1. Summer Solstice
By: Nick Joaquin
]
Presented By: Sergio Joseph Tusoy

2. Author
Name: Nicomedes Marquez Joaquin
Aka: “ Quijano de Manila”
Born: May 4, 1917 (Paco Manila on Calle Herran)
Died: April 29, 2004 (San Juan Metro Manila)
Parents: Atty. Leocadio Y. Joaquin (colonel of the Philippine Revolution)
Salome Marquez (school teacher)
Educational Background:
Elementary: Mapa High School in Intramuros
Secondary: Mapa High School in Intramuros (up to 3rd year)
College: St. Albert College in Hong Kong

3. Early Education
At age 17, Joaquín had his first piece published, in
the literary section of the pre-World War
II Tribune, where he worked as a proofreader. It
was accepted by the writer and editor Serafín
Lanot. After Joaquín won a nationwide essay
competition to honor La Naval de
Manila, sponsored by the Dominican Order, the
University of Santo Tomas awarded him an
honorary Associate in Arts (A.A.). They also
awarded him a scholarship to St. Albert's
Convent, the Dominican monastery in Hong Kong.

4. Career
After returning to the Philippines, Joaquín joined
the Philippines Free Press, starting as a proofreader. Soon he
attracted notice for his poems, stories and plays, as well as his
journalism under the pen name Quijano de Manila. His
journalism was both intellectual and provocative, an unknown
genre in the Philippines at that time, and he raised the level of
reportage in the country.
Joaquín represented the Philippines at the International
PEN Congress in Tokyo in 1957, and was appointed as a
member of the Motion Pictures commission under
presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand E. Marcos.
After being honored as National Artist, Joaquin used his
position to work for intellectual freedom in society.

5. Characters
Donya Lupeng Moreta- long-married woman
with three children
Don Paeng Moreta- the highly moral husband
of Donya Lupeng
Guido- young cousin to the Moretas who
studied in Spain
Amada- the family cook and Entoy's wife
Entoy- the family driver

6. Summary
The Tatarin, or otherwise known as the Tadtarin, was a three day festival that celebrated a
ritual of fertility. This was done only by women. Many men frowned upon the extravagant
dances and plays surrounding the ritual. "Summer Solstice" is set during the three days of the
St. John’s festival. Lupeng, a Filipino woman who feels closed to her womanhood, is married
to Paeng, who is no doubt loyal to her. They have three small boys and live a somewhat
wealthy life as they have a carriage driver named Entoy and a maid and cook named Amada.
Guido is a cousin of Paeng’s who comes back to the Philippines after studying in Europe. The
story starts when the family is enjoying the days of the St. John’s festival until Guido makes
suggestive comments to Lupeng, and even bending down to kiss her feet. This makes her
leave abruptly and have a discussion with her husband the coming night.
Lupeng secretly found herself intrigued by the attention of Guido; she felt that he was correct
in saying that women should be ravished and men should adore them. This causes her to
participate in the last night of the festival, which is the Tatarin ritual. Paeng goes with her and
tries to drag her back once the dancing begun, but she runs from him to the women. He tries
to take her back but the women in the crowds beat him out, leaving him helpless. As the two
return home, Paeng says he must whip his wife because he loves her and feels that she needs
to be put in her place. To this, she shouts and says she wants to be adored, not respected and
orders him to kiss her feet.

7. Settings
The story takes place in the 1850s, women
were repressed and felt shut in. Lupeng may
seem to be happy in her routine life, but she
also feels angry. You can notice this when she
states to the children “Hush, hush I implore
you! Now look: your father has a
headache, and so have I. So be quiet this
instant — or no one goes to Grandfather.”

8. Conflict
The stereotypes of masculinity and feminine traits run
rampant in the story. Women are supposed to look
after their husbands and children while the husbands
work and wait for their supper. Not only is this seen in
the story but in daily life as well, which makes the story
shocking to readers since it is about women wanting to
be free. Lupeng shatters the concept of the suppressed
woman when she gains control of her husband, who
kisses her feet at the end of story. This makes it seem
as though the internal conflict was that women are the
ones who want to be the rulers of men, as seen in the
Tatarin festival.

9. Plot
• The Summer Solstice is a short story written by Nick Joaquin. The book tells the story of a ritual
performed by women to call upon the gods to grant fertility. The ritual they perform is to dance
around a century-old Balete tree. The ritual was known as Tatarin and lasted for three days during
the summer months.
The last day of Tatarin is the same day as St John's Day. The story is set on St John's Day in the 1850s
in the Philippines. Entoy tells Dona Lupeng that Amada has participated in the ritual. While they are
onboard a carriage, Dona Lupeng talks about why Amada still believes in the ritual. The carriage
comes to a halt and everyone watches a procession taking place. Dona Lupeng mocks the arrogance
of the men taking part in the procession. When they arrive at a house Dona Lupeng discovers
that Guido, Don Paeng's cousin, had taken part in both the procession they have just witnessed and
in the Tatarin ritual.
Guido lifted Dona Lupeng's skirt whilst she was looking for her children. Dona Lupeng then tells
Don Paeng about the incident and tells him that Guido had even kissed her feet. Don Paeng is
disgusted that the woman has been shown adoration, as he feels that love and respect are more
befitting. Dona Lupeng and Don Paeng go to witness the ritual and Dona Lupeng joins in with the
ceremony.Once home, Dona Lupeng makes Don Paeng tell her that he adores her. He submits by
kissing her feet.
The Summer Solstice was classed as controversial because of the mix of Pagan ritual and Christian
rites of passage.

10. Theme
Main Theme: St. John’s and Tatarin Festivals –
The St. John’s festival is about men and their
fertility, which seems quite vulgar to Lupeng
and makes her start to realize how she wishes
women could be seen in the same way. The
Tatarin festival is the exact opposite, showing
women as leaders of fertility since they carry
children. This festival is the last trigger to
make Lupeng feel as though she is stronger
than a man and deserves adoration.

11. Symbolism
Amada – When Lupeng rushes to find her
cook, Amada, she sees her in a compromising position
on the bed which makes Lupeng blush and feel
restrained about her own sexuality..
Guido’s Speech – When Paeng’s cousin Guido returns
from Europe, he tells Lupeng of his travels. He also says
“I remember that you are a woman, yes. A beautiful
woman. And why not? Did you turn into some dreadful
monster when you married? Did you stop being a
woman? Did you stop being beautiful? Then why
should my eyes not tell you what you are — just
because you are married?”

12. Analysis
The Summer Solstice represented a
"stereotypical notions of masculinity and
femininity", the difference between genders, and the
hierarchy that bound the two sexes.
The Summer Solstice is pro-woman story. A tale of
"triumphant women" because of Don Paeng's
submission to Doña Lupeng and the portrayal of
women's reproductive role that made them "rulers
of men“. (Feminism Approach)

13. References
 http://www.brighthubeducation.com/homework-
help-literature/121011-summer-solstice-by-nick-
joaquin-analysis/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summer_Solstice
 http://www.scribd.com/doc/39739911/Analysis-of-
the-Short-Story-of-Nick-Joaquin
 http://www.studymode.com/subjects/analysis-of-
three-generation-by-nick-joaquin-page1.html