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Questions and Answers
What is the primary concern of the patron saint of travelers?
What is the primary concern of the patron saint of travelers?
Which of the following patron saints is associated with the virtue of chastity?
Which of the following patron saints is associated with the virtue of chastity?
Which saint is the patron of opticians and is often depicted with a pair of eyes on a plate?
Which saint is the patron of opticians and is often depicted with a pair of eyes on a plate?
What is the significance of the palm tree in the context of Saint Catherine of Alexandria?
What is the significance of the palm tree in the context of Saint Catherine of Alexandria?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of Saint Christopher's iconography?
Which of the following is a characteristic of Saint Christopher's iconography?
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Study Notes
Patron Saints of Nothing
- The novel "Patron Saints of Nothing" by Randy Ribay is a story about identity, family, and social justice, set in the Philippines.
- The protagonist, Jay Reguero, is a 17-year-old Filipino-American boy who has never been to the Philippines, but is forced to return to his family's homeland after his cousin, Jun, is murdered.
Cultural Identity and Family
- Jay struggles to connect with his Filipino heritage, having grown up in the United States with a Americanized father.
- He feels disconnected from his Filipino roots, and his relationships with his relatives in the Philippines are strained.
- Jay's Tita, or aunt, is a devout Catholic and expects Jay to follow traditional Filipino customs, which he resists.
Social Justice and Politics
- The novel delves into the real-life issue of President Duterte's "War on Drugs" in the Philippines, which has led to widespread human rights abuses.
- The Philippine government's campaign against drug users and pushers has resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings, including the murder of Jay's cousin.
- The novel highlights the silence and complicity of the Filipino community in the face of these atrocities.
Themes and Symbolism
- The concept of "patron saints" is explored as a symbol of the Philippines' complex history and cultural identity.
- The title "Patron Saints of Nothing" suggests that the country's patron saints, who are meant to protect and guide, are ultimately powerless in the face of corruption and violence.
- The novel explores the tension between tradition and modernity, as embodied by the contrast between Jay's Americanized upbringing and his Filipino heritage.
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Description
Discover the importance of Patron Saints of Nothing through this engaging quiz. Test your knowledge about the novel and learn more about the characters, plot, and themes. Enhance your understanding of the book with this interactive assessment.