BEAUTY IS THE SWEETNESS WITHIN - A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SWEET SUMMER

 Beauty is the sweetness within - A Critical Analysis of Sweet Summer By Cyan Abad-Jugo Written by: Artchie Melgazo, Bjorn Balaoro, Jadis Ocampo, Mary Grace Sanchez,  RB Lim, Zunder Kirk Lerin

“Society has a distorted perception of beauty” This quote captures the knowledge of the main idea of the literary text. The story “Sweet Summer” by Cyan Abad-Jugo starts with introducing the three 12- years old girls. The story takes place in the summertime. The main idea of the literary text is it is about Sara, one of the three 12-year-old girls who call themselves The Candy Club, as they are growing up Camilla and Faye start to attract attention from boys as said in the literary text  “the older boys of the neighborhood have begun to hover and ogled them like treats but only the two creamy long- legged eclairs, not the nut -brown fudge in a housedress melting the sun” this implies that only Camilla and Faye are noticed and desired by the older boys while Sara is ignored and isn’t seen by the older boys. This creates insecurities for Sara as she feels less desired, as said in the literary text she was surprised that a boy was talking with her and walking with her. My main idea of the literary text is that it is about Sara’s insecurities about herself as she feels less competent because of her friends who are deemed society's standard on beauty. My deeper understanding of the literary text based on philosophical tools and concepts is that the text correlates to the theory Constructivist, As Sara is a dark-skinned girl implied by how she is called “The nut-brown fudge” and Camilla and Faye are fair-skinned as implied by how they are called “Two creamy long- legged eclairs”, Camilla and Faye are deemed beautiful in our Filipino standards as fair-skinned girls are more attractive in our culture. That is the reason why those boys preferred to notice Camilla and Faye as they fit into our cultural standards while Sara does not fit into those beauty standards as she is darker in skin tone. As we already know, Constructivist theory is the knowledge that is shaped by our culture and deems things true depending on how we view it in our own culture. Because of our micultural beauty standards, people nowadays believe that we have to fit into our culture's beauty standards to be acknowledged as beautiful and people like the older boys in the text believe that the two girls were much more attractive because of the standards that we grew up on. 

On a summer day, the Candy Club, a group of three twelve-year-old girls, goes about their usual ritual of sitting on the village's water tank and eating sweets. Camilla and Faye are members of the group and are described as "two creamy long-legged eclairs," which indicates they have a fair complexion and are tall. Sara, the third member, is described as "nut-brown fudge in a housedress," implying that, unlike the previous two females, she is plain and has a dark complexion. It's implied that the older males began to swoon for the two girls, but not for Sara. Until one day, when a younger boy arrived with his Doberman and groped for the faucet. When the Candy Club notices them, the two females begin to scoff at the lad. Sara, on the other hand, feels attraction for the boy and decides she can't stand seeing the two insulting the boy, so she shifts her gaze to the lad. The boy's name is Frederick, and the dog's name is Dolby. Frederick is not the sort of boy Camilla and Faye seek because they previously insulted him. As Frederick becomes acquainted with Sara, it is Sara who is attacked by the two, who introduce Sara as "Sara the Square" to Frederick, which suggests that they are characterizing Sara as a traditional and old-fashioned person. Their distinction from their third member elevates them to a higher level, and this is clearly seen.

Cyan Abad-Jugo is a Filipino writer, novelist, and teacher. She is the daughter of Gemino Abad, a prominent educator, writer, and literary critic from Cebu, Philippines. She teaches Literature and Creative Writing at the Ateneo de Manila University. Abad-Jugo graduated from Ateneo de Manila University when she was merely 19 years old. She majored in English Literature. Her stay in Ateneo further developed her passion for writing and literature. During her stay in Ateneo, she was an inactive member of Heights, the school’s preeminent literary organization. Abad-Jugo attended Simmons College in Boston in the United States for her graduate studies. It’s here that she earned her master’s in Children’s Literature. She took her PhD in English Studies: Creative Writing and Anglo-American Literature at UP Diliman. In 1996, Abad-Jugo finally released her debut novel Father and Daughter: The Figures of Our Speech, alongside her father, the renowned poet Gemino Abad. The short story "Sweet Summer" by Cyan Abad-Jugo addresses themes such as childhood memories, which may resonate with the author's personal experiences and memories. Although there isn't much concrete biographical evidence linking "Sweet Summer" to Abad-Jugo's life, the story may affect her since it allowed her to explore themes of innocence, nostalgia, and the transition from childhood to maturity.

