Absences can also make one forget. Absence dulls the memory and banishes those who are precious from the mind

Absences can also make one forget. Absence dulls the memory and banishes those who are precious from the mind

In the world of literature, the Filipino writer F. Sionil Jose is a prominent figure known for his insightful and thought-provoking works. His novels often delve into the complexities of human relationships, the struggles of the Filipino people, and the impact of history on society. One recurring theme in Jose's writing is the idea that absences can lead to forgetfulness and a dulling of memory.

Jose's characters often grapple with the absence of loved ones, whether through death, distance, or estrangement. In his novel "Po-on" (also known as "Dusk"), the protagonist Istak is haunted by the absence of his father, who disappeared during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Istak's memories of his father become hazy over time, as the years pass and the pain of his absence fades. Absence, in this case, dulls Istak's memory of his father and banishes him from his mind, leaving a void that cannot be filled.

Similarly, in Jose's novel "Mass," the character Pepe Samson is haunted by the absence of his mother, who left him and his siblings to fend for themselves. The memory of his mother becomes a distant echo in Pepe's mind, as he struggles to make sense of her abandonment and the impact it has had on his life. Absence, in this case, has dulled Pepe's memory of his mother and banished her from his mind, leaving him with a sense of loss and longing that cannot be easily reconciled.

Through his exploration of absences in his writing, F. Sionil Jose highlights the ways in which the human mind copes with loss and separation. Absence can lead to forgetfulness, as memories fade and loved ones become distant shadows in the mind. The pain of absence can dull the memory, making it difficult to hold onto the past and the people who were once precious to us. In Jose's works, absences are not just physical separations, but emotional and psychological voids that shape the lives of his characters in profound ways.