Condemned [Excerpt] – Wilfredo Ma.

Guerrero
Analysis of the Selection
1. What conflicts are confronted by Pablo in this excerpt? Are his internal struggles more difficult than his clashes
with the other characters?
- As I’ve read, analyzed, and evaluated the excerpt from a hallmark literary piece wrote by Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero,
Pablo underwent and approached few conflicts in which influence his way of living, relationship with the people
that surrounding him, perspective, and his character as a whole. Starting off with the list is the presence of internal
conflict, a man vs. himself in particular. In reference with the excerpt from Condemned, the conflict that can be
considered as an example for the man vs. himself case is the fate of Pablo. Pablo’s journey isn’t rainbows and
butterflies, rather, it is the exact opposite. At an early age, he drowned himself with bad habits and practices
which involves gambling, dirty language, drinking, and his heart was enclosed with petty desires. These practices
lead to a cruel and inhumane act that he was able to perpetrate due to love, murder, wherein he must face the
consequence by being condemned. On the other hand, external conflict could also be seen in this excerpt; that
being his relationship with his mother. I believe that this is the most crucial and vital factor which governed the
formation of Pablo’s character. Personally, I do think that internal struggles are more difficult to deal with and
overcome rather than the external struggles or Pablo’s clashes with the other characters. Inner conflict occurs
when a character is associated with a feud in which must be settled within them with the help of his nature in
general. This is difficult to conquer since one’s perspective and way of thinking, which is influenced by several
factors such as experiences, can affect one’s feelings and behavior.

2. How would you describe Pablo’s relationship with the three women in this excerpt? To whom is the closest?
- In reference with the excerpt, there are three women present in Pablo’s life who each plays a significant role in his
journey. Two of them hold a strong bond or relationship with Pablo while the other is the entire opposite. First of
the two is Tia Chedeng, who served as a mother figure in Pablo’s life. Since his parents’ presence were not felt by
Pablo throughout the years, as his father suffered from a disease and his mother didn’t fulfill her responsibility as
a parent, Tia Chedeng was the one who provided the love and warmth that Pablo had yearned for. She taught him
prayers and established fear of God in his nature, however, he quickly forgot as his bad habits completely
enslaved him. Second is his other half, the one who he got married with in a span of minutes, Cristina. She served
as the light that brightened Pablo’s dark and sordid life. She is the one whom Pablo wants to spend the rest of his
life with, overshadowing his past with replenished nature, if not only for his unfortunate fate. Despite of Cristina
persuading him to get married even on his last moments, he strongly disagreed as he thought it will not benefit her
in any way. The name of a murderer and premature widowhood were the things that will tag along her existence.
Nevertheless, they got still got married at his last moments because according to Cristina, the assurance of their
heart that are faithful and committed will be the one she will depend on in order to continue living her life. On the
other hand, Pablo’s relationship with her mother, Angela, has the least, barely nothing, bond that he has among
the three. Pablo believes that his mother is the main root or reason behind the chaos and darkness of his life.
According to him, he doesn’t hold any hate towards her, however, her feelings towards her is similar as to how he
feels with a stranger. Angela was too occupied by her acquired bad practices, specifically gambling, and focused
only on herself, completely overlooking and burying her responsibilities towards her son. Based on the
descriptions of Pablo’s relationships towards the three women in his life, it is beyond doubt that Cristina is the
one he is closest to as she has been his anchor and escape from reality. In addition to this, Pablo’s love for
Cristina is also the reason why he was condemned, since he murdered the person who tried to rape her. Pablo is
willing to go beyond the limits, even if it requires blood, if it is for the sake of her beloved Cristina.