  Cyan Abad-Jugo's Sweet Summer plays a vital role in conveying the themes of childhood and change in the story. Abad-Jugo uses uncomplicated, descriptive language to immerse readers in the summer setting, creating a vivid and present experience. The immersion is heightened by the first-person perspective, enabling the readers to feel the narrator's emotions firsthand, as if replaying their own childhood memories. Through figurative language, summer is depicted as more than just a season; it represents youth, purity, and the inevitable journey into adulthood.The story's tone captures both nostalgia and a hint of sadness, celebrating the happiness of childhood while also recognizing its temporary nature. Abad-Jugo skillfully mixes concise sentences with more contemplative ones, mirroring the cadence of a child's journey and development. Nature and daily routines are depicted with a comforting warmth, creating a feeling of carefree liberation that deeply resonates with readers. The contrast between the brightness of summer and the subtle suggestion of impending change enhances the emotional intensity of the story. Words like "sweet" and "warm" emphasize the comfort of childhood, while more intricate expressions hint at the challenges of growing up.

Beyond childhood, Sweet Summer also fosters a sense of cultural diversity, subtly reflecting the richness of different experiences through the universality of change and growth. Through the narrator’s reflections, readers from varied backgrounds can connect with the universal process of leaving behind the innocence of youth. The summer setting becomes a metaphor not just for individual growth but also for the interconnectedness of cultural experiences. Whether through customs, relationships, or the way seasons are experienced, Abad-Jugo allows readers from diverse cultures to reflect on the shared human experience of time moving forward.

The summer season, typically linked with happiness and freedom, provides a powerful setting for the gentle realization that time is always moving forward. Abad-Jugo uses this season to contemplate not just the external world but also the internal transformations of the narrator. The simplicity of the language mirrors the naivety of childhood, while the more complex figurative language represents the unavoidable grasp of change. The plot unfolds naturally, like the changing of seasons, allowing the theme of growth to develop slowly. By the conclusion of the story, the reader experiences the profound realization that childhood, like summer, will eventually come to an end.

In the Candy Club, there is an establishment of a social hierarchy and unreasonable beauty standards. The "creamy long-legged éclairs", describing Camilla and Faye, attract attention from older boys, while Sara, described as "nut-brown fudge" with a less conventionally attractive appearance in terms of their standards, is often overlooked. Sara is always conscious about her looks and features, which drag down her own self-worth, and her momentary happiness when Frederick gives her attention shows how societal beauty norms affect individuals’ self-esteem, particularly in a setting where lighter skin and a certain body type are prized. The boys’ interest in the girls is expressed through a somewhat objectifying gaze, as they "ogle" the girls "like treats," emphasizing how young girls are often viewed in relation to their physical appearance. Sara’s excitement at receiving attention from Frederick contrasts with her feelings of being ignored by the older boys, showing the gendered ways in which interactions unfold. Overall, the story reflects socio cultural issues like beauty standards, acceptance of self, and standards in the youth. It is additionally backed in the final section of the tale, in which Felix made an appearance. He inquired Frederick about his activities with Sara, whom he clearly does not consider attractive. However, he chuckled and remarked that it is typical for boys to behave in that manner, to flirt and show affectionate gestures towards a girl. However, he then mentioned that he would show him the "actual treats", once again portraying girls as objects that boys can experiment with. This situation also demonstrates peer influence. Frederick is subtly influenced by Felix to become that type of boy. It's not just the girls they find unattractive that they are mocking, but all the girls in the country. Regardless of their appearance, girls should never be criticized and treated as objects. Another instance of bullying is evident throughout the story, as Camilla and Faye targeted Sara due to her dissimilar physical appearance from them. Due to Sara not fitting their standards of "beauty", they perceive Sara as someone lesser than them. Consequently, resulting in a situation of harassment. Despite being Filipino and typically having a dark complexion, many people in the Philippines still desire a lighter and fairer skin tone because it is considered more beautiful. This desire is influenced by other countries where fair skin is ideal. People do not only want fair skin to feel attractive, but also to avoid being bullied by others based on their appearance. Feelings of insecurity can result in self-pity and may cause individuals to compromise their true selves in order to gain acceptance from society. Some individuals struggle to accept their own appearance and the judgments of others, finding it unbearable. This could result in feelings of sadness and thoughts of taking one's own life.

We live in a society wherein they take a lot of importance on physical looks. It could cause you to destroy yourself and your relationships with other people. Inappropriate handling of this might potentially result in the collapse of society as a whole. People need to be attentive to this issue and aware of it for this reason. Despite its gentle and charming narrative, the tale "Sweet Summer" serves as a reminder of innocence. Additionally, it conveys messages that our society has been grappling with and from which we might draw lessons. All these stories of friendship, nostalgia, and growth are placed against the happy kid's summers. The coming-of-age develops within the character in a sweetly bittersweet manner-as it goes through relationships, the thrills of summer adventures, and the growing realities of growing up.  This often speaks of inevitable changes that grow with age while at the same time it treasures memories and the friendships that made those moments last. She reflects on all the changes she has seen during the course of the summer. Her sister-to-sister bonding improves, and more importantly, maturity dawns on her. The sweet summer that once completely seemed carefree has turned out to be a learning season, where she finds that life is both joyful and challenging. And it leaves off in nostalgia, accepting that growth must come with its sweetness of loss.