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Rosang Taba's Race of Pride and Wits

This document provides a summary and analysis of the short story "How Rosang Taba Won a Race" by Dean Francis Alfar. It describes the story as taking place during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines and demonstrating the prejudice Filipinos faced. The story outlines how Rosang Taba, a serving woman, challenges a arrogant Spanish man named Ser Pietrado to a footrace to prove the worth of Filipinos. Through cunning and determination, Rosang Taba wins the race despite the obstacles against her. The document praises the story for its inspiring message of fighting discrimination through courage and perseverance.

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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
201 views2 pages

Rosang Taba's Race of Pride and Wits

This document provides a summary and analysis of the short story "How Rosang Taba Won a Race" by Dean Francis Alfar. It describes the story as taking place during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines and demonstrating the prejudice Filipinos faced. The story outlines how Rosang Taba, a serving woman, challenges a arrogant Spanish man named Ser Pietrado to a footrace to prove the worth of Filipinos. Through cunning and determination, Rosang Taba wins the race despite the obstacles against her. The document praises the story for its inspiring message of fighting discrimination through courage and perseverance.

Uploaded by

lovelykth
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Bantula, Angela Kate E.

11-HOPE
Ms. Martillano
Reading & Writing
June 9, 2023

Literary Analysis of "How Rosang Taba Won A Race,"


a story told by Dean Francis Alfar

How Rosang Taba Won A Race is a story that was set during the Spanish colonial era in
the Philippines, demonstrating how Filipinos were treated by the men from Hispaniola, suffering
from prejudice and discrimination despite difficult circumstances. This book, which Dean
Francis Alfar narrated, outlines nationalism as a means of obtaining freedom by succeeding in a
race. The narrative serves as an inspiration for our nation's citizens. Everybody has the capacity
for hope, success, and equality, regardless of their look, ethnicity, gender, or place in life.

Rosang Taba's story of winning a footrace against a narcissist, Ser Pietrado is a popular
hundred-year-old story. It is a subversive critique of the established order, an example of gender
roles being reversed, the beginning of the inevitable revolution, a narrative of pride and
retribution, or just the story of a woman who overcame a formidable challenge by using her
brain. It began when Ser Pietrado boasted that the Katao of Hinirang was not much of a threat to
the flower of Ispaniola, but Andreia, the mistress of the Guvernador-Henerale countered that any
one of them is his equal. The Guvernador-Henerale then admonished Ser Peitrado for his words,
but a fat serving woman named Rosa, one of the house servants, interrupted the conversation
without hesitation and said, "I could beat you in a race." Although she apologized and said she
wanted to show the gentleman that her people are not all stupid. After this, Rosa offered a wager
to prove that she can fight for her people's rights to Ser Pietrado as it seemed that he was
offended because someone interrogated him. Rosang Taba asks Ser Pietrado for a head start of
fifteen paces, and she asks him for a blindfolded race. He then agreed to do it.
As for Rosang Taba's backstory, her father taught her stories of his people and instilled in
her pride in her ancestry. Her mother taught her the secrets of the Ispaniolan sideboard and
shared her appreciation for the language, culture, and faith of her masters. By the time she was a
young woman, her name changed to reflect her inner nature, and is now called "Rosang Taba".
After which, The Ispaniola-in-Hinirang, foreign envoys and diplomats, visiting artists, guild
lords and the highest members of the Guardia Civil, and the Katao of Hinirang gathered at the
Plaza Binondo to watch the impossible race between Ser Pietrado and Rosang Taba. When Ser
Pietrado arrived, the Ispaniola-in-Hinirang burst into applause. When Rosang Taba made her
appearance, the Ispaniola-in-Hinirang began to laugh, but the spontaneous cheer of the Katao of
Hinirang robbed their laughter of its cruel power. Rosang Taba and Ser Peitrado have chosen the
Street of Lost Hope for their race course – it is the narrowest lane in Ciudad, averaging five
handspans in width, and no more than one person can navigate its length at a time but Rosang
Taba is no ordinary person.

Rosa shows amazing fortitude in dealing with prejudice. She demonstrated her value as a
human being by remaining emotionless in front of the Ispaniolas. Fighting for something
important demands a lot of bravery. However, the tale moved quickly to its primary point, and
there were no unnecessary details that would have made it tedious and uninteresting for the
reader. Additionally, the text's metaphorical language was well depicted. Even if some people
might require assistance comprehending the entire tale due to the phrasing, it's still wonderful at
various points because it broadens the reader's vocabulary.

