Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

July 11, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Topical/Historical Approach

“The Sadness Collector” highlights the traditional culture of the Philippines in the

field of migration. It is authored by the Filipino-Australian teacher and author Merlinda

Bobis (born 1959). Basically, the story has come to life because Bobis is an immigrant

herself. Since her works usually focus on the country’s culture, this piece is an epitome

of Filipino’s concern with the ones who have been deceived and who have been left

behind. Though Filipino labor migrants have kept the Philippine economy afloat and are

considered as heroes, this writing implies family fiasco behind the life overseas.
Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

October 8, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Structuralist Approach

Written by Filipino authors, Merlinda Bobis’ “Sadness Collector” is compared to

Jose Garcia Villa’s “Footnote to Youth” vis-à-vis theme. Both foreground the Philippine’s

perennial problem in terms of socio-economic status. In the former, it is from the family’s

poor condition that the mother probably goes out with some lucrative man to uplift

herself, while in the latter; Dodong’s life is totally deteriorating as he chooses to marry

early sans the thought of the financial circumstances ahead. The stories focus on the

family problems as far as the paternal character is concerned. They tackle about

fatherly struggles although nothing from their actions seem to solve the conflict. The

stories end with anguish and both male characters are wrapped with desolation as they

have nothing more to do about their respective star-crossed fate. Moreover, these

famous writings gives realization that married life is mercurial and complicated.
Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

October 12, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Archetypal/Symbolic/Mythic

Approach

In “The Sadness Collector,” Rica is viewed as a damsel in distress. She is

believed to be so because of the fact that she has been chained to the reality

where time is the only prospect to save her from the pandemonium she

experiences. In the narrative, the world itself acts as the cage. There strikes a

plethora of confusion or struggles from other people that also affected the main

character – her mother’s infidelity and her father’s predicament. Furthermore,

‘Big Lady’ symbolizes temporary comfort – a temporary escape from sadness

she (Rica) has long kept. In time, Rica probably saves herself. She founds out

soon when she grows up.

Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

July 16, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Reader – Response Approach

The “Sadness Collector” reveals situations of families whose members are said

to be happily working abroad. They are always the talk of the neighbors. They are said

to be lucky because they earn dollars. Even others enviously draw their resentment

towards them with subtle reasons – which is ridiculous. Along with the gossip lurking in

each corner are the talks about the secretive acts by a certain husband or wife which

the family remains unaware of. Then the truth is revealed and the family gets

annihilated. This is the setup of migration here in the Philippines. The ones left behind

are always left behind.

Bobis’ captivating work, although too clever to be understood by common

readers, is extremely poignant because the father has done almost everything just to

become a perfect parent. I see how he has been so noble although it is unlikely for a

man to stay at home. This is a total agony. Why are there women who choose their

personal interests over their families? I go ballistic over the issue because our country

treats it as natural. Annulment has been easy as giving pancakes and divorce law is

making its own way to an obviously underdeveloped country. I think that what the

Philippines faces today in the field of migration needs a very serious attention. I do not

know what procedures the government needs to take to alleviate this pandemonium. In
the story, not only the couple is affected but also the child who is going to be influenced

these experiences when she grows up.

Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

July 13, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Moral/Intellectual Approach

“The Sadness Collector” is woven on how a dire consequence takes place to a

family whose maternal member works abroad. Everything is at stake because it means

a struggle on the father, who with no choice assumes the motherly responsibility.

However, it does not discourage the mother to seize opportunities overseas. Long

distance relationship results to infidelity. This turmoil has long been haunting some

Filipino families in the context of migration.

