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Enola Holmes
Feminist Approach
Enola Holmes is one of the modern literary works that focuses on feminism. This work highlights the hardships that the women from England in the 19th century went through and how they still put up a fight for their rights. Enola Holmes, also known as the younger sister of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes is the main character in this story. She lived most of her life being taken care of and trained by her mother, Eudoria Holmes. She taught Enola how to be independent and how women should have the same treatment as the men do, they should not be looked down on just because of their gender.In order to see through the lens of feminist criticism, we must first be aware of the important parts that the story has. The real story began when it was Enola’s 16th birthday but instead of waking up happily, she was left stunned because she was informed that her mother had left. After hearing about the news, her brothers Sherlock and Mycroft decided to go visit their home and see how Enola has been doing without their mother. After seeing her, they thought that she was too care free, untamed, and acted like she wasn’t raised right. They then decided to take care of Enola by sending her to a proper school for girls where she can be taught how to properly act as a woman in their society.However, this made Enola feel worse because she did not want to act the way they told her to, she wanted to be what her mother wanted her to do. She then snuck out of the school and went looking for her mother in the outside world where she was not used to. There she realized that Eudoria left her clues on where she might be and where Enola could find her. She also met a boy named Tewkesbury who is on the run because his life is in danger. At first she showed no interest in him since she wanted to focus on finding her mother and to not rely on a man.Using her smart mind and the detective-like skills that she got from her brother, she found out the truth about her mother. She learned that Eudoria is part of an all women group that is fighting for the equal treatment that the women in England deserve. She also became aware of the ideas that this group had planned which was led by her mother. Eudoria intentionally left Enola in order to be present for their campaign and to go on with their plans.To put this in the lens of feminist criticism, both Enola Holmes and her mother Eudoria were one of the first few people who had the courage to fight for their rights and to end inequality. Although they might have dealt with this issue in different ways, they showed how women can be dependent on themselves and not necessarily need the help of men, especially in the modern world. The story unveils that the fight for women's rights and freedom is both done through individual efforts and help from other women and groups.In addition, the story shows that it is never right to control someone’s life and dictate what their future should be. We as people must be there to support one’s desires in life as long as it does not affect others in a negative way. Freedom is something that us people should have and that we must not let anyone take it away from us no matter what or who we are.Lastly, the story of Enola Holmes wants to convey a message to everyone. Women are not weak, women are not dependent on men, and women are people too. This shows that women should be seen equally as how society sees men. Through Enola’s quest, we saw how it is important to fight for what is right and not to just sit around and let the others take control of what you are and what you can be. Enola did not only fight for freedom, but she also showed how smart and independent she is without the need of any man’s help.
Mendoza, Miro
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Formalist Approach
Jenny Han the author of The Summer I Turned Pretty, a coming-of-age narrative that reflects with the universal experience of change and the season of adolescence. The protagonist of the novel is Isabel “Belly” Conklin. She is a teenage girl who has spent all of her summers at the beach house with her mother, brother, and her moms’ college best friend, the Fishers. “It was always the summers that I measured my life by.” This exact line highlights her growth that revolves whenever she’s at Cousins beach. The protagonist experienced both internal and external conflicts, internal, she struggled through her insecurity of being seen as “just a child” and said “For once, I wanted to be the one everyone looked at.” External, the tension that was so intense because of her love triangle with Jeremiah and Conrad and complications of Sussanah’s health that adds emotional weight.The climax happened when Belly and Conrad confessed their feelings for each other and when Conrad finally opened up his bottled emotions. “I’ve loved you my whole life” the exact phrase that had the turning point of her internal struggle. For the first time, she is seen and chosen “It was real. It was finally real.”The Cousins beach isn’t just a vacation house, a setting, a background—it symbolizes their memories and transformation throughout. “Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.” It felt like summer is when/where time finally slows down and characters face truths. Weather is part of if, whenever it changes it mirrors Belly’s emotions and feelings. The theme of the story just revolved around Belly stepping into maturity, her emotional and personal transformation that shifted from a kid to young adult. She defines her summers as a major part of her life “It was the summer I turned pretty, and everything began.”Every shift in emotions, weather, house dynamics—mirrors Belly’s development and the overall plot. Through Belly’s perspective, the story’s structure and setting emphasize her journey from innocence toward newfound emotional understanding. Summer becomes the metaphorical season of transformation.