In conclusion, "How Rosang Taba Won A Race" is a touching and motivational tale that
honors the perseverance and persistence of the human spirit. Alfar's tale is an effective metaphor
for the value of dedication and the dangers of stereotypes. He questions conventional ideas of
beauty through the figure of Rosa and encourages readers to look past outward manifestations of
beauty. The narrative also emphasizes how transformational sport can be, demonstrating how it
may enable people to overcome challenges and realize their objectives. The story has gained
enduring popularity among readers of all ages because of its compelling storyline and
inspirational message. This is a must-read for anybody looking for inspiration and motivation
because of Alfar's skill as a storyteller and his capacity to develop relevant and sympathetic
characters.

Common questions

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The story employs allegory and characterization to convey the message of resilience and resistance. Rosang Taba embodies the spirit of defiance and resilience through her engagement in the race, while the allegorical setting and events symbolize a larger nationalistic struggle. The use of witty dialogue and strategic plot developments reinforces the themes of resistance by demonstrating Rosang's intelligence in outmaneuvering her adversary and overcoming societal barriers .

Ser Pietrado functions as the embodiment of colonial arrogance and prejudice. His character serves to highlight themes of social injustice and the underestimation of the colonized. His initial dismissal of Rosang Taba and subsequent defeat at her hands underscore the narrative's critique of colonial attitudes and affirm the capabilities and equal worth of the Filipino people. By challenging and defeating him, Rosang exposes the flaws in his superiority complex and reinforces the story's thematic message of equality and resistance .

The race itself is metaphorical for the broader struggle of Filipinos against colonial oppression. The Street of Lost Hope represents the narrow and challenging path to freedom, requiring resilience and strategic thinking. Rosang Taba's demand for a head start and a blindfolded race symbolize the ingenuity and bravery needed to confront formidable adversaries. Her ultimate victory serves as a metaphor for the hope and possibility of overcoming discrimination and achieving equality .

The setting of the Street of Lost Hope enhances the story's central themes by symbolizing the daunting challenges and constraints the colonized face. Its narrowness symbolizes the limited opportunities and oppressive conditions, while Rosang Taba's navigation through it signifies the strategic and resilient spirit required to overcome such adversities. This setting acts as a metaphor for the struggle of Filipinos under colonial rule and their determination to forge a path to freedom and equality .

Dean Francis Alfar challenges conventional ideas of beauty through Rosang Taba by depicting her as a protagonist who is not defined by traditional aesthetics. Despite being ridiculed for her appearance, she demonstrates her value through intelligence, courage, and determination. This challenges superficial judgments based on looks and highlights inner qualities as determining one's true worth, thus questioning and redefining societal standards of beauty .

Rosang Taba's heritage plays a crucial role in shaping her character and actions by instilling in her a sense of pride and identity. Her father's stories and her mother's teachings equip her with cultural knowledge and self-respect that empower her to challenge colonial authority. This background provides her with the confidence and motivation to assert her people's dignity and rights, which is central to her taking on and winning the race against Ser Pietrado .

The story inspires modern readers by illustrating how individuals can challenge entrenched injustices through intelligence, bravery, and persistence. Rosang Taba's triumph against an opponent representative of colonial power and prejudice highlights the impact of personal agency and collective solidarity in pursuing justice. Her story encourages readers to confront and overcome modern forms of discrimination and inequality, reinforcing the idea that true victory lies in the courage to challenge societal barriers .

The story addresses prejudice and discrimination by highlighting the treatment of Filipinos by the Spanish colonizers, represented by the character Ser Pietrado. Rosang Taba challenges the stereotypes imposed by the Spanish by engaging in a race with Pietrado, thereby subverting the colonial narratives that demean Filipinos. The narrative demonstrates Filipino resilience and the fight for equality through Rosang's victory, symbolizing the triumph over unjust colonial attitudes .

The story explores the reversal of gender roles by presenting Rosang Taba, a female character, who takes on a challenge typically dominated by males. Her participation and victory in the race not only challenge Ser Pietrado's authority but also subvert the expectations of women's capabilities within the colonial context. The narrative uses Rosang Taba's character to critique the established gender norms and encourages rethinking these roles .

The narrative reflects the significance of sport as a transformative tool by using the race as a means for social commentary. Rosang Taba uses the race to demonstrate equality and challenge the prejudices of her time. Her participation and victory not only break stereotypes but also serve as a platform for challenging societal norms and inspiring change. The story portrays sport as an avenue for empowerment and social justice, showing its potential to shift perceptions and foster equality .

Bantula, Angela Kate E.
11-HOPE
Ms. Martillano
Reading & Writing 
June 9, 2023
Literary Analysis of "How Rosang Taba Won A Ra
Pietrado arrived, the Ispaniola-in-Hinirang burst into applause. When Rosang Taba made her
appearance, the Ispaniola-in-Hinir

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