AnalysisIn Philippine Literature

Submitted by:Don M. Velasquez.Submitted to:Sir Miller DuronMarch 02, 2009

Dream of Knives By Alfred A. Yuson1 . W h a t i s t h e p o e t s a y i n g ?

The poet is somehow relating to us the father and son relationship in the poem.
He uses asymbolism and that is a knife for a reason. In a knife, it has features that make the
son happy. Healso says the expression of paternal love to his son. Realization on the poem
also considers due tothe father’s frustration for the reason that he had nothing to offer to his
son most especially the idealgift and that is the knife.
a.What are the key ideas, feelings, impressions, or events presented?
The key ideas of this poem are that knife has its own significant function on the masculinityof
man most especially to the son and the father. In this poem, it has two divisions that we
mustconsider and analyze. The first one is that when the father is dreaming about the gift
which is theknife that was given to his son. Then the second division is the awakening. In this
division, youcan see on how father realize that he has no gift to his son. And because of
theses, he was notable to solve this problem. The feeling that is presented in the story is somehow being
hopeful andgrateful at first because he was having this fulfillment that will make his son
happy. Next was thepleasure that it will bring to them because the knife signifies something to them.
Lastly, the father’sfeeling of disappointment. Because of the situation that he did not satisfy this wish or desire
for hisson. The impression presented is somewhat practical or stereotype of a
father figure to a son.Because some of the Filipinos today, they do not have this
connection between father and son.Because somehow, we saw many parents especially the
father nowadays that they are busy thatthey rarely show their love for their son. And because
of this, they lost the father figure in them.Moreover, the hope of the father is also shown in the poem
that it is never late to dream and makethis wish happen. The events presented are can be
observed nowadays. With a typical family mostly the broken family whose they lost, for the
children, the paternal love a father. It is somehowrelated to us all.
b.What is the main idea or theme of this poem?
The subject matter on the poem is that knives show the paternal love for his
siblingss p e c i f i c a l l y t o h i s s o n . I t s h o w s t h a t t h e k n i f e i s b e i n g
r e p r e s e n t e d t h e m a s c u l i n i t y a n d t h e greatness of a man. The theme also of the
poem is that the knife has these special features like itis a tool for bonding or for lay
men term, it is the things that boys only do. And the sense of  individualism (sense of
independence) that the characters must attain.
2.How is the poet saying?
The poet does saying this with a purpose. And that purpose is for us to learn that it is not
toolate to fulfill the wish of a father’s unconditional love to his son. The poet is making
messages in thepoem in its two divisions, the awakening and the dreaming. And in this poem, you can see
how it waswritten and how it was being expressed for the reader to empathize what he meant.
a.Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker who is relating the message is the author itself that represents the
strongdesire of a father. To further knowledge, it can be also the dads who is longing for their son to
hear their voice deep within.
b.What form has the poet used? What sound techniques has the poet used?
There are forms that the poet used in the poem. It has three specific forms. On form is thatit
as bio form wherein A poem written about one self's life, personality traits, and
ambitions.Another one is the free verse form wherein poetry written in either rhyme or
unrhymed lines thathas no set fixed metrical pattern. And lastly, the lyric form
where s poem that expresses the
 
thoughts and feelings of the poet. The sound techniques has the poet used that
you might befamiliar with is alliteration. This procedure is used by starting three or more
words with the samesound.
c.What appeals to the senses has the poet used? What words help the reader
see, hear,feel, taste, and smell the things being described?
Images, symbolism, and representation are the things that appeals to the senses that thepoet
used. It used the symbolism of knife as an instrument for a father and son
tandem. Thisimage somehow gives us a clear glimpse that a knife is not just used as cooking but it is a
tool for bonding. The words that helps us are dream, knife, woke, happiness, and sharp. In
these words,we could see, hear and feel the author wants to point out. With the
words being placed in thepoem, it gives a great impact in the message.
d.What figurative language has the poet used to create word pictures?
