American Literary Period Summary

American Literary Period (1898 - 1941)

• This era marks a significant shift in Philippine history and culture, focusing on the profound influences and contributions of the American occupation on the nation's literature and social structure.
• Historical Milestone: The Philippines proclaimed its independence from Spain on $06/12/1898$ in Kawit, Cavite.
  • Following the Spanish-American War, the Treaty of Paris ($1898$) saw Spain cede the Philippines to the United States for the sum of $20,000,000$.
• Political Leadership: General Emilio Aguinaldo served as the first President of the Philippine Republic during this transition.

Literature and Nationalism

• Filipino writers utilized various literary forms to express nationalism and the persistent longing for absolute freedom after the revolution.
• Dominant Themes: Patriotic fervor, the struggle for independence, and the preservation of Filipino identity amidst foreign cultural shifts.
• Genres: Poetry, essays, short stories, plays, and novels became primary vessels for social commentary and nationalistic sentiment.

American Educational Influence (The "Thomasites")

• The introduction of a free public education system changed the social fabric of the country, providing literacy and education to the masses.
• The Thomasites: In August $1901$, approximately $600$ American teachers arrived on the S.S. Thomas to establish the groundwork for the modern education system.
• The English Language: English was introduced as the medium of instruction, which eventually transformed Filipino literary expression into a new linguistic medium.
• Rise of the Middle Class: Access to education facilitated the formation of an intellectual middle class and provided new avenues for social upward mobility.

Key Educational Developments

• The educational structure was organized into $3$ distinct levels:
  • Elementary: Comprised of $4$ primary years and $3$ intermediate years.
  • Secondary: A $4$-year high school program.
  • Tertiary: College-level education and professional vocational training.
• Secularization: In a departure from the Spanish colonial period, religion was removed from the official school curriculum to separate church and state affairs.

Notable Scholars and the Pensionado Program

• The Pensionado Act of $1903$ enabled high-achieving Filipino students to study in the United States as government scholars or "pensionados."
• These scholars returned to become leaders in law, politics, and education.
• Notable Figures:
  • Jose Abad Santos
  • Francisco Benitez
  • Honoria Acosta-Sison (the first female Filipino physician)
  • Francisco Delgado

Institutions and Schools Established

• Educational policy focused on training Filipinos in the sciences of self-governance and the spread of American culture through English.
• Key Schools established during this period:
  • Philippine Normal College ($1901$)
  • National University ($1901$)
  • University of the Philippines ($1908$)
  • Manila Central University ($1904$)
  • Silliman University ($1901$)

Literary Trends and Development

• Period of Reorientation ($1898$ - $1910$): Writers adjusted to the English language, navigating the technicalities of grammar and vocabulary.
• Period of Imitation ($1910$ - $1925$): Filipino writers strictly followed American and British models to master literary forms.
  • Milestone Work: The Dead Stars by Paz Marquez-Benitez ($1925$) is considered the first modern Filipino short story written in English.
• Period of Self-Discovery ($1925$ - $1941$): Writers gained mastery over the English language, expressing the Filipino soul and identity through personal style and original voice.

Genres and Influences

• Short Stories: Flourished as the most popular genre, often published in newspapers and campus journals.
• Notable Newspapers:
  • El Nuevo Dia (New Day)
  • El Grito del Pueblo (The Cry of the People)
  • The Philippines Free Press
• Drama: The Sarsuela remained popular for its social critique, but traditional theater eventually faced competition from the introduction of American cinema.

Poetry and Novels

• Poetry: Early works focused on sentimental love lyrics. Later, practitioners like Jose Garcia Villa introduced modernist techniques (e.g., "comma poems") to the literary scene.
• Novels: While English novels were slower to develop, Tagalog novels flourished during this time.
• Key Tagalog Novel: Banaag at Sikat by Lope K. Santos, a landmark work focusing on socialist themes and labor rights.

Summary of Literary Evolution

1. Reorientation: The adoption of English as the new literary language.
2. Imitation: Rigorous study and adherence to Western literary standards and styles.
3. Self-discovery: Establishing a unique and authentic Filipino voice by mastering English to express regional nuances, cultural identity, and personal experiences.