Introduction to Literature and Philippine Literary History

Practice flashcards covering the Introduction to Literature, the Pre-Colonial period, and the colonial history of Philippine literature through the 21st century.

According to the Cambridge Encyclopedia, what does the term 'literature' refer to as a site of ideological conflict?

It may refer to canonical works in certain genres considered artistic or to the total sum of writings, including letters, memoirs, comics, and historical writings.

What is the purpose of literature as 'instruction'?

It is an experience of learning what and how we are in our human integrity and imperfection, including our actions, dreams, ghosts, and secret recesses of consciousness.

How does literature function as a 'common denominator of human experience'?

It allows human beings to recognize themselves and converse with each other regardless of differences in profession, life plans, or geographical and cultural locations.

What were the primary literary forms of the Pre-Colonial period?

Folklore, proverbs, myths and legends, riddles, fables, and song.

What are the characteristics of oral literature?

Common community experiences as subject matter, communal authorship, formulaic repetitions, and regular rhythmic and musical devices.

In the context of Folk Narratives, what is the definition of an 'Epic'?

Adventures of a hero, warrior, god, or king.

What is the difference between Proverbs and Riddles in folk speech?

Proverbs (or aphorisms) express universal truths from folk culture, while Riddles are puzzles or brain teasers that use metaphors to challenge wits.

In the Bikol creation story, who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist?

The protagonist is Languit and the antagonists are the Grandchildren.

According to 'The Creation of the World [Bikol]', what are the indigenous names for the moon, sun, earth, and stars?

Bulan (moon), Aldao (sun), Daga (earth), and Bitoon (stars).

Who were the 'Ladinos' during the Spanish Colonial Period?

Highly literate natives who were completely fluent in both Spanish and Tagalog, serving as the first bi-lingual writers.

What was the first book published in the Philippines?

Doctrina Christiana.

What are the characteristics of a 'Corido'?

It describes the life of a saint or traditional history, is secular, has a fast pace, and follows an 8-syllable line structure (octosyllabic).

What is the 'Awit' and how does it differ from the Corido?

The Awit is a chivalric poem about a saint with a slower pace and a 12-syllable line structure; examples include Florante at Laura.

What is the difference between 'Duplo' and 'Karagatan'?

Duplo involves a debate between 'bilyaka' and 'bilyakos' using the Bible, while Karagatan is a game involving riddles and a search for a ring to be given to a princess.

What does the 'Moro-moro' depict?

The conflict between Christians and Moros, where Christians always prevail at the end.

What was the significance of the year 1901 during the American Period of Re-Orientation?

The Thomasites (teachers from the US) arrived to establish a normal school and Act #74 was passed to create the department of public instruction.

What is the significance of Justo Juliano's 'Sursum Corda' (1907)?

It was the first Filipino poem written in English to be published.

What characterizes the 'Period of Imitation' (1910-1924)?

Filipino writers imitated Anglo-American literature and Western authors like Edgar Allan Poe, resulting in Western-style short stories and personal essays.

What work is considered the first modern short story in Philippine literature?

'Dead Star' (1925) by Paz Marquez Benitez.

What were the common themes of literature during the Japanese Occupation?

Resistance, resilience, and patriotism.

What does Bienvenido Santos's 'Scent of Apples' portray?

The nostalgia of Filipino exiles in the US longing for a homeland that has drastically changed.

How did Salvador Lopez define 'Proletarian Literature'?

The interpretation of the experience of the working class in a world rendered doubly dynamic by its struggle.

Name two examples of 'Prison Literature' mentioned in the notes.

1. Pintig Sa Malamig na Bakal: Poems and Letters from Philippine Prisons (1979) and 2. Mila Aguilar's Why Cage Pigeons? (1984).

What are the features of 21st-century literature?

The use of technology, new codes and lingos, the flourish of graphic novels (comics and manga), the revival of oral poetry, and rewriting Martial Law History.