Actually the poet uses climax wherein it is a figure of speech, in which words, phrases,
or clauses are arranged in order of increasing importance. Hyperbole also was used that it
may beused to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is rarely
meant to be takenliterally. Next is apostrophe where it is an exclamatory rhetorical figure of speech,
when a talker or writer breaks off and directs speech to an imaginary person or abstract quality
or idea. Lastly, arhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question posed for
its persuasive effectw i t h o u t t h e e x p e c t a t i o n o f a r e p l y . B u t t h e d o m i n a n t
f i g u r a t i v e s p e e c h u s e d w a s w h i c h t h e symbolism of knife is.
3.What is your conclusion about the poem’s meaning and effect? Was it an
effective poem?What aspects of the poet’s ideas and craft do you appreciate? Would
you recommend thispoem to a friend? Why or why not?
This one-of-a-kind masterpiece has the power to let us further consider what a father wants
tohis child. We all know that fathers are rarely expressed their love for their son but in this poem, it
wascontradicting that principle. Because a father wants to offer a gift to his son because he wants his sonto be
happy. But why knife? Knife is used by Yuson because it is a source of masculinity of a son anda father.
Knife is not used as equipment but it used as a tool. In a way, it is a tool for connection (it
islike a boy or men thing) then it is also used as an individualism of each person (we saw the
sense of independence of a father and his son). The effect of the poem is somewhat a
realization for all of usthat we must stay hopeful and we must have a passion with regards to
our wishes and desires. For the fathers, it seems to be their voice that paternal love is never
been lost to them. Yes. It is a goodand effective poem that one must read especially the fathers and also
the sons. I like the message of the poem most especially on how a knife relates to the feelings of a
father. I do appreciate the factthat Yuson takes consider the dads in the whole world. Yes, I would
recommend this poem not just toa friend but also the persons whom they had lost their love and
trust and also respect to their father.That it is not too late to change.
4.In a three paragraph composition, write a three-paragraph composition about the
poem.
Dream of Knives is a poem written by Alfred Yuson that which he emphasize the unconditionalardor to
his son. It is sort of a weird and rare poem because we rarely see a poem written
for thefather and son. And this poem has it. And Yuson properly represents this relationship with a knife as
arepresentation. Yuson uses knife, for the reason that it has this wonderful features that makes the sonpleased.
Consciousness on the poem also take into account due to the father’s dissatisfaction for
thereason that he had nothing to offer to his son most especially the ideal gift and that is the knife.
Yusondivided the poem into two which is the dreaming stage wherein he utters the longing of a father to
hisson thru the gift he wants to offer to him. Second division is the awakening stage wherein
the father realized that this longing is somehow disappointing but there is a solution behind it.
The situation of the poem is somehow related to all of us Filipinos particularly those who are
in a broken family who’s
 
the father are not that close to his son. Knife represents the bonding between them and Yuson makesit a
point that we must aware that fathers really longing for love of his child and also
the love of afather for the sons.Yuson is saying the poem with purpose, motive, and reason.
He uses the poem in expressingthe intention creatively. He made use of three forms of poem for me. It is
the free verse, bio, and lyricform in the poem. They are all similar in nature because they want to
make the poem as simple aspossible and with the complete intention of the poet in the content. The
speaker for the poem is all thefathers specially the ones who are longing for their children. He
uses alliteration to make the poemsounds great. He also placed many figurative speeches and
one of that is symbolism which is theknife. And the metaphor that explains on how the knife
is related to the father and son relationship.Also rhetoric questions that a figure of speech in the form
of a question posed for its persuasive effectwithout the expectation of a reply.The conclusion on this
poem is really for the father to not further agonize their hardships thatthey must show their
paternal love fast to their children before it’s too late. Longing is seems to bedifficult but if
you want your child to be happy, spend time with them and bond with them.
Kniferepresents not just equipment but a tool. A tool for bonding and a tool for
independence so you cansee the feeling of masculinity of man because of this.
Man of EarthBy Amador Daguio1 . W h a t i s t h e p o e t s a y i n g ?
The poet is pronouncing about what certainly is the basis of our life and what the end
resultfrom that basis of life is. It speaks about the old story of “Si Malakas at si Maganda”, a Filipino story
of creation. It as well says about a bamboo that can be compared to us most
specially the Filipinopeople. Bamboo is not just an ordinary plant that we must regret. It has features
and most especiallyits awesome characteristics that made us similar to them. And one by one
Daguio reveals it. On thelast part, he wants us to choose if we want to be like a man or like a
bamboo. But the decision is stillwith us. And in this, we try to figure out the answer on the poem.
c.What are the key ideas, feelings, impressions, or events presented?
