According to literary critic Soledad Reyes, Madaling Araw was a complex and expansive novel that tackled issues that were personal to the author, as well as socio-political topics.

[3] Beyond the romantic theme, Madaling Araw embarked upon the topics of poverty and other socio-economic conditions in the Philippines.

Juan Galit (the name literally means "John [the] Angry") became the representation of the avenger for the poor and bringer of justice.

[2] Galit's assassination of Kabesang Leon symbolized the eradication of Filipinos who collaborated with the Americans, one of the perceived causes of the suffering of the poor in the Philippines.

[3] Kabesang Leon was the personification of evil that represented the Filipino collaborators who tried to subjugate the lower class in Philippine society.