LIT005 SURVEY OF ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE DELLEZO, Neiryll Judith T.

TASK 1 20-01199

The history of literature records the prevalence of writings which were penned in order to provide
entertainment, knowledge, or instruction to the reader. It also documents the development of literary
techniques used by the authors to convey their thoughts distinctly and efficiently into their works . Among
the hundreds of countries in the world, throughout the many centuries of proses and poetries, there are
countless literary pieces that embody the history of the world itself . Ancient era literary works rooting
from Sumer to the modern era of literature all carry a piece of history from the time they were written.

Greek mythology is possibly the most well-known piece of literature that became the foundation
of literary works published generations later. Particularly, the concept of the pantheon of gods is most
commonly taken as an inspiration by numerous authors. Each of the gods are so distinct from one another
and are independently remarkable that modern authors cannot pass the opportunity of using this concept
in their own works. Religion in literature is also widely popularised by Greek mythology, although some
people refer to it as a cult rather than a religion . The idea of the origin of the world as well as its end is
another narrative that may be traced from the said mythology . However, it is only fair to mention that
the Bible holds the highest level of fame when it comes to the story of creation and apocalypse. Per the
growing fascination of the people both with history and literature, more and more works inspired by
previously written literature are being made.

One English author (a personal favourite) from the 20th century also applied the concept of the
pantheon of gods in his legendarium. He is J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit,
The Silmarillion, and many others. Tolkien’s literature – though his works are referred to as a mythology
as well by scholars – contains a band of gods called the Valar. The Valar, just like the Olympians, live in
the same world as the mortals but on a separate region where evil is forbidden . Certain gods like Manwë,
the Lord of the Sky and Wind and King of the Valar, resembles Zeus; another god is Ulmo, the Lord of the
Waters, bears similarity with Poseidon. Here is a caveat, however, that the heaviest influences on
Tolkien’s concept of a Supreme God, gods, and angels are from the Bible and the Norse mythology, and
the lightest is arguably Greek. Nonetheless, the idea is most popular in Greek mythology, which is why it
is the easiest to relate. With a more apparent inspiration, Tolkien has another significant character in his
legendarium called Fëanor that exhibits a strong likeness with Prometheus. The two share an association
with fire, and both are rebels against the gods . Despite the lack of a direct allusion in Tolkien’s works
concerning Greek mythology, even the slightest of semblances is not to be overlooked. What connected
Greek mythology and Tolkien’s works is mostly an image of inspiration .

Tolkien became the father of the fantasy literature in general. Multiple races including dwarves,
elves, hobbits, trolls, dragons, orcs are an element of fantasy that owes much to Tolkien . In many ways,
Tolkien set the gold standard for fantasy writing and for the creation of any imaginary world . This is
evident in most of the works published after his legendarium’s explosion with popularity. Generally, the
concept of a hero travelling the world to destroy a wicked artifact was popularised by Tolkien. Another
concept popularised was the major distinction – a clean line – between the good and the evil. Magic in
literature was moderated by Tolkien and was given more limitations . A more modern American author
called George Martin, known for Games of Thrones, has also taken heavy influences from Tolkien. First is
the use of a seemingly weak character whom no one believed in the beginning but turned out to be the
heroes (Frodo Baggins from Tolkien and Arya Stark from Martin) . Martin also took inspiration in the
character arc of Jon Snow as a chosen future king based on Aragorn. The most apparent inspiration that
Martin took from Tolkien is the dragons. It is important to mention that Tolkien did not invent dragons,
but his works were the reason why dragons are even renowned in the fantasy genre . Overall, what
connected the two literatures is also inspiration. While it is true that the British conquered the Americans
in the far past, not all of the transmission of literary techniques originated from the occupation . Especially
in the period of modern literature, the British no longer hold the Americans by the neck and have no
authority over them. Instead, American literature took inspiration from the English which shared the very
language used to write the work.
 On the subject of inspiration, Philippine literature carries an unmistakeable influence from the
Americans. That is the English language. Without a doubt, the absence of American colonialism will not
make the Philippines the fifth largest English-speaking nation that it is today. The use of English as medium
of instruction introduced Filipinos to American modes of thought, culture and life ways that would be
embedded not only in the literature produced but also in the intellect of the country’s educated class .
Philippine literature in English, as a direct result of American colonisation of the country, could not escape
being imitative of American techniques of writing. When the University of the Philippines was founded,
an elite group of writers in English began to exert influence among the culturati . The UP Writers Club had
stated that one of its aims was to enhance and propagate the language of Shakespeare . Paz Marquez
Benitez’s short story, Dead Stars, was published and was made the landmark of the maturity of the Filipino
writer in English. This combination of writing in a borrowed tongue while dwelling on Filipino customs and
traditions earmarked the literary output of major Filipino fictionists in English during the American period .
Even today, as a result of colonisation, tradition, and inspiration, Filipino literature is mostly written not
in our mother tongue but in English.

Upon learning the influences that flow from the first recorded literature to the most current one,
what struck me is that no literary work published in the future will ever be purely original. Because of the
continuous growth of literary arts, be it caused by colonisation or simple inspiration, it would seem like
every subject to possibly base a piece on has already been written about . That is not to say that future
literature must not expect patronage, it is merely an observation . The chance of future literature to be
good, or even better than issued ones, is ever high as long as authors remain true to the purpose of their
writing.

References:
• Bernad, M. A. (1976). Some Notes on the Influence of American Authors upon Filipino Writers.
Comparative Literature Studies, 13(2), 160–164. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40241812
• Purtill, Richard L. (2003). J. R. R. Tolkien: Myth, Morality, and Religion. Harper & Row. pp. 52,
131. ISBN 0-89870-948-2.
• Stanton, Michael (2001). Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards: Exploring the Wonders and Worlds of J. R. R.
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 18. ISBN 1-4039-6025-9.
• Flieger 2002, pp. 102–103
• Morgoth's Ring, Athrabeth Finrod Ah Andreth, pp. 322, 335
• Iliffe, G. (2016, April 9). Greek Mythology in British Literature. English Historical Fiction Authors.
Retrieved March 3, 2022, from https://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2016/04/greek-
mythology-in-british-literature.html