The main idea for this poem is what can be the basis of man’s
i n d i v i d u a l i t y a n d characteristic. The subject matter is that we must reflect
and try to dig deep to ourselves and r elate ourselves with a bamboo. In what way we are
comparable with the bamboo and can wehave differences for that. The key idea is that the
real basis of life or where we came from is fromthe bamboo that which is followed on the
story of “Si Malakas at si Maganda”. The story is basedthat a man and a woman does born inside a
bamboo. And the characteristics where the same withthe bamboo. But how his it true and can
we proved it. The feeling is to some extent is kind of  confusing because at first, the
poet seem to reinforce us that we came from the bamboo and tosome aspect, we inherit the
characteristics of the bamboo because we came from it. Because onthe first stanza, it really meant
for the basis of man on where it was originated. Although the poemsuggested the bamboo, others
distinguish it to scientific and religion theories. The impression isquite unrealistic to the
fact that it has insufficient evidences that we came from the bamboo. Although we
have some theories about the origin of man but this kind of thing is not yet proven byscience or by
religion. The event presents on how the origin of life was based. So as we can see,it is the story
on how we are made and became a human being on earth.
d.What is the main idea or theme of this poem?
It put into words about a bamboo is compared to us because of its characteristics
andfunction and one of that is its flexibility. The idea of this is that in every situation, may it
is good or bad, we must be flexible at all times. Likely, we must be tough as a
bamboo in order to us tosurvive the storm. This poem gives us a glimpse on how we are
supposed to live our lives frombirth until now that we are experiencing lots of struggles and dilemma.
2.How is the poet saying?a.Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker of the poem is himself and the whole humanity. Because, we are all indeedwant
to know our basis of life or our origin. And this poem discussed one of the possibilities
thatwe came for this source.
b.What form has the poet used? What sound techniques has the poet used?
The form used by the poet is a ballad type of poem that is a poem that tells a story similar to a
folk tail or legend which often has a repeated refrain. Also he used Rhyme form wherein
arhyming poem has the repetition of the same or similar sounds of two or more words, often
at theend of the line. And lastly, it is also a narrative form due to a poem that
tells a story. He usesrhyming words as a sound technique that makes it more formal and artistic.
c.What appeals to the senses has the poet used? What words help the reader
see, hear,feel, taste, and smell the things being described?
Images, symbolisms and emotions felt on the poem are appealing to the senses that thepoet
used. It uses the symbol of bamboo. And bamboo in fact has the same trait and attributes
aswith us. The words that for me is considered to help the reader see, hear, feel, taste, and
smellthings being described are bamboo, bend, flexibility, and man. These words would
complete themain idea of the poem. It gain the understanding of the message that the poem must have in
ablefor the reader to see it. 
d.What figurative language has the poet used to create word pictures?
It uses metaphors as the figurative speech in this poem because of the comparison of manand
the bamboo in the aspect of individuality and functions. It also has the following
figuratives p e e c h e s : a l l e g o r y i n w h i c h a n e x t e n d e d m e t a p h o r i n w h i c h a
s t o r y i s t o l d t o i l l u s t r a t e a n important attribute of the subject. Then apostrophe where
addressing a thing, an abstraction or aperson not present. Next is hermeneia wherein
repetition for the purpose of interpreting what hasalready been said. Lastly, innuendo in
which having a hidden meaning in a sentence that makessense whether it is detected or not.
3.What is your conclusion about the poem’s meaning and effect? Was it an
effective poem?What aspects of the poet’s ideas and craft do you appreciate? Would
you recommend thispoem to a friend? Why or why not?
The poem states that we are really like a bamboo that we can adopt in every situation that
weencounter and will encounter in our daily lives. It said that bamboo is so strong and
flexible, it onlydetermines that Filipinos are strong-willed and strong-faith persons that
whatever happens on us, wem a k e s u r e t h a t w e s t o o d s t r o n g e n o u g h t o f a c e t h e
m o s t u n d e s i r a b l e p r o b l e m s t h e w e c a n experience. In this poem, we must choose if
we want to be a bamboo or a human. But of course, wechoose to be human than to be a
bamboo. Why it is so? Because we have limitations unlike the bamboo that it just
follows without complaining. Moreover, humans are much greater than bamboo insome aspects.
