Vince's Life

A story written byManuel Arguillaabout a manwho comes home to his province to introduce hiswife from the city to his family. This short storywon first prize in the Commonwealth LiteraryContest in 1940.

Manuel Arguilla (1911 to 1944) was from the big island of Luzon, in the north in Barrio Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union. He grew up speaking Ilokano, the third most spoken language in the Philippines. Most of his stories are about the common people in the small town he grew up in. After finishing high school he moved to the Manila area (this had to have been a two or three day at least commute in those days) to attend the University of the Philippines, not far from where I live, in fact. He received a B.S. in education, was president of the University literary club and married Lydia Villaneuva, another talented writer we hope to post on one day.

After graduation he taught creative writing at the University of Manila and also worked for the government at the Bureau of Public Welfare as the editor of their publication. He was a dedicated patriot and during the Japanese occupation he organized and led a secret intelligence organization against the Japanese and ended up being tortured to death by them.

"How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife" is a story about an occasion that would be a big day in the life of any family, the day one of the sons of the family brings hope the woman he intends to marry. The story is told in the first person by Leon's younger brother.

Baldo - younger brother of Leon, fetched Leon and Maria from the road to Nagrebcan

- was the one who narrated the story. He was the younger brother of Leon. He was an obedient, innocent and naive young boy.

Leon (or Noel) - older brother of Baldo who studied in Manila where he met his wife

. as the one who brought home a wife. He was a responsible, gentle and a loving husband

Maria - the beautiful and stunning wife of Leon from Manila

had been born and grew up in a big city. She was the wife of Leon. She was a supportive, creative and a loving wife.

Labang - the bull whom Baldo considers as his "pet"

Father- was the one who instructed Baldo on what he will do while he is on the road together with Leon and Maria. He made an ingenious way to find out if Maria is really worthy to live in a rural place.

HOW MY BROTHER LEONS BROUGH HOME A WIFE

CONFLICTThe conflict in the story is when leon