MARXIST APPROACH: Ikaw Lamang

MARXIST APPROACH

IKAW LAMANG

Summary:

In the era of the sugar industry boom in the small town of Salvacion, two children from opposite sides of society meets. A boy named Samuel who came from a poor family and Isabelle who came from a wealthy family who owns sugar can plantation. Through Isabelle, Samuel made acquaintance with a boy who is also born from a wealthy family. His name was Franco. A natural-born farmer, Samuel teaches Franco how to plant sugar cane and in return, Franco teaches Samuel how to read.

One night, a wild fire strikes the sugar cane field. Amidst the tragedy, Samuel is able to save Isabelle. However, with the influence of his grandfather Maximo, Franco claims he was the one who saved Isabelle. Samuel reveals that he was there when the fire happened and told everyone that he was the one who saved Isabelle. This ignites a rivalry between Samuel and Franco.

Several years had passed in the midst of this social turmoil; love develops between Samuel and Isabelle, to the consternation of Franco and Mona. A planned elopement and wedding between Samuel and Isabelle is foiled by Gonzalo and Maximo, in favor of Franco. Samuel is abducted, electrocuted and buried alive, but a priest saves him. Isabelle ends up marrying Franco. Mona seduces a drunk, heartbroken Samuel; their one night stand eventually results in their marriage and the birth of their son named Gabriel, while Isabelle and Franco are blessed with a daughter named Natalia Isabelle. Things get worse when Eduardo reveals that he is the biological father of Samuel.

Franco suffers an accident but despite recovering, he pretends to be crippled in order to gain the sympathy of others, especially Isabelle. Isabelle becomes pregnant with Franco's second child but Franco believes that this child is Samuel's. Franco is able to make Mona and the townspeople believe in a lie, causing a jealous Mona to flee Salvacion with Gabriel despite not having the permission of her family. Samuel catches up with them and joins them along with Lupe and Calixto to Manila. While in Manila, Samuel and Mona enter university while fulfilling their duties as Gabriel's parents at the same time.

The plantation workers hold massive protests against Franco, who was then the corrupt mayor of their town. Samuel is implicated in their so-called rebellion and is arrested and tortured, only to be released as Eduardo leads a hunger strike. Eduardo, who had remarried to Elena, supports their son's gubernatorial bid against Franco, who is backed by Maximo. During the election, Mona is killed in an ambush ordered by Maximo, who also helps Franco cheat his way to victory. Gonzalo anonymously divulges Maximo's dishonest acts, but is caught, captured, and beaten by the latter and his men.

Franco abuses Isabelle and uses his children to keep her from leaving. To save Isabelle from Franco's battering, Samuel plans to flee to Manila with Natalia and Andrea.

Franco learns of the plan and manages to get Natalia from Isabelle. On the night of their elopement, Franco plants a bomb on the ship where Samuel, Isabelle, and their families and friends are taking going to Manila. The bomb explodes. Samuel, Isabelle, Gabriel, and Andrea find themselves losing their beloved ones and separated by fate. Franco walks away with impunity, having been elected as Senator and interested in the presidency. 

A kind-hearted jail warden named Roman helps Samuel escape from jail. Samuel eventually locates Calixto, Lupe, and Gabriel. In order to begin life anew and help Gabriel exact revenge against Franco, Samuel and Calixto briefly return to Salvacion to dig and sell the gold bars that were buried with Maximo when he was buried alive by Gonzalo and Pacquito before the ship explosion.

Franco holds a party introducing Andrea as his daughter. Isabelle sneaks into the party and Franco sees her Isabelle makes Franco believe that she has amnesia but it’s false. Franco lets his wife and children live in the same home, and locks Isabelle and Andrea up to prevent them from escaping again. Natalia got into a fight with Isabelle and Andrea. In the end, Andrea marries Gabriel and it is implied that Gabriel has regained the land in Salvacion that Franco took away from his family.

Analysis: 

Life of the Oppressed

Samuel one of the main character in the story is brought up by a family coming from a lower class. He is person who we imagine a typical farmer who work hard to earn a living. Being one of those marginalized people, there are times that there right as human being are being step. There is a huge barricade between the poor and wealthy people. Even when Samuel and Isabelle were still kids, they are prohibited to see and play with each other.

There comes a time in there life when the two fall in love with each other. And this union was prohibited and hindered by powerful people who would do anything even take away the life of an innocent person. Things you can never imagined, happened. Twists and turns, ups and downs, and obstacles along the way as they venture this cruel life. 

How did the Oppressed Overcome the Oppressor?

Before such time, if Samuel can still manage to subdue the things they are doing, he won't just give attention. He remains still not putting grudges to the people who have done wrong to him. But when he had enough, he stood up for what he think right and  fought for his rights. Not knowing that he too is one of those who are lucky enough to be part of the elite people. But with this unveiled truth, he remain rooted to the ground. And with the aid of almighty he had overcome the challenges he faced.

Why is the Oppressor Oppressing the Oppressed?

We know for a fact that that there are those people who can't heartily accept that there kins would be associated with those who are in the lower class. In the story, they were oppressing Samuel because they knew that he could be the man who would create and cause downfall not just to their business but to there lives. They though that hurting Samuel not just physically, will make  them feel victorious. But I guess in there mind set, they are just protecting, what they think is there's. 

Seeking for more power, they don't want just a scumbag for them to make meanings in their lives. That is why they will do whatever they can just to stop it.