Furthermore, we can appreciate more the beauty of the world if we became humansand choose
to be humans. This poem also utters the difference between a myth and a creation story.Yes, it is an effective
poem because I appreciate that he represent and discussed about bamboo not  j u s t a n o r d i n a r y
plant but a living thing that can have a relation with us, humans
t h r o u g h characteristics and values. Determining the deeper meaning of the poem per stanza
is the aspect of the poet’s craft that I do appreciate. Yes. I would recommend this to all. Since
this poem is a kind of reality check and somehow a basis for our best asset as a Filipino
which is being tough and being“madiskarte sa buhay”.
4.In a three paragraph composition, write a three-paragraph composition about the
poem.
The poem is called Man of Earth written by Amador Daguio that tackles about the basis of
our life which is we are came from the bamboo which is inspired by the story of “Si Malakas at Maganda”.I t
talks about a bamboo which we originated from and we inherit
t h i s p l a n t ’ s f u n c t i o n a n d characteristics. Flexibility is the characteristic that all
Filipinos have and bamboos have. But since weare human in nature, we are much greater
than bamboo. Since bamboo has limitations compared tohuman, we have a great advantage
over it in some aspect. It differentiates the difference betweenmyths from a story of creation.The
poem is in the ballad form which tells a story similar to a folk tail or legend. Also he
usedRhyme form wherein a rhyming poem has the repetition of the same or similar sounds of two or
morewords, often at the end of the line. Rhyming words adds spice and artistic edge of the poem. Then
wealso consider to poem to be a narrative form due to a poem that tells a story. It
uses symbolicrepresentations like a bamboo and it revolves around that image. Figurative
language like metaphor gave it a twist and color. Then allegory in which an
extended metaphor in which a story is told to
illustrate an important attribute of the subject. Then apostrophe where
addressing a thing, anabstraction or a person not present. Next is
h e r m e n e i a w h e r e i n r e p e t i t i o n f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f   interpreting what has
already been said. Lastly, innuendo in which having a hidden meaning in
asentence that makes sense whether it is detected or not. Man of Earth talks about us and we
are thespeaker for this poem. It makes use of representations and emotions for us to
constantly understandwhat the poet in truth say for his message. Flexibility is one of the words that could
complete the ideaof the poem because for that instance, it helps the readers to know the things
that are needed to bedescribe.Man of Earth emphasize more not on the basis of life but on how we
originated our values andcharacteristics. Bamboo is a great representation for it because it can
bend when wind passes to it.And for the Filipinos, it is a sign of determination and urge to
stand up whenever there are problemsexisting. Man of Earth is a very interesting yet
very brilliant poem that gives us a sense of reality check of our character and personality. I
learned in the poem that it is not easy to be a man for somereasons but most likely it is not that easy to be a
bamboo that has limitations.
Bringing the DollsBy Merlie M. Alunan1 . W h a t i s t h e p o e t s a y i n g ?
This poem by Alunan is a female version of Yuson’s poem, the Dream of Knives.
It givesemphasis to relationship of the narrator to the child wherein the narrator is said to be
the mother andt h e c h i l d i s s a i d t o b e t h e d a u g h t e r . S o i n a n u t s h e l l , i t
c o n v e y s t h e s t o r y o f m o t h e r - d a u g h t e r   relationship. And further that it has a
representation of this relationship which are the 2 dolls. Thesedolls represent the past and the
present incident of the characters. In the poem, the mother figureso u t t h e r e a s o n b e h i n d
the silence of her daughter. It also gave us the understanding and
t h e knowledge that a doll. Doll is a miniature of human figure which is usually associated to
young girls.Dolls can be considered as a precious treasure of a child. As time goes by, she
was so attached to itthat the doll became a very important and special in her life
a.What are the key ideas, feelings, impressions, or events presented?
