The God Stealer by F. Sionil José by Group 3

 

The God Stealer by F. Sionil José

Almirante, Niles Isak C.

Dacula, Marie Louise, C.

Madria, Lian Railey

Magdadaro, Jodene Veta, T.

Rezaba, Chersyn, S.

INTRODUCTION

Francisco Sionil José's "The God Stealer" is a short story that shows the conflict between traditional Filipino values through the lens of the Ifugao and the Western colonial effects through the eyes of the characters Sam and Philip. The story revolves around their journey and the visit of Philip in his old ancestral village.  In the end, Philip becomes highly disconnected from his roots which leads to him trying to steal his grandfather's god. The theft of this god causes his grandfather to die of "mysterious circumstances".

According to Republic Act No. 8371 "The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997”, this act aims to protect the indigenous people by ensuring that they get the proper respect and recognition for their cultural heritage, ancestral domains, and ancient practices. In the story, this law may serve as a looming reminder that disrespecting the culture of the Indigenous people will have grave consequences, even if we do not see them at first. In the story, Philip is highly disconnected from his roots and his decision to disrespect and dishonor his heritage leads to the tragedy of his grandfather's passing.  Though people say his grandfather passed away because of the party last night, in his heart of hearts, he knows that the hand that stole the god; the hand that disrespected his own culture is the hand that's responsible for the blood of his grandfather. 

SUMMARY

The Story begins with two close friends, an urbanized Ifugao man and an American man. Sam and Philip ride a bus heading towards Ifugao, they are on their way to Ifugao for one purpose: Sam wants to buy a genuine Ifugao god as a souvenir and Philip wants to help him find an authentic one through his local connections.

Philip is a Christian who no longer has any respect or affection for the Ifugao customs and religion. He considers himself a city boy and to return to mountain life. Despite this attitude, Philip's grandfather is pleased to see him and throws a big party in his honor. On the day of the party, Sam and Philip discover that no Ifugao is willing to sell their god and as a last resort, Philip offers to steal the god of his grandfather because he feels it would be his way of showing gratitude to Sam for giving him a raise at work. The consequences of this act are severe. The next day, his grandfather died because he discovered that his god was stolen. He also informs Sam that Philip will no longer be going back to Manila. The curious Sam looks for Philip and finds him working in his grandfather's house. Philip then explains his reasons for choosing to stay in the mountains. Philip said that he could forgive himself for stealing that god but could never forgive himself for killing the one who loved him the most, which is his grandfather.

A faltering and stifled sob. In the dark hut, Sam noticed that Philip was now attired in G-string, the traditional costume of the Ifugao. Furthermore, Philip is busy carving another idol, a new god to replace the old one which Sam will take to America as a souvenir.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

BIOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT

F. Sionil José, a known Filipino writer, wrote the literary text “The God Stealer” in 1968. Born in 1924 in Rosales, Pangasinan, He was influenced by the sociopolitical environment of his country, which he reflected in his literary works. His childhood and experiences in the Philippines during the post-colonial era give him an understanding of the complex relationship between Filipino cultural identity with foreign influence. José’s works often address the themes of social justice, nationalism, and the struggles of the Filipinos. “The God Stealer” is an example of exploring the battle between the traditional Filipino values and the present values represented by Western influence.

In the literary text “The God Stealer”, José used the character of Philip to emphasize the conflict between the traditional Filipino culture and Western colonial values. The plot of the story revolves around Philip’s struggle as he meets an American art collector, exposing his internal struggle and the wider cultural conflict. For example, Philip trying to sell a traditional Filipino statue to the American collector shows how Filipino culture is being turned into a product under colonial influence. José shows how Philip's discomfort with his heritage and actions highlights the harmful effects of Western influence on personal and national identity. 

An example of this conflict is when Philip reflects on his heritage: “He looked at the figure of the old man, the figure of the old gods, and he could see nothing but the artifacts of his past.” This quote shows Philip's inner conflict over how his culture is being sold. The once-holy statue became a product, indicating the loss of cultural significance and identity. The story ends with Philip coming to a realization that his behavior is not sincere, emphasizing the issue of cultural and individual separation. José's work shows how colonialism affects and destroys traditional cultures.

LINGUISTIC CONTEXT

The God Stealer starts with two office mates named Sam Christie, an American who will return to Boston in a few days, and his companion Philip Latak, an Ifugao, working in a big city that has lost some cultural identity and customs. 

“THEY WERE the best of friends and that was possible because they worked in the same office and both were young and imbued with a freshness in outlook.” In this passage, the Author highlights the closeness and the professional relationship between Philip Latak, and Sam Christie. But, there is a clear boundary that makes you, the reader, mistrust how close they actually are, regardless of how the author depicts it. This is partly due to the way their names are pronounced, such as "Philip Latak" and "Sam Christie," which can influence readers' perceptions of the characters. The author used a range of word forms to convey nuanced meanings, (like "stealer," and "friendship") to denote the doer of an action or the role of a character, adding depth to the narrative. For example, Stealer: Implies a character's role and moral standing. Whereas Friendship: Suggests relationships and emotional connections between characters.

