Manuel Arguilla Works – Famous Literary Works and Contributions

Here are the Manuel Arguilla works and read some of his literary pieces below.

MANUEL ARGUILLA WORKS – These are the works of Ilocano writer Manuel Arguilla the one who wrote: “How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife”.

The story How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife received first place in the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940 and most of his stories depict scenes in the place where he was born, Barrio Narebcan, Bauang, La Union.

Manuel Arguilla

He married Lydia Villanueva, a talented writer just like him. However, when war with the Japanese started, he got captured. He was imprisoned with his family and in 1944, at the age of 33, he got executed at Fort William McKinley which is now known as Fort Bonifacio.

Here’s a list of some of his works:

  • Midsummer
  • Morning in Nagrebcan
  • Ato
  • Heat
  • A Son Is Born
  • The Strongest Man
  • How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife
  • Mr. Alisangco
  • Though Young He Is Married
  • The Maid, the Man, and the Wife
  • Elias
  • Imperfect Farewell
  • Felisa
  • The Long Vacation
  • Caps and Lower Case
  • The Socialists
  • Epilogue to Revolt
  • Apes and Men
  • Rice

The summary of his famous How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife short story from English Summary post:

Leon and his wife Maria are about to return to Leon’s village after getting married. They had met in the city and Maria has never lived in a village. They are greeted by Baldo, Leon’s younger sibling, as their horse carriage stops outside the village.

Baldo welcomes the new member of the family. He is impressed by her beauty and soft feature. He observes her nice fragrance and radiant smile. He ties their bull, named Labang, to the cart and Leon hauls their trunk on it.

Baldo encourages Maria to touch Labang’s hair and horns. She is awestruck at Labang’s strength and horns. Leon helps her on the cart and she sits on a bale of husk. They start their journey and Leon has the reins.

After going a little further, Baldo takes the reins and takes a sudden route change into the rocky road of Waig and surrounding fields. Leon enquiries about the change of route and Baldo assures him that he is only following their father’s orders.

Baldo and Leon both question Maria about her views about their village, fields, and rocky roads. She is enthralled by the natural beauty and simple lifestyle. She condemns the sheer number of vehicles and noise in the city.

She loves the starry and clear skies over the lush fields. She and Leon even start to sing a song that Leon was taught by his father about the sowed fields under clear skies. They meet a couple of people after coming out of the fields but not many as most people avoid using the fields after dark.

They finally reach their house and are welcomed by Leon’s mother and sister. They are smiling and excited. Leon inquires about his father who is in his room struggling with leg pain (injured in the revolution).

Baldo goes to tie Labang and when he returns he finds Maria talking and crying with his mother and sister. He hears his father’s call and goes to meet him.

His father questions Maria’s conduct and her behavior throughout their journey to the house. It was a test designed to see if she can adjust and accept the life of the village and make it her home.

Baldo reassures him about her life for Leon and her commitment to their marriage. He confirms his observation that Maria was ready to embrace their house as her home.

Their conversation is disturbed as the new couple enters to meet with the father. Baldo leaves the room giving them some space with the head of the family.

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