The key ideas of this poem is that it is a mother-daughter relationship poem wherein
theyrevolve around this ragged and tattered dolls in which represents the past and present
incident of the two characters. The incidents were somehow miserable as I understand the
poem. As for ther e a s o n t h a t t h e y t r a n s f e r t o a n o t h e r p l a c e l e a v i n g t h e d o l l s
b e h i n d . T h e m o t h e r f o r c e d h e r   daughter not to bring the doll because of its appearance but the
daughter really loves the dolls butdecided to leave it. On the boat, the mother is crying because she
empathized her daughter thatshe felt that her daughter felt alone. But the mother was puzzled
on why her daughter remainssilence. Her silence means that her daughter protest to her
mother for the reason that she lovesthat dolls but because her mother forced her not to bring
that, she remained silent. Feeling of grief, depression, misery, and regret were presented on
the poem. Because in the poem, there isa reason for them to leave the place and transfer to another
place. And I see for that reason is thatthey were an occurrence to the child that makes it miserable. They leave
the dolls behind due to itrepresents the child was being maybe maltreated or abused. And as the
story goes, the sorrow of the mother was seen because of what the daughter acts. And the silence of the
child makes it alsogive us the sense of regrets and distress. Because the daughter is longing for
the doll because of her love to this toy. The impression presented was good in a sense that it differs in the
mood that itfocuses on the sorrowfulness of the mother and daughter. The events presented
were significantsince some people do these things for them to forget something, and this thing is a
miserable one.
b.What is the main idea or theme of this poem?
The main idea for the poem is that one must never lose faith to the ones you love the most.I f y o u w a n t
something and you wish to have it, go and fight for it. It shows the
l o y a l t y a n d faithfulness of people where in terms of things they love. And as the poem
shows, the daughter really is longing for that doll because the connection of the
doll to the child. Because of the childish act of the child that because it is a toy, it is her
companion, she wants it to bring but themother forced her not to bring that and as a protest,
and as a worth fighting for, she protest bybecoming silent. Furthermore, there will always be
consequences to our actions and sometimesyou have to risk what you can afford to. We made our
choices and decisions on what to value andkeep in our hearts. Just like the mother, we don’t have
the right to reprimand what’s significant toother people based on our value system.
2.How is the poet saying?a.Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker of the poem is the author herself as a mother. Then in the point of view, it is onthe first
person because of the "I" word used in the poem. The speaker also represents as
amother and representation of all the mothers all over the world.
b.What form has the poet used? What sound techniques has the poet used?
The forms used in the poem are the following: Bio, a poem written about one
self's life,personality traits, and ambitions. Like in this poem, you can see the trait of the
mother that youcan see in oneself and also the daughter as well. Next is free verse, poetry written in either
rhymeor unrhymed lines that have no set fixed metrical pattern. Then lyric form, a poem that
expressesthe thoughts and feelings of the poet. And in the poem, it expresses the feeling of the author to
her child. Lastly, narrative because this poem tells a story. The poem does not
have any soundtechnique that she used.
c.What appeals to the senses has the poet used? What words help the reader
see, hear,feel, taste, and smell the things being described?
Images, symbolisms and emotions felt on the poem are appealing to the senses that thepoet
used. In the poem, the girls silence means a thing. It in fact, utters her protest because of thedesire to have
the doll but because of her mother’s will, she cannot bring them with her. Also theempathy of
the mother symbolizes the connection between her and her daughter. Then the imageof the doll. Doll is
what the poem focuses on. It is the representation of the “worth fighting
for”phrase means. It also represents the femininity, innocence and the companionship it
brings to agirl. The words are left behind, dolls, loyalty and love, most especially the word silence.
d.What figurative language has the poet used to create word pictures?
The figurative speeches used in the poem are the following: climax
b e c a u s e o f t h e arrangement of words in order of increasing importance. Then
commiseration which is evokingpity in the audience. And lastly, metonymy where
substitution of a word to suggest what is reallymeant.
3.What is your conclusion about the poem’s meaning and effect? Was it an
effective poem?What aspects of the poet’s ideas and craft do you appreciate? Would
you recommend thispoem to a friend? Why or why not?