3. Is Pablo a dynamic character in this excerpt? Does his character experience significant change by the end of the
play? Explain.
- Characters play a vital role in literary pieces as they are the main component that is in charge of driving and
taking control of the story. Dynamic character refers to the process of undergoing a significant change,
developing and strengthening one’s character and nature. With this, it is beyond doubt that Pablo is a concrete
 example of a dynamic character in the literary piece, Condemned. On all accounts of the play, from its beginning
up until the end, Pablo’s suffering and unfortunate life is disclosed on the eyes of the readers. Reality dawned
upon him at a very young age, already witnessing and being conscious the beginning of the cruel and unfortunate
fate that is offered for him. The absence of his parents, specifically his mother, took a huge toll on her general
nature and character. The thoughts that were formulated based on his viewpoint and experiences are a major and
crucial factor in terms of the feelings and behavior he reflected. Pablo enclosed himself with malevolence and
numerous mishaps which he considered as a coping mechanism to withdraw unwanted and detrimental emotions
as well as an escape from his cruel reality. Despite of the presence of the other characters or people by his side, it
is undisputable that the inner conflicts he is undergoing are the most difficult to deal with. Faith and hope weren’t
known in Pablo’s vocabulary; such things are irrational to think of when one is in a situation of suffering and
misery. On the latter part of the story, we were able to witness a drastic change in terms of Pablo’s behavior and
perception of her mother. Character development is definitely evident at this part, supporting to the fact that Pablo
is considered as a dynamic character. The once lost faith has been restored, as he was able to bring himself to
kneel and confess and ask for God’s mercy. He was able to look directly towards her mother’s eyes with no trace
of resentment and grudge; only compassion and solicitude as he was headed to his final destination. Father Lim
disclosed Pablo’s last words including; “Cristina” to indicate his commitment and everlasting love to his other
half, “Tia” to convey his gratitude for acting as a mother figure all throughout, and most importantly, “Mother”,
which he found difficulty in uttering past his lips. Truth to be told, I was in awe at the ending of this excerpt, for
as I was in the middle of reading this literary piece, I am more than sure that despite the resentment and grudge
Pablo once held towards his mother, even though his heart doesn’t seem open enough to welcome compassion
and forgiveness, I know for a fact that there is still a piece of him that longed and cried his mother’s name.

4. How would you evaluate Guerrero’s use of the English language in this play? Can we consider “Condemned” to
be a testament of Filipinos’ mastery of the language? Justify your claim by citing details from the excerpt.
- Reading Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero’s “Condemned” thoroughly, I was able to assess and evaluate certain aspects of
the literary piece that will serve as evidences to further support my claims and insights with regards to it being a
testament of Filipinos’ mastery of the language. First and foremost, I would like to indicate and commend the
factor in which mainly contributed to the entirety of the play “Condemned”; Guerrero’s way of writing. From the
beginning of the excerpt, it automatically captured my attention which urged me to further comprehend and
explore how exemplary this literary piece is. Through different figures of speech, speech styles, and speech
concepts, Guerrero was able to present his work creatively and artistically. These components contributed to
establishing value and overall aura of the literary piece. To further support my claims and insights, in reference
with the excerpt, here are some dialogues or parts that brought impact along with its corresponding spark; “My
son, Christ has said that if your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow – if you ask his forgiveness.”
“For the first time in my life, I know what real love is – the deep silent affection, the quiet understanding, the
feeling of gentle gratitude, the sense of being alive – (bitterly) yes, alive.” “Tears! How can your tears move me
now when I drowned my own tears in drink?” I was astonished as to how despite of the number of centuries have
had passed, the way he was able to organize his thoughts and express them through the use of these figures of
speech, still provides an impact especially with the current situation wherein valuing your loved ones are
prominent. Furthermore, Guerrero was able to project and mirror the emotions that were being expressed by the
characters which I believe is a difficult task, especially in their time. Another observation of mine that supports
my claim is the presence of the different standards of literature which includes artistry, intellectual beauty,
suggestiveness, spiritual value, permanence, universality, and style. Lastly, Guerrero’s correctness in speaking;
also refers to how grammatically correct one can construct their statements. Provided the fact that the American
English language isn’t the first or native language of our country and it was in the middle of the American’s
influence in language, Guerrero was still able to accomplish it with his proficiency and excellence in the field of
English language. Thus, I therefore conclude that the play “Condemned” by Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero, is a hallmark
literary piece that can be considered a legacy of the American influence and a testament of Filipinos’ mastery of
the language.