When The Elephants Dance Epub Bud: A Novel That Celebrates Filipino Culture and History
When The Elephants Dance Epub Bud: A Review of the Novel by Tess Uriza Holthe
When The Elephants Dance is a novel by Tess Uriza Holthe that tells the stories of a group of Filipino civilians who hide in a cellar during the last week of World War II. The novel is inspired by the author's own family history and explores themes such as war, survival, faith, love, and identity. In this article, we will review the novel and provide some information on how to download and read it using Epub Bud, a website that offers free ebooks.
When The Elephants Dance Epub Bud
Introduction: What is the novel about and why is it worth reading?
When The Elephants Dance is set in Manila in 1945, when the Japanese occupation of the Philippines is coming to an end and the American liberation forces are advancing. The novel follows three narrators: Alejandro Karangalan, a leader of a resistance group; Isabelle Karangalan, his sister who has a gift of seeing ghosts; and Domingo Matapang, a former schoolteacher who joins Alejandro's group. They take refuge in a cellar along with other civilians who have different backgrounds, beliefs, and secrets. To cope with their fear and hunger, they take turns telling stories from their past, their culture, and their imagination. These stories range from folklore and legends to personal memories and dreams. They also reveal the history and diversity of the Filipino people, as well as their struggles under colonialism and war.
The novel is worth reading because it offers a unique perspective on World War II from the point of view of ordinary Filipinos who have been largely ignored or misrepresented in mainstream media. It also showcases the rich and vibrant culture and literature of the Philippines, which is influenced by various ethnic groups, religions, and languages. The novel is a blend of realism and magic, history and fantasy, tragedy and humor. It is a testament to the power of storytelling as a way of preserving and celebrating one's identity and humanity in the face of violence and oppression.
Summary: A brief overview of the plot and the main characters
The novel consists of four parts, each corresponding to a day in the cellar. The first part introduces the main characters and their stories. Alejandro is a guerrilla fighter who is loyal to his country and his comrades. He is in love with Isabelle, but he has to hide his feelings because she is his sister by adoption. Isabelle is a beautiful and brave young woman who can communicate with the spirits of the dead. She is also in love with Alejandro, but she is afraid of her own power and the consequences of their forbidden relationship. Domingo is a former teacher who lost his wife and son in the war. He is cynical and bitter, but he still has a sense of humor and compassion. He becomes a mentor and friend to Alejandro and Isabelle.
The second part focuses on the stories of the other people in the cellar. They include: Lorna, a pregnant woman who was raped by a Japanese soldier; Anding, a former maid who is now a spy for the Americans; Pepe, a young boy who wants to be a hero; Corazon, a devout Catholic who prays for miracles; Tata Manuel, an old man who knows many folktales; and Ka Andres, a former rebel leader who fought against the Spanish and the Americans.
The third part depicts the climax of the novel, when the Japanese soldiers discover the cellar and attack it. The civilians have to fight back with whatever weapons they have, while also dealing with their own conflicts and secrets. Some of them die, some of them escape, and some of them are captured. The novel also reveals the fate of some of the characters who were not in the cellar, such as Alejandro's mother, who was tortured by the Japanese; Isabelle's father, who was killed by the Americans; and Alejandro's best friend, who betrayed him.
The fourth part concludes the novel with an epilogue that shows what happened to the survivors after the war. Some of them reunite, some of them move on, and some of them continue to tell stories. The novel ends with a hopeful note that suggests that even when the elephants dance (a metaphor for war), the ants (a metaphor for the people) can still survive and thrive.
Analysis: A deeper look into the themes, symbols, and messages of the novel
One of the main themes of the novel is the role of storytelling in shaping one's identity and reality. The characters use stories to cope with their trauma, to express their emotions, to connect with others, to preserve their culture, and to create their own meaning. The stories also reflect their diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and values. For example, Alejandro's stories are about courage and patriotism; Isabelle's stories are about love and magic; Domingo's stories are about wisdom and justice; Lorna's stories are about pain and redemption; Anding's stories are about adventure and freedom; Pepe's stories are about innocence and wonder; Corazon's stories are about faith and miracles; Tata Manuel's stories are about tradition and heritage; and Ka Andres' stories are about resistance and revolution.
Another theme of the novel is the impact of war on human lives and relationships. The novel shows how war brings out both the best and the worst in people. It can inspire heroism, sacrifice, solidarity, and resilience, but it can also cause violence, cruelty, betrayal, loss, and despair. The novel also shows how war affects different groups of people differently. For example, women are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation; children are more likely to lose their innocence and family; rebels are more likely to face torture and execution; collaborators are more likely to face shame and guilt; civilians are more likely to suffer from hunger and disease; and soldiers are more likely to experience trauma and death.
A third theme of the novel is the complexity and diversity of Filipino identity and culture. The novel challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions that portray Filipinos as passive, ignorant, or inferior. It also celebrates the richness and variety of Filipino history, literature, art, music, religion, language, cuisine, customs, etc. The novel demonstrates that there is no single or monolithic way of being Filipino, but rather multiple and dynamic ways that are influenced by various factors such as ethnicity, geography, class, gender, generation, etc. The novel also acknowledges that Filipino identity and culture are not static or isolated, but rather evolving and interacting with other cultures such as Spanish, American, Japanese, Chinese, Malay, etc.
Evaluation: A critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the novel
When The Elephants Dance is a novel that has many strengths and some weaknesses. One of the strengths is the use of multiple narrators and stories that create a rich and diverse portrait of Filipino life and culture. The novel also uses a mix of realism and magic to create a captivating and imaginative world that draws the reader in. The novel also has a strong emotional impact that makes the reader empathize with the characters and their struggles. The novel also has a powerful message that celebrates the resilience and creativity of the Filipino people in the face of adversity.
