Literary Criticism

Literary Genre: Short Story

We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers

Alejandro Roces

Cultural studies is an academic field of critical theory and literary criticism initially introduced by British academics in 1964 and subsequently adopted by allied academics throughout the world. Characteristically interdisciplinary, cultural studies is an academic discipline aiding cultural researchers who theorize about the forces from which the whole of humankind construct their daily lives. Cultural Studies is not a unified theory, but a diverse field of study encompassing many different approaches, methods and academic perspectives. Distinct from the breadth, objective and methodology of cultural anthropology and ethnic studies, cultural studies is focused upon the political dynamics of contemporary culture and its historical foundations, conflicts and defining traits. Researchers concentrate on how a particular medium or message relates to ideology, social class,nationality, ethnicity, sexuality and/or gender, rather than providing an encyclopedic identification, categorization or definition of a particular culture or area of the world.

The Plot Summary

There was an American who wanted some more whiskey. So what he did was to go to a Filipino and ask him where to find some. Joe was the name the American's were given. The Filipino said he doesn't drink beer or whiskey, vodka and such because "Filipinos are mild drinkers". But the Filipino offered Joe (the American) for some native Filipino beer. Of course, Joe didn't refuse. So they went to the FIlipino's place and drank the drink. Joe got so drunk he couldn't think anymore and then he passed out. So the Filipino had to bring Joe all the way to his camp, where his friends where looking for him too. The American soldiers all thank the Filipino for bringing Joe back.

The Interpretation

The story falls under Cultural Studies because as you can see, it shows the hospitality of the Filipinos. The story clearly depicted the attitude of the Filipinos when it comes to our "drinking traditions".