Guevarra, Katrina
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Psychoanalytical Approach
“This is a JOURNAL, not a diary.” The first thing that Greg Heffley — the main character — tells us, and it is the first sign that the book isn’t just about a funny story of a wimpy boy in his middle school chaos, but also what exactly goes through a young boy’s mind that is trying to understand himself. The way Greg insisted that his notebook isn’t a diary but rather a journal reveals how uncomfortable he is with showing his emotions. Some of us have thought that when we say “diary,” it is about our true feelings and Greg finds it really embarassing, and knowing Greg’s character, he wants to be seen as “cool” and “mature” that’s why he’s defensive about his notebook title. Even if it is just a small detail, it exposes his inner conflict between who he is and who he wants to be. A small detail that subtly tells his whole story. The only reason why Greg keeps writing to his journal is because in case he becomes famous, he won’t have to answer all the questions about himself and his life, they can just simply refer to his diary–or journal, he says. “When I’m rich and famous, I'll have better things to do than answer people's stupid questions all day long. So, this book is gonna come in handy.”The diary begins with Greg’s first day of the new school year, and honestly, he isn’t excited about that. Others bullies him for being wimpy, that’s why he prefers to spend more time in becoming famous instead of facing bullies. After school, Greg spends his time playing video games with his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, instead of playing outside as his dad wants him to do. Being a middle child at home with his two brothers isn’t easy for Greg, because his older brother Rodrick keeps pranking him, and he needs to babycare his younger brother Manny. Another reason why Greg became who he is, as he wants to get some attention.Greg thought of running for treasurer at his school, as he wants to have the girls' attention, but they didn’t seem to care. He then decides to become an athlete to gain popularity, but he fails, again. One time, his mom makes him sign up for their school play of The Wizard of Oz. He thought maybe if he was picked to be the main character, he would become famous. He gets the role of a tree. The show goes horribly wrong, and Greg is still far from becoming who he wants to be.The way Greg wants to become famous shows a sign of his Id, which Freud describes as pleasure and the thing that seeks for satisfaction.When Greg and Rowley become members of Safety Patrols and have to walk with kindergarteners home every day. One day, Greg messes with the kids while Rowley was sick. Greg borrows Rowley’s coat and chases the kids with worms. Everyone thinks it was Rowley who messed with the kids. Rowley got the blame for this incident. Greg didn’t tell anyone that it was his fault, leading to their friendship ruined. This shows his Id control, being selfish and dishonest.Then, Rowley was chosen to become the new cartoonist for their school newspaper, he became popular and made some new friends. Greg, who is eager to become famous, makes him jealous of Rowley and almost starts to fight him. The next day, bullies find Greg and Rowley at their school and make Rowley eat a piece of cheese that had been lying at the basketball court for almost a year. After that, Greg tells others that he ate the cheese and saves Rowley from being made fun of, and they become friends again. Later on, his conscience starts to bother him, and he finally admits the truth to Rowley.The Ego of Greg, which Freud describes as what is socially acceptable rather than what simply feels good, appears when Greg confessed that he is the one who chased the kids with worms.His superego — his moral side — appears again during the Cheese Touch scene. When bullies forced Rowley to eat the somewhat rotten cheese, and Greg claims that he is the one who ate it. In that moment, Greg sacrificed his dignity to protect his friends, showing that even though he is sometimes selfish, he still has morals.Well let’s say he became popular, but not in a situation he expected.What makes Greg an interesting character is that he isn’t what we so-called a “hero” — he is an anti-hero. His laziness, selfishness, and immaturity makes him far behind from who he wants to be. Yes, his flaws and such make him more realistic and relatable. His dishonesty, jealousy all show the imperfections of a normal kid trying to understand themselves and learning what is right and wrong. Greg’s actions often show insecurity rather than malice. He wants to fit in and be noticed, but he always fails.Becoming popular isn’t easy, and what's in Greg's diary really shows how growing up is messy, awkward, and full of mistakes. His attempt to gain popularity or recognition always fails, showing that popularity isn’t always about being fun or cool, but it is about honesty and understanding others.
Matanguihan, Barbara