Authors: Charity Ambato, Jocelyn Ligayan, Rovy M. Banguis
Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences, Mindanao State University Buug Campus, Datu Panas, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines
Email: rovy.banguis@msubuug.edu.ph
ABSTRACT
This study had to focus on poverty as a motif of Alberto Florentino’s four selected plays namely; “The Cadaver”, “The Dancers”, “Oli Impan” and “The World is an Apple.” The four selected plays were read carefully. Analyzed and implicated using formalism approach. Based on the
findings fixed on analyses and implications of Alberto Florentino’s selected plays, the researchers have arrived at these conclusions: The selected
plays of Alberto Florentino as a resource material of this literary study show a unifying theme which is poverty. Poverty is depicted through the different situations of the characters in the play: stealing an apple that caused him to lose his job, financial incapability to hospitalize family members,
robbing valuable things from the tomb, dancing in the night clubs and becoming prostitutes. The common causes of poverty in the play are lack of
education, low-employment opportunity, low income and social injustice. The author’s purpose for having poverty as a motif as portrayed in the four
selected plays is to give awareness to the readers on how to deal with challenges in life and how to overcome hardships and struggles in a dignified
manner. Based on the study’s findings and conclusions, the researchers have drawn some implications. The four selected plays of Alberto Florentino
in which poverty used as a unifying theme awakens us to the reality of life. It raises awareness to the readers for the kind of future brings in their
lives when they choose to make wrong decisions in life. The plays present four causes of poverty: lack of education, low income, lack of job, and
social injustice. Among of the causes mentioned, it’s only lack of education that makes a person poor. Education is very important to people for it
gives freedom the bondage of ignorance and poverty. It also brings success to our lives that can we use to have a brighter future. Hence, the absence
of education is the root of poverty.
Keywords: Poverty, motif, play