Hannah Erika L.

Guerra

What is 21st Century Literature?

Literature, in its broadest sense, is a “study of our cultural pasts, the experiences and

the ideas and the artworks from those pasts” (Bassett, 2008). The 21st-century literature started

in 2001 and continues up to the present times. It often deviates from standard literary styles

while dealing with current issues and reflecting on technological culture. This kind of literature

consists of Digi-fiction (an artistic experience that incorporates three media: a book, a movie,

and a website on the internet), graphic novels (narratives in comic book formats), manga (a

generic term for all comic books and graphic novels originally published in Japan), chick-lit (a

type of fiction that deals with challenges of modern women funnily and cheerfully), and many

more. Contemporary literature is the continuance of its consciousness leading itself to the

future. Because of technological advancements, our world can now share ideas more efficiently

than ever before. The integration of technology helps in the exploration of historical truths from

human perspectives and experiences. People are currently living in an era where expressions

are multiplicative. It branches out to form a new kind of correlation between each words and

sentences, creating a deeper realization of what is our world today.

What is 21st Century Philippine Literature?

The 21st century of Philippine literature is the birth of canonical works of Philippine

national artists. Literary works from all regions reflect the culture, society, and lifestyle of

different people in the Philippines. Throughout its history, from pre-colonial times until its

liberation, ideas and feelings of the people are conveyed through artistic language. It has been

a dialogue of Filipinos, discovering both existing and new forms of expression. The Philippines

is trying to know its true self, apart from colonizers and oppressors, could project itself as to

whom it wants to be in the future. With the help of technology, the country has made a vast

network of talented authors and writers alike, making literature relatable and inspiring for the

new generation to come.

References:

Cruz, K. M. (2018, May 25). Introduction to Philippine Literature. 21st Century Literature from

the Philippines and the World. https://21stcenturylitph.wordpress.com/introduction-to-

philippine-literature/

Dass, R. (2014). Literature and the 21st Century Learner. Procedia - Social and Behavioral

Sciences, 123, 289–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1426

Department of Education (Philippines). (2013). K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum Senior

Highschool – Core Subject. https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-

content/uploads/2019/01/SHS-Core_21st-Century-Literature-from-the-Philippines-and-

the-World-CG.pdf

Friedman, S. S. (2020). Contemporary Revolutions: Turning Back to the Future in 21st-Century

Literature and Art (Reprint ed.) [E-book]. Bloomsbury Academic.

Ocay, J. (n.d.). What is 21st Century Literature? SlideShare. Retrieved June 29, 2021, from

https://www.slideshare.net/jahwella/what-is-21st-century-literature

Walton, A. (2020, June 5). Themes in Literature in the 21st Century. Classroom.Synonym.

https://classroom.synonym.com/themes-literature-21st-century-8320321.html

(Included additional citations)