The Emperor's New Underwear
This is a featured page by Mynardo A. Macaraig
I- Background of the author
II- Summary- http://www.answers.com/Q/Summary_of_the_Emperor's_New_Underwear_by_Mynardo_Macaraig
III- Story Elements-
A. setting
first part
place- imperial highway
date- noon
latter part
place- imperial highway
date- morning
B. characterization
a. protagonist- emperor
b. antagonist-
c. supporting character-chamberlain.
d. victim-
C. plot- the lesson of the story is, think first before you command your people, because in every command there is a consequence.
D. conflict
a. man vs. man- "Chamberlain, look! Out there in the streets! People everywhere wearing regular clothing!
"Y-y-yes, m-m-my lord. I-I-I saw them earlier," stammered the chamberlain in reply.
"Well, aren't you going to do anything?" demanded the normal personage.
"W-w-ell, we-w-wanted to, my lord, but there are too many of them to arrest.
"Then, sent out the soldiers," screamed the emperor.
"B-b-but, m-my lord, that could start a war. A full-scale war with lots of killing and fighting and dying and furthermore, my lord, the soldiers are reluctant to impart in their underwear."
"But isn't there anything we can do?" asked the emperor.
"Without taking the risk of precipitating a major conflict sir - no."
The emperor burst out in tears.
E. climax- "Chancellor," he called. "Prepare the guards and the court retainers. I think I'd like to have another parade - only this time, I shall wear my finest set of underwear!"
Soon, the people of the town were assembled once more to see, yet another parade of the emperor and his court. In the last parade, held just a day before, the emperor had strutted around the city, dressed in his underwear. This time, however, things were different. This time, everybody was dressed in his underwear. All the guards, all the retainers, all the courtiers and all the spectators. But the highlight of the parade was the emperor himself. He was garbed in a satin undershirt, lined with the finest ermine, a pair of silk jockey trunks with a platinum garter and a gold cup encrusted with the family jewels. His garters for his socks (he was an old-fashioned emperor) were laden with pearls and diamonds. It was thoroughly magnificent and totally disgusting.
F. denouement- "May I speak frankly, my lord?" asked the chamberlain. "Haven't you always done so?" he asked.
"N-n-no, n-not really," answered the chamberlain. "But I think the time has come for me to tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear."
"Very well then, chamberlain," said the emperor.
"Speak."
"Well sire," the chamberlain began, "it's like this: now, when you first paraded around in your underwear, you must admit that you did look a bit foolish. Of course, you can't deny that you were a fool to be taken in by those two con men who - uh, I'm not offending you, am I your majesty?"
"No, go, on," said the emperor.
"Well, sire," the chamberlain continued, "you were fooled, true, but so were we naturally, we didn't hold it against you for being fooled too but you see, we had become fools once already and now, here you were with your new decree making us become fools twice! Well, we were tolerant about being fooled once, but being forced to become fools - that was another matter entirely."
"But what of my royal dignity?" asked the emperor. "How can I erase the stain of my humiliation?"
"You can't," said the chamberlain, "but consider this: what could be more humiliating to an emperor than to be driven from his throne because of underwear?"
G. ending- irony
The emperor considered the chamberlain's words and on that day, the decree was abolished. People could dress in normal clothing once more and the emperor's relations with his people returned to normal as well. The chamberlain, who had spoken so frankly was now accorded new respect by both the emperor and the people did not have any more disagreements. They had arguments and debates and conflicts and quarrels over taxes and salaries and similar important matters but never again did either emperor or people raise the issue of underwear again - at least, not in public.
H. vocabulary words-
1. jubilation (noun)- a feeling of great happiness and triumph.
2. chamberlain- the officer in charge of managing the household of a sovereign or other noble figure.
3. inconsolable- (of a person or their grief) not able to be comforted or alleviated.
4. valorous- having valor; courageous; valiant; brave.
5. steadfast- firmly fixed in place or position.
6. retinue- a body of retainers in attendance upon an important personage; suite.
7. monogrammed- a design consisting of two or more alphabetic letters combined or interlaced, commonly one's initials, often printed on stationery, embroidered on clothing, etc.
8. stammered- to speak with involuntary breaks and pauses, or with spasmodic repetitions of syllables or sounds.
9. startled- to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.
10. proclamation- something that is proclaimed; a public and official announcement.
I. moral of the study- the lesson of the story is, think first before you command your people, because in every command there is a consequence.
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