A Feminist Approach to Severino Montano’s Sabina

IV-12 BSE ENGLISH                                        

PROF. MA. CONCEPCION Y. RAYMUNDO

S ENG 26 – LIT. CRIT.

A Feminist Approach to Severino Montano’s Sabina

        Outside love, all is death (p. 98). This is one of those heartfelt lines that Sabina assumed before she chose to end her misery. Many readers, or even critics, would say that her decision is a form of cowardice. She decided to end her depression by escaping and leaving everything behind; thus, letting her emotions cloud her logical judgment. Nonetheless, if deeply examined, one has to consider the strength of Sabina in facing her struggles and difficulties alone, her patience to wait regardless of the uncertainties, and even her determination to pursue love. This reflects the principles of feminism which are concerned with the silencing and marginalization of women in a patriarchal culture - a culture organized in the favor of men (Guerin et al., 2005). The narrative depicts the unnerving reality that life is constructed or shattered through experiences, and therefore one must choose whether to survive or not. However, Severino Montano’s Sabina portrays women’s implicit vigor and undaunted loyalty despite spiteful perceptions and unfavorable circumstances which can be analyzed using Feminist Approach.

        Great esteem and courage of women are blatant in the narrative. As a typical young woman, Sabina is expected to be modest, reserved, and upright based on the preconceived notions of what a woman should do and be. She just lost her mother at the onset of the story and people expect her to mourn. Yet, while her relatives are still grieving, Sabina still appreciates the beauty of nature which is tantamount to appreciating what is left in life; a simple deed of moving on which is a proof of her inner strength towards difficult circumstances. Correspondingly, Sabina stood out on what she thinks is right despite the disapproval of her family. Many people think that she is immoral, that she is just instinctively acting on impulse. But, as she tried to prove them wrong, she took all the blames, faced the consequences, and valiantly pursued a decision; an act that even the bravest person would think multiple times for how valuable life is.

The faithfulness of women to what they believed in can also be seen in the story. People all over the town are gossiping about Sabina and Mr. George, yet she managed to remain still; unflinching to what other people might say for it is her genuine  love that matters. Until the end, when Sabina made the toughest decision of her life, she still rely and trust Mr. George saying; I shall be waiting, Mr. George… on a sand hill by the sea… I shall be waiting forever (p.99). This only attests women’s fidelity and reliability when it comes to relationship – standing firm on what they hope and love.

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