How do you get your family through hard times?
That’s a question the Karangalan family has to answer for themselves in Tess Uriza Holthe’s 2002 historical fiction novel, When the Elephants Dance.
The year is 1945, and the nation of the Philippines is in the final days of Japanese occupation in World War II. Food is scarce, but survivors must be careful when scavenging lest they find themselves at the mercy of Japanese soldiers. The Karangalan family has been hiding in the basement of their family home, and in an effort to comfort each other they share stories. Not only do these stories speak to what the family is going through, but they also highlight aspects of Filipino cultural identity, beliefs, and values.
Of all the horrors experienced in the time of World War II, few are less discussed than those of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1941 to 1945. The author spoke to survivors of the occupation—including members of her own family—to put this story together. She also includes a prologue at the start of the novel, summarizing the history of the Philippines and the centuries of colonization that led up to the Japanese armies taking control.
The book doesn’t pull any punches when depicting the wartime atrocities. It starts with a young boy’s torture for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and his older sister is sexually assaulted a few chapters later. But the book is not all gloom and terror. The stories and folktales shared between the family members are those of hope, survival, and the importance of being thankful for what one has. The scenes with the family show us how they all draw strength from each other, giving each other what little they have and offering their own insights on life and what matters most.
In troubling times, it’s easy to adopt an “every man for himself” attitude. It’s tempting to give up on helping others for the sake of one’s own survival. But When the Elephants Dance argues that such a stance is self-defeating. At the end of the book, when the war has ended and one of the main characters reflects on what has happened, he shares this:
“It is better to stand together than to let other nations divide us…we fought beside our Amerikano brothers to take back our independence. It was not just given to us. I will remember how we Filipinos stood together and put our differences aside. I shall remember how strong we were.”
This is the key to the Karangalan family’s survival: everyone came together, sharing what they could and looking after each other to the best of their abilities, because it was the most they could do. And as heartbreaking as it was to see how much the occupation had taken from them, it was equally heartwarming to see what couldn’t be taken from them: their assurance in who they were, what mattered to them, and the love they had for each other and their country.
Because of the book’s depictions of wartime atrocities, When the Elephants Dance is not for the faint of heart. But if you’re interested in learning more about Filipino history and culture, or if you’re looking for tips on how to survive the hardships in your life, this book might give you what you’re looking for.
Final rating: 4.8/5
Many thanks for reading.
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