Bread of Salt

       

Back To Reality



 

           Bread of salt? Why is it the title of this short story? Why not bread of happiness, bread of joy or bread of love? For me, this is what makes it so special. Why? Because usually, authors tend to come up with intense, unique and flowery titles that awe the readers at their first sight. But this short story however, has a title that will keep you guessing the whole time. Despite it's simplicity, it has a certain vibe that there's more to it than meets the eye.

 

          While I was reading the short story, I felt a little sad for Albert because he couldn't really tell Aida how much she meant to him. Plus, it's not that he was afraid of doing so, it's that he thinks that he's not even worthy to talk to her! If that were me, I would be sad and hurt because I already know for a fact that I'm not worthy enough for her. But the thing is, Albert didn't stop liking or adoring her. With that, I felt a sense of hope, a sense of love and happiness that warmed my heart right down to the core. Also, I felt a little sad for Albert because his aunt said hurtful things about his passion for violin. I know for a fact that there are many people who have the talent to do something but according to people, that certain talent will get you nowhere in life. So, it's really hurtful when people say those things to you, especially in a frank and direct way.

 

          After reading the story, I felt a little bit confused, but inspired as well. Confused in such a way that I did not know what the moral lesson of the story was at first. I'm not even sure if it had a moral lesson. I didn't even know what to make of the ending! But, as I read it again and again, I realized that it also inspired me in a way. Personally, if a person belongs to the so called "lower class", it doesn't mean that he/she has no chance or no privilege to interact with someone from a higher class. The story made it a point that this is what Filipinos did and thought of before. With that being said, I felt pity for them. It was then that I learned why the title was called "Bread of Salt", because it was somehow like an awakening for Albert to go back to the real world. Where families of his class mostly buy the bread of salt or more commonly known as the pandesal, for breakfast.

 

          Basically, what makes NVM Gonzales' short story, "Bread of Salt", a short story is the conflict that the protagonist, Albert,  faces. The conflict is basically a man vs. society kind of conflict wherein, Albert's dreams and desires of being with Aida cannot be materialized because of the social class that he is in. It is because of the level of his social class that he has a different social orientation to that of Aida's. In the short story, there came a time when Albert didn't need to get the pandesals for breakfast since his aunt had already hired a helper to do so. Ever since, he had been in touch with his passion for music and so he dreamed about being a big shot abroad. Then, in the evening of the party, he finally had the chance to interact and impress Aida but ended up embarrassing himself. This was an awakening for him, that he had to go back to the real world where his life and Aida's are totally and completely different. The "Bread of Salt" was a reminder for Albert, a reminder for him to go back to reality.