One of the weaknesses of the novel is the lack of coherence and clarity in some parts. The novel sometimes jumps from one story to another without enough transition or connection. The novel also sometimes uses too many characters and details that can confuse or overwhelm the reader. The novel also has some historical and cultural inaccuracies that can mislead or offend some readers. For example, some of the names, dates, events, and terms used in the novel are not accurate or appropriate for the time and place of the story.
Overall, When The Elephants Dance is a novel that is worth reading for its originality, diversity, and beauty. It is a novel that challenges and inspires the reader to learn more about the Philippines and its people.
Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a recommendation for the readers
In conclusion, When The Elephants Dance is a novel by Tess Uriza Holthe that tells the stories of a group of Filipino civilians who hide in a cellar during the last week of World War II. The novel is inspired by the author's own family history and explores themes such as war, survival, faith, love, and identity. The novel uses multiple narrators and stories to showcase the richness and diversity of Filipino culture and literature. The novel also uses realism and magic to create a captivating and imaginative world that draws the reader in. The novel has many strengths such as its emotional impact, its message, and its originality. It also has some weaknesses such as its lack of coherence, clarity, and accuracy in some parts. The novel is worth reading for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Philippines and its people.
I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, magical realism, or multicultural literature. I also recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a different perspective on World War II from the point of view of ordinary Filipinos who have been largely ignored or misrepresented in mainstream media. I also recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a novel that celebrates the power of storytelling as a way of preserving and celebrating one's identity and humanity in the face of violence and oppression.
FAQs About When The Elephants Dance Epub Bud
Here are some frequently asked questions about When The Elephants Dance Epub Bud:
Q1: Who is the author of When The Elephants Dance?
A1: Tess Uriza Holthe is the author of When The Elephants Dance. She is a Filipino-American writer who was born in San Francisco, California. She is also the author of two other novels: The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes and The Coffin Dancer.
Q2: When was When The Elephants Dance published and what genre is it?
A2: When The Elephants Dance was published in 2002 by Penguin Books. It is a historical fiction novel with elements of magical realism.
Q3: What are some of the historical and cultural references in When The Elephants Dance?
A3: Some of the historical and cultural references in When The Elephants Dance are:
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1941 to 1945
The American liberation of the Philippines from 1944 to 1945
The Philippine Revolution against Spain from 1896 to 1898
The Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1902
The Katipunan, a secret society that fought for Philippine independence
The Hukbalahap, a communist guerrilla movement that fought against Japan and later against the Philippine government
The Malakas at Maganda, a creation myth that tells how the first man and woman emerged from a bamboo stem
The Aswang, a mythical creature that can shape-shift and feed on human flesh or blood
The Manananggal, a mythical creature that can detach its upper body from its lower body and fly at night
The Tikbalang, a mythical creature that has the head and hooves of a horse and the body of a man
The Nuno sa Punso, a mythical creature that lives in anthills or mounds and can curse or bless people
The Dama de Noche, a fragrant flower that blooms at night and is associated with ghosts and spirits
The Bayanihan, a Filipino custom of communal cooperation and mutual aid
The Bahala Na, a Filipino attitude of fatalism or optimism depending on the context
The Balikbayan, a Filipino term for someone who returns to the Philippines after living abroad
Q4: What are some of the literary devices and techniques used in When The Elephants Dance?
A4: Some of the literary devices and techniques used in When The Elephants Dance are:
Multiple narrators: The novel uses three main narrators (Alejandro, Isabelle, and Domingo) and several minor narrators (Lorna, Anding, Pepe, Corazon, Tata Manuel, and Ka Andres) to tell different stories and perspectives.
Frame story: The novel uses a frame story structure, where the main story (the events in the cellar) is surrounded by other stories (the stories told by the characters).
Flashback: The novel uses flashback to show the past events and experiences of the characters.
Foreshadowing: The novel uses foreshadowing to hint at the future events and outcomes of the characters.
Symbolism: The novel uses symbolism to represent abstract ideas or concepts with concrete objects or images. For example, the elephants represent war; the ants represent the people; the cellar represents safety; the sun represents hope; etc.
Metaphor: The novel uses metaphor to compare two things that are different but have some similarity. For example, "When the elephants dance, the ants must watch out" is a metaphor that compares war to a dance and the people to ants.
Simile: The novel uses simile to compare two things that are different but have some similarity using words such as like or as. For example, "Her voice was like a bell" is a simile that compares her voice to a bell.
Personification: The novel uses personification to give human qualities or characteristics to non-human things. For example, "The wind whispered secrets" is a personification that gives the wind the ability to whisper and have secrets.
Allusion: The novel uses allusion to refer to something well-known or famous without directly mentioning it. For example, "He was like a modern-day Rizal" is an allusion that refers to Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines who fought against Spanish colonialism.
Hyperbole: The novel uses hyperbole to exaggerate something for emphasis or effect. For example, "He could eat a horse" is a hyperbole that exaggerates his hunger.
Q5: What are some of the similar books to When The Elephants Dance?
A5: Some of the similar books to When The Elephants Dance are:
Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal: A classic novel that exposes the social and political problems of the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule.
The Woman Who Had Two Navels by Nick Joaquin: A collection of stories that explore the identity and history of Filipinos under various influences such as Spanish, American, Japanese, etc.
Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn: A novel that depicts the lives and struggles of various characters in Manila during the Marcos dictatorship.
In The Country by Mia Alvar: A collection of stories that portray the experiences of Filipinos in different settings such as Manila, Bahrain, New York, etc.
America Is Not The Heart by Elaine Castillo: A novel that follows the journey of a Filipino immigrant who tries to rebuild her life in California after surviving political violence in the Philippines.
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