Themes

ON RESOLVING CONFLICT

Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress as Gandhi would say. Differences in opinions among closely related characters are highly apparent all throughout the novel. Dealing with dissent is an inevitable challenge anyone must face. Titser portrays dissent as a deep grudge of a mother against her daughter’s ambition. Their diverging wills that span almost seven years of buried loathing (on the side of Aling Rosa) soon find rest in acceptance. And maybe, that simply shows that in time, all conflicts can conclude.

ON PURSUING GOALS

None can stop a man who wants to follow his will. Be it in fighting for one’s love for a person (Mauro and Amelita) or passion (Education), only a determined heart committed for relentless fighting for what it deems to be right for itself is necessary. Such is exhibited through Mauro and Amelita’s instant exchange of vows when Aling Rosa’s plan with Osmundo came to their knowledge. Moreover, this couple persists teaching in the humble classrooms of their local public school, imparting parts of them to hopeful pupils without a moment’s hesitation. All these echo one thing alone: goals are achievable when one wants them so.