EXERCISE 2.

Words to Look Up

Epiphany-a sudden and radical changes of mind that is not necessarily caused by external forces

Cathartic- providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing
catharsis. It is a change in a person by changing perception of world, surroundings and society which
affects emotion, idea and philosophy in life.

Catharsis- caused by internal processes contemplation and self-analysis.

Irredentist- a political principle or policy directed towards the incorporation of irredentas within the
boundaries of their historically or ethnically related political unit.

Questions to think about and discuss

1. Why is the written word more powerful than the spoken word?
In different discussion of history, writing has biggest contribution and
considerable the most powerful weapon than spoken word in such various reasons.
First, writing allowed individuals to express what they need, wants and necessary too.
Through these way of expression, it froze the ideas into a medium rather than spoken
likewise, clay tablet, cuneiform and other type of writings. Second, the message itself
will retain and never undergone changes. No one can revised the ideas and content of
specific literature. It can be passed from one generation to another without changing
the content itself, without adding information, and wholehearted message. After
transmission of the ideas, then, the culture, beliefs or any content of writing will never
fade. The present times is such an evidence of it. Third, writing can create changes
internally and externally aspects of human or even specific country. Like what Rizal
did, Filipinos develop their patriotism and nationalism through writing of his novel
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibustirismo. Throughout these, attainment of freedom and
independence of the Philippines attained from the hand of colonizers.

2. What is the power of literature and how could it be used?

 Literature, a concrete outcome of writing. Thus, the power of literature is the
power itself of writing. It has vital role in disseminating information and untruth.
Literature was created in different purposes such as to inform, means of expression,
as a guide, to send message, means of entertainment, to serves as a records of the
past, to convince, and to inspire. To be precise, literature fulfill the daily needs of
human in coping, conquering and struggling the life. What changes we have, what we
attain in the future and what we have in present times is also given to all of us
through the guide of literature. Importantly, what we discuss and learned in schools is
given by the literature. Indeed, literature is versatile and powerful.

3. In what way literature can have different effect on the readers? Give concrete examples.
Literature is everywhere. Look around, what people acts is being learned from
the literature. Good example is cooking, chief at first will never cooked foods without
the help of manuals and procedures of cooking. Another, the contribution of Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibustirismo which awakened the true blood of a Filipino. Literature
effects to individuals will always depending on the purpose of writing. Music and
poems which specifically for the entertainment and expressions of feelings to
someone. With my case, I tend to feel the pain and happiness of composer of songs I
tend to hear in everyday lives. There is no doubt that literature affects the internal
and external aspect of human.

4. Why did Filipinos identify themselves with Isabella during her struggle for the Spanish throne
and why did they identify themselves with Bernardo Carpio?
Like Isabella, we; Filipinos received and experienced the discrimination during
the Spaniards colonization. Since her half-brother succeeded the throne, we identify
ourselves as Bernardo Carpio. Another reason, we are alike to his since we fight for
our freedom and independency of our country from the hand of the Spaniards.

5. How was literature used to stir up people to fight for their freedom?
Philippines attain the democratic government which develops the freedom of
individuals in many aspects of governing the nation. The purpose of literature which is
informative, convince, a guide, expression and inspire human has the capacity to stir
up the people to fight for their freedom. We can be unite through the help of
literature like what the impact and contribution brought by the novels of Rizal, like
what the message disseminated during the EDSA people power, like what newspapers
usage in our daily lives and many more. Literature could also use in different ways
such as development, war, and ect. It always depends of the purpose itself of the
literature.