Summer Solstice By - Nick Joaquin Pdf __link__

Written in 1947, "The Summer Solstice" (also known as Tatarin ) is a famous short story by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. Set in 1850s Philippines during the Spanish colonial era, the story takes place on the feast day of St. John the Baptist. It explores the intense clash between primordial matriarchal rituals and strict patriarchal Christian society.

Set during the scorching, three-day festival of St. John the Baptist, the story follows , a wealthy, long-married woman living a comfortable but constrained life with her husband, Don Paeng , and their three young sons. The first two days of the festival involve the traditional, male-dominated St. John's Day celebrations, where men revel and douse each other with water. It is during these days that Guido , Paeng's rakish cousin who has just returned from Europe, arrives. He teases the prim Lupeng with provocative comments about female power and the ancient fertility rites of the Tatarin. In a shocking act, he kisses the tip of her shoe, stirring something deep within her. summer solstice by nick joaquin pdf