenly bowed and started to dance with her about it. It was a jerky sort of dance, with Dolby snapping at their heels. It ended just as abruptly, with grins spreading on both their faces.” This specific paragraph conveys the experience of the extent of our emotions during our childhood. Additionally, we would also be accompanied by a large number of friends; though the concept is not different from the current time of friends, the difference lies solely in character. Childhood friends are unique in their own way since they don't have the mindset of an adult seeking to take responsibility, which includes critical thinking, stability, and academics. But similar to the previous point. Since Children typically don’t worry about this principle at first, making friends early in life feels like a dream because they usually believe they are a very important part of their lives, as Sara and her two friends were seen in the story. The principle is also applied because Frederick’s behavior was judged by Camellia and Freya. Emphasizing the unique characteristics of being in your early ears. Ultimately, the narrative itself isnt bad in any way; it truly teaches us the significance of growing and cherishing those memories. It’s only a lost opportunity to guarantee the character’s growth during the unfortunate ending. However, despite its flaws, this narrative is still a masterpiece.
V. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Cyan Abad-Jugo’s Sweet Summer is more than a simple children's story. With the intentions of the author herself, she wants us, the youth, to engage with the story. We may hold on to the memories of the past, especially our carefree days of childhood, but we need to accept the inevitable process of growing up in a complex world. Not only in our physical form but also in maturing our character, responsibilities, and relationships. Furthermore, in the story, we see the perspective of a little girl who sees everything in a comforting manner. Only to realize in the end that the person she thought she would be friends with never aligned with her expectations in the first place. Ultimately, this story serves as a call for the need to understand empathy, growth, and self-awareness.
VI: UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS OF SOCIAL NORMS
Just as Sara explores the complexities of human connection, particularly between childhood and adulthood. Despite its youthful nature, the conflict reflects perfectly on modern society. Not just in the Philippines but globally as well. The beauty standards Felix expresses and Sara’s struggle with the complex truth of the relationship are two examples of how social issues follow the concept of “social norms.” While it allows improvement in one’s character based on the culture’s morality. Sometimes, they still have negative impacts. It influences our expectations as individuals, particularly in the period when most students are expected to meet greater academic milestones like honors and diligence, which may impact a portion of those who have negative external factors that interfere with their study life and negatively affect their overall mental health. Additionally, this can impact families who try to balance between their own values and what society expects of themselves and their kids, as social standards contribute to inequality and limit opportunities for oppressed people.
For instance, according to Timothy John et al. (2024) study on the interaction between religious beliefs and LGBTQ+ individuals in the Philippines, religious groups label homosexuality as morally wrong or sinful. Causing LGBTQ+ individuals to feel excluded, rejected, and marginalised within the nation. Their well-being is harmed by this stigma, which shows the relation to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. All of which result in self-harm. Additionally, according to the National Survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people (2024), 75% of LGBTQ+ youth in the Philippines consider self-harm, and 59% reported self-harm. Both cases were recorded in the past year. While there are various forms of how different people, even outside the LGBTQ+ community, are affected. The premise is similar, aiming to use cultural knowledge to express prejudices against those individuals, making them powerless and restricting them from discovering their skills and opportunities. The following demonstrates how social norms define accepted behaviors, may also lead to the exclusion that impacts one’s physical and mental health.
Ultimately, it is crucial to address and respond to social norms, as discrimination does not only affect one person or a small group. More so, most of the nation will be affected by status, development, and equality. To be more specific, when this issue causes challenges for marginalized groups, especially those living in poverty, according to Elizabeth Miller (2020), discrimination has been the cause of high poverty rates and restricted access to high-paying occupations, reduced self-esteem, psychological health, and well-being. With the main idea in mind, it is essential to recognize the significance of addressing this. The following consequences impact the basic foundations of a nation. Politics, culture, and society serve as the pillars of the said foundation. Our interactions with people, systems, and many more are influenced by these ideas. In particular, if one of these pillars were to be affected, it could lead to a sense of identity crisis and disconnection in our interpersonal relationships, alongside diminishing creativity, innovation, and resilience. Therefore, by supporting and respecting diverse cultures and individuals, fostering cultural awareness through education, and supporting human rights organizations. We can manipulate the concept of social norms. We may genuinely influence how people view one another in a way that embraces empathy and respect. This can redefine the expectations of society to create a more accepting society where everyone contributes, no matter how large or small it is, and is valued for their unique identities and abilities rather than being judged according to these strict norms.
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