When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe Book Analysis

War is a time in where many bonds are tested, who will you stay loyal too, your family or your country. When the Elephants Dance by Teresa Holthe is a historical fiction novel that takes place in the Philippines while the Japanese were occupying the islands. One of the characters Domingo the guerilla leader fighting for his country but in the process ignores his family. Uriza Holthe argues that one should be more loyal to their country over their family through the characters shown throughout the novel.

Near the end of the novel, Domingo leaves his real family at a Japanese run warehouse to return to his guerilla group. In the end, he decides to return to help his family, placing his other family in risk as they joined Domingo to help. “ I have led these people to the slaughter with my indecision”(Holthe, 354). Domingo placed priority in his country and in his guerilla group over his own family. This led to the death of his, wife, son, mistress, and adopted son. Domingo was even warned by Tay Federico of what would happen if he kept placing priority on his country over his family, but he did not listen. “Leave this obsession to be a guerilla. It will end only in death’’(Holthe, 265). Domingo kept on going down the guerilla path even after Tay Fredericos warning, in the end he lost all that was precious to him. He was left with nothing no family no guerilla group, he was truly alone.

Tay Frederico is an old Spaniard who lived during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. He is mixed Spaniard with some Filipino blood, but he does not accept the Filipino part of himself. Federico was loyal to his family, he would never do anything to sully their name. Fredrico was oblivious to the atrocities the philipinos had to face daily, until he met Divina.” He did not steal the money. The friar lies”(Holthe, 307). This begins to show the corruption that has been spread throughout the Philippines by the Spaniards. Holy men of the church blaming innocent people to hide their sins. This is shown when the friar accused Virgil of stealing the church's money. This is also the first time we see Frederico defend the Filipinos and sees the real hardships they face. Later on in the story, Frederico paints many paintings and then shows them off in an art gallery. When the people see the painting, they are completely shocked at what Frederico painted. “I have only drawn the truth. Can i not become inspired?’’(Holthe, 315). Frederico painted the daily struggles Filipino men and women had to face. Frederico choose to bring this situation to the light, completely disregarding his loyalty to his family. Their family name became a laughingstock, but Frederico can now only think of Divina and how he can help her Country. Fredrico decided that the wellbeing of the Philippines and its people was far more important than his loyalty to his family.

During Isabelle's part of the book, we are introduced to Feliciano. He is Aling Anas nephew who decided to become a makapili. “Isabelle, what have you done? He is a makapili, a Japanese sympathizer”(Holthe, 157). Here we see Feliciano is no longer seen as part of the family as he chose to give his loyalty to the Japanese instead of staying with his family. Loyalty has to be made through countless acts, but it can be easily destroyed with just one, and this is exactly what Feliciano did. In the end, he decides to come back to his family. He has left the Japanese and broke off his loyalty to them. All in hopes to regain the loyalty he once had with his beloved family. Feliciano realized his mistake he now tries to become better he strives to prove himself once more,

In conclusion loyalty is a funny thing, it isn't permanent, and it isn't guaranteed. To give somebody your loyalty is to merely give them confidence in that they can trust you. Whether one receives loyalty from another completely depends on them. To place loyalty on one's family, deeming them of more importance, or placing it on your country. It's all very subjective, and that's why we see many examples in When the Elephants Dance of people placing their loyalty onto their family or country. In the end it all depends on whether that person feels the safety of their family is more important or the survival of their country.