The Dog Eater

By Leoncio Deriada

A Printed handout prepared by Group 2

Members:

Angelica Penaroyo

Melch Ryan CAsildo

Charles Jaymer Tagudinay

Jeullianne Gagatam

Kiara Brooke Tendras

Ladylyn Ferrer
Introduction
“The Dog eaters" is a compelling short story by Leoncio P. Deriada, set in the 1970s in Davao
City. It follows the lives of Mariana and Victor, a young couple dealing with the harsh
realities of poverty and personal struggles. Their efforts to overcome life's difficulties lead to
a series of intense and tragic events, ultimately resulting in a desperate act that brings their
frustrations to a violent end. Through his vivid storytelling, Deriada explores themes of
desperation, anger, and the pursuit of a better life.
Leoncio P. Deriada (1938-2019) was a renowned Filipino writer and professor emeritus of
creative writing and literature at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Born in
Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, he spent most of his life in Davao City. Deriada was a multi-lingual
writer, producing works in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Cebuano. He was a
Palanca Hall of Famer and received numerous awards for his contributions to literature.

Characters

Mariana: The wife of Victor, College undergraduate who is frustrated with her husband's
lack of ambition and alcoholic.

Victor: The husband of Mariana. Former Body Builder and Club Bouncer who enjoys eating
dog meat and drinking tuba with his friends.

Aling Elpidia: A fish and vegetables vendor who offers Mariana a herbal liquid to abort her
child

Ramir: Victor's pet dog, which Mariana killed.

Sergio: He owns the Sergio's store. He is the chief drinker of tuba and a dog meats eater
also.

Victor's Friends: Some Citizens or Mens of Artiaga Street Falling Actions

Setting

-Artiaga street, Davao city

-Inside the house

Theme
The theme of this story established the fact that the right to live is to everybody. Everyone
has the right to live and that must not be taken away from a man, a woman, an animal and
most especially to an innocent life inside the womb of a mother who knows nothing but
feels excited on his birth. The story also emphasizes that one's anger must not be blamed to
the innocents for they can bring evil on one's self.

Conflict

The Conflicts in the story take different forms. Man vs Man conflicts can arise when Mariana
and Victor argue about their lifestyle, such as disagreements over pets like dogs. Man vs Self
conflicts, like Mariana's decision about having a child, involve difficult personal choices that
require deep reflection.

Tone

The tone of the voice of the story varies depending on the feelings and emotions of the
characters. Most of the time, the tone of the story is very intense and strong. The feeling of
anger, remorse, irritation, and frustration are very visible in the story. But there are some
instances that the story shows sarcasm and humor.

Mood

The mood of the story can be described as grim and unsettling. It evokes feelings of
discomfort, sadness, and empathy. As the story examines themes of survival, tradition, and
dehumanization, it creates an atmosphere of tension and inevitability.

Style

The style of the story is narrative and descriptive, with vivid details that engage the reader’s
senses and imagination. Deriada uses a straightforward, almost blunt, language that
conveys the harshness of the situations depicted, while also using rich, symbolic language to
explore complex themes. The story’s style is also marked by its raw, unfiltered portrayal of
survival, customs, and societal norms.
Language

The language in the story is both simple and complex. It uses everyday speech to describe
difficult, unsettling realities, making the themes of the poem more relatable. At the same
time, the language is layered with symbolism, metaphors, and irony, adding complexity to
the meaning.

Symbolism

• The Dog: The dog in the story symbolizes both loyalty and survival. It also serves as a
metaphor for the marginalized or oppressed individuals in society who are used and
discarded for the benefit of others.

• Eating: The act of eating, particularly eating the dog, can be interpreted as a symbol of
desperation, survival, and the perversion of human decency in the face of extreme
circumstances.

• Dog Eaters: The phrase "dog eaters" itself serves as a symbol of societal degradation,
perhaps pointing to a culture that has lost its humanity or moral compass. Imagery The
story is rich in imagery that appeals to the senses, particularly the visual and the visceral.
There are stark, graphic images of the dog and its consumption that make the reader feel
the rawness and desperation of the situation. Through these images, the story conveys the
physical and emotional toll of survival.

Figurative Languages:

Simile

"He looked like a dog tracking the smell of hidden carrion."

Victor is compared to a dog searching for food, showing his eagerness or desperation.

Metaphor

"The dog-eaters of Artiaga Street!"

Mariana calls the men "dog-eaters" instead of just saying they eat dog meat, showing her
disgust.

Onomatopoeia
"'Victor! Victor! Aw! Aw!' the canine growl floated across Artiaga Street."

The "Aw! Aw!" sounds like a dog's bark, making it seem like the men are acting like dogs.

Hyperbole

"I wish to God you’d all die of hydrophobia!"

Mariana is so angry that she wishes the men would die of rabies, though she doesn't
literally mean it.

Personification

"The heat from the unceilinged roof had become terrible and it had all seeped into her
head."

The heat is described as if it has the ability to enter Mariana’s head, showing how
uncomfortable and irritated she feels.

Imagery Used:

Sight Imagery

"Mariana looked out of the window toward the other side of Artiaga Street. A group of men
had gathered around a low table in front of Sergio’s sari-sari store." This description allows
readers to visualize the scene, picturing the men congregated around the table.

Sound Imagery

"It was an ugly voice, and it pronounced Victor’s name in a triumphant imitation of a dog’s
bark. 'Victor! Victor! Aw! Aw!' the canine growl floated across Artiaga Street." The imitation
of a dog's bark and the description of the voice provide a clear auditory image, emphasizing
the mocking tone.

Touch Imagery

"Her hands nervously holding her basket close to her like a shield." This conveys the physical
sensation of gripping the basket tightly, reflecting the character's nervousness.

Taste Imagery

"Mariana spat on his face. Then she bit on the right arm. She spat again, for she had a quick
taste of salt and dirt." This description highlights Mariana's physical revulsion and anger
during her altercation with Victor, emphasizing the unpleasant taste that prompts her to
spit again.
Smell Imagery

"The heat from the unceilinged roof had become terrible and it had all seeped into her
head." Although primarily describing a tactile sensation, the oppressive heat can evoke the
stifling atmosphere, indirectly suggesting an smell imagery

Overall Impression of the Text:

The Dog Eaters by Leoncio P. Deriada leaves a strong, unsettling impression, exploring
themes of survival, tradition, and the loss of humanity. The dark tone and vivid imagery
force readers to face the harshness of life, where survival often demands sacrificing moral
values.. The poem encourages readers to reflect on the complexity of human behavior in
such desperate situations.

Moral Lesson and Reflection:

The story’s moral lesson highlights the difficult moral choices tied to survival. The story
questions whether cultural practices are right or wrong in dire situations and encourages
reflection on how survival and tradition can reshape or distort cultural identity. Ultimately, it
teaches that survival is not just a physical struggle, but also a moral and emotional one, with
far-reaching consequences.