Footnote to Youth
Summary By: Jose Garcia Villa
Dodong is 17-year-old young boy who is impatiently waiting for his father to return home so
that he can tell him of his love for Teang and his desire to marry her. He feels that at 17 he is
a grown man and is ready for the next important step in his life. When he tells his father that
he has asked Teang to marry him and wants his blessing, there is a long and cruel silence. His
father asks if he must marry her because Dodong is very young. Dodong resents his father's
question, and finally his father gives his consent. Nine months later, Dodong is waiting outside
while Teang gives birth to their first son, Blas. He feels young and inexperienced, a contrast
to how he felt nine months ago. Dodong did not want any more children, but they came
anyway. For the next six years, Teang gave birth. Seven children in all. Teang did not complain.
However, her body was now shapeless and thin from bearing so many children and from the
hard work of caring for them and the household. Even though she loved Dodong, she cried
and wished that she had not married so young. There had been another suitor, Lucio, who
was nine years older than Dodong. She chose Dodong because he was so much younger. Lucio
had married after she married Dodong, however, he was childless. She wonders if she had
married Lucio, would she be childless? She feels that would have been a better lot in life. But
she loves Dodong, even though life has made her old and ugly. One-night Dodong goes
outside and thinks about his life.
He wants to have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill youth's dreams. Why does life
forsake you after love? He never finds the answer. When Blas turns 18, he comes home and
tell Dodong that he wants to marry Tena. Dodong at this time is only 36 years old, but he is
portrayed as a much older man. Dodong does not want Blas to marry so young. He wants to
have the wisdom to know why life does not fulfill youth's dreams. Why does life forsake you
after love? He never finds the answer. When Blas turns 18, he comes home and tell Dodong
that he wants to marry Tena. Dodong at this time is only 36 years old, but he is portrayed as
a much older man. Dodong does not want Blas to marry so young. He asks the same question
his father asked him. Does Blas have to marry Tena? He does not want him to make the same
mistake he did. Blas also reacts with resentment. Dodong realizes that he is dealing with Youth
and Love, and they will triumph over this situation. After that, comes real life. He gives his
consent, feeling sad and sorry for his son.
Directions: In a ½ crosswise, write the following questions and answer.
Questions:
1. Who are the characters played in the story Footnote to Youth?
2. What is the setting of the story?
3. Identify the plot of the story.
4.Who are the characters played in the story Footnote to Youth ​