Even though the Philippines is dominated by Christianity, the values taught by

the doctrine have not fully sunk in. indeed, Filipinos venture across the globe for the

financial stability of their family but they tend to forget who they are. Bobis’ story is just

one aspect of the many problems the country faces today. So who is to blame?
Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

October 24, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Critical/Formalist Approach

Not only is “The Sadness Collector” a story with identifiable odds and ends –

characters whether flat or round, POV whether first person or so on – but also if to be

contemplated, much is given emphasis. Its allegorical content represents the

contemporary Filipino families. One figure is that of a corpulent woman called Big Lady -

an imaginary character that symbolizes relief. As belonging to a nation where everyone

is fleeing across the globe, the ones left behind seek for themselves solution from

terrible longing. One example is the case of Rica. Furthermore, reiterated in the

narrative is a familiar word “legal”. This is what happens when an immigrant has finally

and successfully been a citizen to the country he is working. This one symbolizes

moving on. Basically, it is an exciting thing to the families left at home; ergo, they move

to that country where one member works. Nevertheless, in Bobis’ perspective is an

antagonistic twist because the maternal member herself makes everything come

undone. This story is poignant to the extent that one’s love of life seemingly becomes

coquettish in exchange of a luxurious life.

Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

October 24, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Deconstructionist Approach

“The Sadness Collector” is a story that hides deep emotions as well as

ambiguous actions from the characters that one is left with rumination. It is analogous to

a jigsaw puzzle one has to put together – the covert Big Lady, the poignant longing of

Rica, and the father’s equivocal accusations. If based literally upon the text, never is it

mentioned that the baby on the picture is his wife’s. As it is only told “…she sent one of

herself and the baby of her new employer.” Why is the mother not guilty sending such?

Why send it anyway if it causes the family’s annihilation? Is that how immature she is?

Many a question comes to life as the ending approaches. Even so, never is the author

omniscient and reveal the woman’s (mother) side. Another issue is the father’s

questionable assurance that his wife is coming to get Rica. Has he been sober, he

might have found an answer to his skepticism. After all, he is only a father afraid of

losing his single-handedly raised sweetheart.

Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

July 13, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Feminist Approach

In “The Sadness Collector,” it is palpable that the wife acts as the breadwinner

while the husband is left at home to take care of their only child. It is implied that the

husband is indolent on his responsibility as the pillar of his home. Although there has

been an emerging thrust for women empowerment, that they are also capable of

strenuous jobs, Philippine culture values much the role of women as the light in the

family. Their essence is on making sure children are illuminated by their motherly

affection. But in Bobis’ narrative, things happen the other way around. Albeit the mother

in the story fails to execute her conjugal vow which is not to indulge in any form of

adultery, it is notable that the husband’s inability to run the family is the root cause of

the conflict. The wife is just definitely a victim. Worse, she is even her own husband’s

victim. The role of a woman in the narrative is not pedestalized but rather demeaned.
Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

July 20, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Economic Determinist/Marxist

The proletarian condition of the Philippines remains a global stigma the story

“The Sadness Collector” subtly emphasizes. Indeed, its focal point is on the sentimental

value of the family – especially that Filipinos are known to have strong family ties;

however, hidden beneath the narrative lies the country’s odorous reputation in the

aspect of migration. Bobis simply tries to raise the utterance “Look what have you done

to your people?” the real antagonist is not the mother but the economy itself. What

causes Filipinos to flee overseas? It has been a traditional dream for every average

Filipino to work abroad, but in return, many an OFW in the social media inveighs

situation he faces over his chosen country. How the story turns into a seemingly sad

and annoying ending depicts a dilemma made by the Philippine government not by the

family.
Lagare, Ronald Sebastien

BSED – English 4

July 13, 2018

The Sadness Collector: An Analysis Using the Psychological/Psychoanalytic Approach

All throughout the story, Rica has been obviously longing for her mother – the

main reason of her nocturnal sadness. However, she then learns to control her emotion

when her father introduces her his effective trick – the myth of Big Lady. The innocence

is a value a child like Rica recognizes in her age; that is why she has been preoccupied

by some instances when she fails to give compassion to the fat one. Children at this

age normally manifest a high sense of curiosity; thus, Rica always tries to contemplate

Big Lady’s clandestine operations.

The story accentuates a child’s life amidst having a parent working overseas.

This takes a tremendous adjustment. This implants trust issue. How does the child

adapt to these situations? Once the child learns the reality behind the picture which is

expectedly an another conflict, how does she even move on? As a part of her

development, Rica is yet to know the underlying answers her mind seeks to open.