Bringing back memories especially if it was painful that one would wish not to think about
itanymore, is always not easy to do. Reminiscing is bitter and sweet. Letting go of someone you love isharder
to do especially when you have promised to live together forever. But sometimes life is
socruel that we should have to leave behind a part of ourselves. Fighting someone you loved is not alsoeasy
to do especially when your trust is gone. Our needs and values vary on what are the things
wewant to preserve that make us comfortable and what we would like to keep within our hearts. Just likethe
mother and child, they have different perspectives and values – mother let go of the dolls
whilethe child wanted to keep them. Each has their own reasons that they believe in, either to
keep thesanctity of the family or not. Our past experiences also keep us from going on in our journey and
giveus the strength to stand up when we stumble down. Yes it is an effective poem most especially to
themothers having this kind of situation with their daughters. The idea of how the author
situated thetheme into a scenario. Yes it is a good poem that must all parents to read not just
the mothers butalso the fathers as well. Because you can see the situation and it is really
applicable on the scenarioof every Filipino.
4.In a three paragraph composition, write a three-paragraph composition about the
poem.
Bringing the dolls is the poem made by Merlie Alunan. Doll is a miniature of
human figurewhich is usually associated to young girls. Dolls can be considered as a
precious treasure of a child.In the poem, these are the interpretations: the dolls were missing
an arm and a leg and blind in oneeye, which would possibly refer to a broken family that
were frayed apart The persona of a mother suddenly came when she grabbed those
dolls from the child. The mother was the speaker of the poem and she was speaking
directly to the readers. The mother had taken away the miseries in her life that she was so
ready to go and that everything was neatly packed. The mother do not wantedthose sad events
to mess up with what’s left in her or in anyway stop her from leaving. Maybe what’sleft with
her was her dignity and self-esteem. She had made up her mind that there’s no other way butto let go and
move on. As the only way, the child must also learn that she cannot take what must beleft
behind as a result it means that the child must also accept things or the truth even though it
reallyhurts. It put into picture that the mother even though affected would not
want to let it show to her daughter or even admit to her self that she was crying. It sets the tone of
sadness. She was somehowfighting the sorrow deep inside her heart. She could not wipe away
her tears because she could notremove the grief she felt inside. At all times, moving
on is easier said than done. The past still remains in the mind of the mother and just
like the doll; it is also difficult to leave behind. In life, our actions have consequences and
sometimes we have to risks a little. The child was silent because shewas also affected with what had
happened. The child knew her burdens. Thus, the child would bemore affected with the break
up of their family. But the child has her true rights. That is, she has theright to know the
whole truth or maybe to the extent of choosing between her mother and father. Thetrust and
complete acceptance of truth also depends solely on the child, not on her mother.
Themother should also respect the choice or the decision of her daughter on what she holds
near anddear to her heart.So in the poem, there is a sensitive issue that the reader must
understand. And the author definitely made the poem with the mother as the speaker
directing to child. In addition, the speaker represents all the mothers in the world. And that
child represents all of us. Next the form of the poemis a narrative poem because it tells
us the story about the letting go of the things that might bring t h e m m i s e r a b l e
life. Next is it in a free verse form and a bio form that shows the traits
o f t h e characters similar to us and this poem reflects on us. The story uses representation which is the
dollsthat makes it appealing to the senses. Then he uses the words most especially silence that
stand for t h e o b j e c t i o n o f t h e c h i l d b e c a u s e o f h e r l o v e t o t h e d o l l . H e
u s e s m e t a p h o r a s t h e m o s t s e e n figurative speech and further she uses symbolism., climax,
commiseration, and metonymyThe basic storyline of the poem is told through the
persona (the mother) in the form of amonologue. The mother has decided to
move her family to another place, and tells her young daughter to leave her two threadbare
dolls behind. The mother thinks to herself that this is the correctthing to do, since she wants to teach her
daughter some lesson. On the boat the mother tries to holdback her tears when she sees
the dolls tucked away among the packs; it is at this point that themother realizes
the reason behind her daughter’s silence: the daughter knew all along what
sheneeded to do, which was to keep her own faiths and stay loyal to the dolls whom she loves. The
poetdecided on it precisely to heighten the tragedy of her persona’s realization- that she must
respect her daughter’s choice too in bringing the dolls.
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