21st century literature reviewer

21ST PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Definition of Literature

  • Derived from the Latin "littera" meaning "letter of the alphabet."

  • Body of written works associated with imaginative and creative expressions.

Forms of Literature

  • Oral Literature (Orature)

    • Transmitted by word of mouth in societies without writing.

    • Examples: Epics, musical genres, folktales, songs.

  • Written Literature

    • Physically recorded, allowing broader dissemination and preservation.

    • Examples: Fiction, nonfiction, manuscripts, poetry.

  • Digital Literature

    • Text-based content using digital technology.

    • Examples: E-books, interactive stories.

Evolution of Literature

  • Influenced by cultural shifts and globalization.

  • Reflects social movements and identity politics.

  • Driven by technological advancements.

Historical Periods of Philippine Literature

Pre-Colonial Period (Before 1565)

  • Rich and diverse culture with well-organized societies.

  • Governance led by barangays and datus (chieftains).

  • Social hierarchy: Nobles (maharlika), freemen (timawa), slaves (alipin).

  • Religion based on animism.

  • Economies based on agriculture, fishing, hunting, and barter trade.

    • Traded goods included gold, pearls, spices in exchange for silk and ceramics.

  • Art forms included boat building, metalwork, weaving, and tattoos signifying social status.

  • Pre-Colonial Literature:

    • Folktales: Traditional stories sharing culture, values, and morals.

    • Folk Songs & Rituals: Reflect beliefs and identity.

    • Fables: Teach morals through short narratives featuring animals.

    • Legends: Combine history and fantasy to explain origins.

    • Epics: Long narratives celebrating national identity and heroism.

    • Proverbs: Convey wisdom and life lessons.

    • Riddles: Encourage critical thinking.

    • Myths: Explain natural phenomena through supernatural narratives.

Spanish Period (1521-1898)

  • Initiated by Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in 1521 and permanent settlement in 1565 under Legazpi.

Religion and Cultural Changes

  • Conversion from animism to Catholicism; suppression of pre-colonial beliefs.

  • Church influenced education, daily life, and festivals.

  • Adoption of Spanish culture: names, dress, food, and festivals.

Social Hierarchy

  • Included Peninsulares (Spaniards born in Spain), Insulares (Spaniards born in the Philippines), Mestizos (mixed race), and Indios (natives).

Literary Developments

  • Religious Literature: Doctrina Cristiana, Pasyon, and Novena were used for spreading Christian doctrines.

  • Recreational Plays: Like Senakulo (life of Christ) and Moro-moro (depicting Christian/Moro conflicts).

  • Novels: "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" critiqued colonial rule.

  • Narrative Poetry:

    • Awit: 12 syllables per line. Example: Florante at Laura.

    • Korido: 8 syllables per line. Example: Ibong Adarna.

American Period (1898-1946)

  • Established a public school system with English as the medium of instruction.

Phases of American Ideology

  • Period of Re-orientation (1898–1910): Reevaluation of Filipino identity under American rule.

  • Period of Imitation (1910–1924): Imitation of Western literary forms.

  • Period of Self-discovery (1925–1941): Assertion of distinct Filipino voice in literature.

  • Tagalog Poets classified into three types: Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso), Poet of Life (Makata ng Buhay), and Poet of Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan).

Japanese Period of Literature (1941-Present)

  • Tanaga: Traditional four-line poem revived during the Japanese occupation.

  • Haiku: Three-line poems reflecting simplicity and nature themes.

  • Short Stories: Themes of patriotism and resilience, e.g., "Lupang Tinubuan" by Narciso Reyes.

  • Essays: Reflections on wartime survival and nationalism, e.g., "Horizon’s Leap" by Salvador P. Lopez.

  • Plays: Critiqued social issues, e.g., "Sa Pula, Sa Puti" reflects on gambling addiction.

Literary Devices, Techniques, and Elements

Definitions

  • Literary Devices: Recognizable aspects of literature like plots and settings.

  • Literary Techniques: Specific constructions of language to convey meaning, are not always present in every text.

Examples of Literary Devices

  • Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds.

  • Anthropomorphism: Animals or inanimate objects are portrayed as people.

  • Dialogue: Conversations between characters that reveal emotions and context.

  • Foreshadowing: Hints of future events in a narrative.

  • Imagery: Language that evokes sensory experiences.

  • Symbolism: Use of objects or images to represent abstract ideas.

Literary Elements

  • Setting: Time, location, and context within a narrative.

  • Tone: Attitude toward the subject and audience.

  • Point of View: Perspective from which the story is told (1st person, 3rd person, etc.).

  • Characterization: Development of characters, including protagonist and antagonist.

  • Theme: Central ideas or morals of a narrative.

  • Conflict: Central issues faced by characters (man vs. man, self, society, etc.).

Literary Approaches

  • Traditional Approach: Analyzes context, author’s life, historical background, etc.

  • Marxist Approach: Explores socioeconomic factors and class conflict in literature.

  • Gender-Queer Approach: Examines gender roles and marginalized identities.

  • New/Interpretive Approach: Focuses on text-independent meanings; context within the text.

  • Reader-Response Approach: Values audience perceptions; “Death of the author” theory.

  • Formalist Approach: Emphasizes close reading of texts without external factors.