The small key is a short story written by Filipino author Paz Latorena. It revolves around a woman named Soledad, who is trapped in a loveless and oppressive marriage to her husband, Pedro.
Soledad discovers a small key hidden in one of Pedro's drawers. Curiosity gets the best of her, and she starts to imagine what the key might unlock. She becomes obsessed with finding the answer, as it could symbolize her freedom from the confinements of her marriage.
Driven by her desire for liberation, Soledad starts searching the house in secret, trying the key on various locks but finding no success. In her quest for the unknown, she becomes more determined and adventurous, distancing herself emotionally from Pedro.
Eventually, Soledad finds a small box tucked away in a corner of the house. Excitement fills her as she tries the key, but to her disappointment, it does not fit. Heartbroken and crushed, she realizes that she will never discover what the small key unlocks, leaving her trapped in her unhappy marriage indefinitely.
The story, an allegory for the societal limitations placed on women in the early 20th century, highlights the themes of longing, imprisonment, and unfulfilled desires. Soledad's search for freedom symbolizes the constant yearning for liberty and independence against the restrictions imposed on women during that period.
The small key story summarry
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