As you keep reading with comprehension, you will notice how José utilizes compound words and specific terminology related to the setting, (e.g walled city, narrow side street, stone buildings huddled, in the cold, their narrow windows shuttered and the frames advertising Coca-Cola above their doorways indistinct in the dark.) This is a descriptive way of telling us that the setting contributes to the text's cultural and historical specificity, which explains how José often uses complex sentences with multiple clauses to provide detailed descriptions and convey intricate relationships between characters, As this helps in building a layered narrative and setting. The words and phrases used in "The God Stealer" frequently have connotations that highlight cultural and thematic aspects. For instance, the term "stealer" in the title holds both literal and metaphorical interpretations, alluding to themes of theft and cultural appropriation. 

As the story unfolds, José highlights the consequences of cultural exploitation and the commodification of indigenous artifacts. The theft of the Ifugao idol represents the exploitation of local traditions for personal gain, as Sam seeks to profit from a symbol of his community's spiritual beliefs. The author subtly hints at deeper tensions and themes through implicature. For example, the unspoken meanings behind the characters' actions and choices help the reader grasp the socio-political commentary that is intricately present in the story. 

Here are relevant excerpts that illustrate this theme:

RELEVANT EXCERPTS: 

> The protagonist, Philip, grapples with his identity and the cultural implications of his actions. When he decides to steal the idol, it symbolizes not just a personal betrayal but also a broader commentary on colonialism and the exploitation of indigenous cultures. The unspoken tension between his desire for progress and the respect for his heritage highlights the conflict many face in a post-colonial context.

> Another significant moment occurs when Sam, a native character, expresses his disillusionment with the changes brought by colonial influences. His feelings of loss and betrayal reflect the deeper socio-political issues at play, emphasizing how the theft of the idol represents a disregard for tribal beliefs and traditions.

José’s narrative voice does not shy away from creating a rich, multifaceted narrative.

He writes as if providing insights into characters’ inner thoughts and societal observations, allowing readers to understand different viewpoints and experiences, and adding depth to the narrative and themes. 

The way characters speak to one another also often reflects their personal and cultural backgrounds, as well as the power dynamics at play.

"Phil, I must not leave Ifugao without that god. It's more than just a souvenir. It will remind me of you, of this place” uttered Sam previously before the misfortune happened. 

Then in the last few pages, Sam says "Don't blame me, Phil, I didn't want you to steal it. Remember, I even wanted to return it? Besides, I could have gone on searching until I found one I could buy-" This goes to describe how a person could become powerful if they just have the money—they could even buy a god, “You'll always find a way because you have all the money. You can buy everything, even gods."

SOCIOCULTURAL CONTEXT

The God Stealer, dives into the complex relationship between colonialism, identity, and cultural heritage in the Philippines. The narrative follows two characters: Philip Latak, an Ifugao who has moved to Manila and developed Western values, and his American friend, Sam Christie, who is fascinated by Filipino culture. Philip’s alienation from his heritage symbolizes the broader socio-cultural tension between modernization and tradition, a common struggle in post-colonial societies. Many Filipinos view foreigners as idols due to the power difference and social class. This makes Filipinos want to follow the said foreigners and abandon their national individuality just to maybe have the same treatment as those foreign people get from their own people.

Factors of society in “The God Stealer” include the impact of American colonization on Filipino identity and cultural disconnection. Philip’s action of stealing his own grandfather’s god, an Ifugao idol, symbolizes his severed ties to his culture. This theft is not just a literal and conscious act from Philip but a metaphor that symbolizes the erasure of indigenous heritage under the pressures of modernization and Westernization. Sam’s fascination with the stolen idol reflects the commodification of indigenous cultures by Westerners, highlighting how this artifact has been downplayed as a toy rather than its cultural significance. The story critiques how cultural heritage is often undervalued by those who are a part of the culture while being commodified by outsiders.

Culturally, this story emphasizes the value of cultural identity and the importance of heritage in defining oneself. Philip’s breakdown and remorse for his actions reflect the struggle many Filipinos face: the choice between choosing a Westernized, modern lifestyle or preserving traditional, indigenous values. “The God Stealer” thus serves as a poignant commentary on the enduring impact of colonial history on cultural identity, urging readers to reflect on the importance of preserving one's heritage in a fast-paced, globalizing world.

In the world that we live in today, this story becomes incredibly relevant due to the fact that it reflects well on our society. Many of the wealthy and privileged take advantage of the indigenous people which leads to their cultures being lost to time. In reflection of this, we must work on preserving the culture and beliefs of the indigenous people. These cultures are a part of our humanity and we must not let it be lost to time. 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Francisco Sionil José's "The God Stealer" explores the tension between traditional Filipino values and Western colonial influence through the characters of Philip and Sam. Philip's internal conflict and disconnection from his roots lead to him stealing his grandfather's god which leads to his grandfather's death. This symbolizes the consequence of abandoning one's roots and heritage. The story itself reflects broader themes of identity, cultural erosion, and the impact of abandoning your cultural heritage. José's story serves as a constant reminder that we must not abandon our roots, no matter where we go. He criticizes the fact that external forces can diminish the love we used to have for our traditions and he emphasizes the importance of preserving these cultures. 

Matthew 16:26: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"

Like Philip, we are often faced with the constant temptation of a world beyond our own culture and natural heritage but what good can come in conquering the world if we forget the values that shaped the people we are today? Our soul is tethered to our culture, heritage, and traditions. These are what make us who we are. Though yes, we can venture and explore the whole world, we must not forget where we came from.  We must remember to always keep our culture within our hearts, no matter where we go. In the world that we live in today, we must always remember to keep our beliefs into our hearts and to be proud of the culture that we have. These are what makes us part of the human race and when we stand our ground to let these traditions stand the test in time, we immortalize them and give them a space in our universe.