Friday, September 20, 2024

There Was This Really Fat Girl

 CRITICAL LITERARY ANALYSIS

THERE WAS THIS REALLY FAT GIRL”
By Carla M. Pacis


Jaca, Cassandra Nicole

Kurimoto, Fuka

Litonua, Beatrice Vera

Malalis, Kenshie Jan

Mondragon, Bill Chrisnoff


Introduction 

Body shaming, bullying, and eating disorder is a common situation for those who does not fit to the society’s ‘standards’. And that is exactly what this story wants to express. The story “There Was This Really Fat Girl” by Carla M. Pacis, points to Ana, who is chubby, or also known as a fat girl, hates her size. Her struggle for identity and purpose stems from the pressure she got from her parents, her inferiority towards her friend, and her date for the prom. When she took a glimpse of her reflection from the mirror, it was the moment when she told herself that she was not satisfied with her body. As she questions her worth and cares about the perception of others, it shows that this story is to raise awareness of the sad truth to those who struggle with their purpose, making it a very inspiring story for us readers.


Summary 

Pushed by her friends and mother, Ana was determined to lose weight, just so she would look fit for the prom. A stunning dress was not enough to stop her from abusing her body, like extreme dieting, and even took the risk to consume a banned ‘slimming pill’, resulting to an unfortunate ending, not being able to attend her so awaited prom. The story revolves around the matter of beauty standards, implying that health should be more important than one’s outward appearance. Through this story, we can share our understandings and address this issue in the real world.


Biographical Context Analysis

Carla M. Pacis, known for addressing social issues in her writing, may have drawn from personal or observed experiences of societal pressure and body image concerns in Filipino culture when crafting There Was This Really Fat Girl. The theme of body-shaming in the story reflects broader societal issues, such as the fixation on physical appearance, particularly in the adolescent stage where peer approval is vital. In a culture where beauty standards are often rigid, Pacis likely sought to challenge these norms by portraying the emotional and psychological toll on those who don't conform. This mirrors current global conversations around body positivity and mental health, suggesting Pacis' work resonates with contemporary struggles.



Linguistic Context Analysis

As we continue to read the story, we find out that story is a great example of the concept Man vs Self. Our protagonist never really had an outward war, but instead, a constant war with herself. The mirror, magazine / prom, and the pills, the mall, clinic, and gym, these elements paved and added flavor to the story as it represents the norms of the real life. Speaking of real-life, the author wants us to realize that we should not just spend our time, constanly worrying about being percieved. Not everything that we know is always the truth, by encountering different perspectives, we can see beyond our own limitations. So instead of making up conclusions, we should also view things in a different light, just like what happened between her and Santi.



Sociocultural Context Analysis

Ana’s behaviour reflects the sociocultural context of body image and societal standards within a school environment. The setting emphasizes the pressure adolescents face in conforming to conventional ideals of beauty, while the characters represent different societal attitudes—those who conform to norms and those marginalized for their appearance. Ana’s actions in the end implied that we, as humans, have the right to be more equitable. In fact, we must remember, in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 says: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”


Conclusion 

To sum it up, The story "There Was This Really Fat Girl" by Carla M. Pacis addresses body shaming, bullying, and eating disorders. It follows Ana, a girl struggling with societal beauty standards and her own self-worth. Pushed to lose weight for the prom, she resorts to extreme measures, leading to a tragic outcome. The story highlights the pressure to conform to beauty standards and the importance of prioritizing health over appearance. It also reflects societal issues related to body image and the impact of peer pressure, particularly during adolescence. Ana's story serves as a crucial reminder to prioritize mental and physical well-being over societal expectations. Our bodies are holy. Because our bodies are important, our Father in Heaven wants us to take good care of them.



(Our answers for OralCom, Philo, and CLF are mixed in with these paragraphs)


 


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