Summer Solstice

1. Doña Lupeng Moreta- initially rejects ancient beliefs, but under the spell of the moon, she gets possessed by the spirit of the Tadtarin cult. 2. Don Paeng Moreta- the highly moral husband of Donya Lupeng 3. Guido- young cousin to the Moretas who studied in Spain 4. Amada- the family cook and Entoy’s wife

5. Entoy- the family driver
Conflicts: 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 Tadtarin festival. The items in conflict were paganism against Christianity, the primitive against the civilized, and the status of men against the status of women.

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.