CHRIST THE KING COLLEGE

Gingoog City
Senior High School Department
S.Y. 2021-2022

MODULE 5 in 21st Century Literature from Philippines & World

MR. JOHN LOUIE P. GUIMARAS, LPT
Subject Teacher

STUDENT’S NAME: ___________________________ Date Submitted: ____________

GRADE AND SECTION: ___________________ Student’s Contact #: ______________
(For Oral Recitation Purposes)

FOCUS MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY (MELC)

We have determined the various literary genres and forms as well as their specific components over the course of
our discussion last week. For this week, we will broadened our knowledge and skills about literature by tackling various
literary themes, techniques and approaches. It is hope that with these topics, we will become effective and meaningful
literalists.

At the end of this module, you are expected to identify:

a. demonstrate ability to compare and contrast the various 21st Century Literary Common
Themes, Literary Elements, Devices and Techniques, Literary Approaches and Literary
Genres and the ones from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and
traditions with the use of two representative texts from the classic and contemporary literature
through a graphic organizer.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lesson 1: LITERARY THEMES
Lesson 2: LITERARY TECHNIQUES
Lesson 3: LITERARY APPROACHES

Review: How did the literary forms discussed last week reiterated the evolutionary characteristic of literature?
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Motivation: What literary theme best fascinates you? Explain!
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Lesson I: Literary Themes

Topic Learning Outcomes: By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
1. determine various themes utilized in varied forms of literature; and
2. examine the characteristics and applicability of these literary themes.

A literary theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work. The
theme of a story can be conveyed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination of all of these elements (Atwood,
2021). It also is presented by the writer through several means such as: the characters’ feelings, thoughts and conversations;
the events and actions of the text. It binds the various elements of a narrative and is often about the general truths of life
across cultures. By analyzing the theme of a certain text, you will be able to gain a deeper sense of understanding and
appreciation of a text.

1. STRUGGLE FOR IDENTITY OR PURPOSE

Many contemporary novels address identity as a literary theme. Here, protagonists learn that they can decide who
they want to be – which sounds fantastic, until they realize how difficult that decision is. A character may want to exhibit a
quality he/she admires, like compassion, physical strength, or honesty, but he/she may find it challenging to do so. Identity
as a theme may be presented as choice, self-acceptance, and identity crisis, hiding one’s identity or even a twist in identity.
(Sara Letourneau, 2017 https://diymfa.com/writing/identity-theme-ya-literature)

Examples:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen

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Chbosky
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

2. EFFECTS OF WAR, TERRORISM AND OTHER SOCIAL EVILS

The literature of war has existed since the first literary texts were written. Scholars have been quick to acknowledge
that war is a dominant force in the works of the earliest cultures. It is as universal as themes of love or death or time or human
frailty. The proliferation of recent scholarship on war serves only to remind readers that war is still very much a contemporary
issue and that war literature is a popular topic for publication. The literature of war takes a wide variety of approaches in its
efforts to comprehend the war experience and encompasses scholarship on a number of genres, including poetry, drama,
short stories, novels, journals, diaries, oral histories, memoirs, and letters. (Catherine Calloway, 2017 War in Literature and
Drama.

Examples:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain
One Hundred and One Nights by Benjamin Bucholz
The Watch by Joy deep Roy-Bhattacharya

3. A NATURAL OR MAN MADE CATASTROPHE

Cataclysm, natural or manmade, is one of the most popular themes in
Fiction. Central to the disaster tradition are stories of vast biospheric changes which
drastically affect human life. Tales of universal floods and other motifs, such as plagues,
fires and famines, have an obvious source in the Bible, particularly the Revelation of St
John, also known as the Apocalypse, whence the adjective "apocalyptic", frequently
applied to this form of literature. Disaster stories appeal because they represent everything
readers most fear and at the same time, perhaps, secretly desire: a depopulated world,
escape from the constraints of a highly organized industrial society, the opportunity to
prove one's ability as a survivor. Perhaps because they represent a punishment meted out
for the hubris of technological man, such stories have not been particularly popular
(http://www.sf encyclopedia.com/entry/disaster).

Examples: Pompeii by Robert Harris, Ashes of the Fall (The Remnants Trilogy #1) by Nicholas Erik

4. PERSONALIZED NARRATIVE

Personalized narratives are nonfiction writings that express the experiences of the main characters. Most of the
time, these experiences bring out these interesting experiences of readers: empathy, curiosity, and
responsibility. Empathy includes experiences of identification, theory of mind, and social simulation with the
characters. Curiosity includes the experiences of speculating about plot developments, character motivations,
and the significance of themes. Responsibility is an experience that narratives have struggled to create, with
both radically experimental and traditional storytellers working to produce experiences that result in audiences
reflecting on their own patterns of thoughts, actions, and complicity with the actions of others.
I Am
Malala by Malala Yousafzai

5. EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY
By the beginning of the 20th century, an array of standard science fiction with themes such as negative impacts of
technology had developed around certain themes, among them space travel, robots, alien beings, and time travel. The
customary “theatrics” of science fiction include prophetic warnings, utopian aspirations, elaborate scenarios for entirely
imaginary worlds, titanic disasters, strange voyages, and political agitation of many extremist flavors, presented in the form
of sermons, meditations, satires, allegories, and parodies—exhibiting every conceivable attitude toward the process of techno-social
change, from cynical despair to cosmic bliss. Science fiction writers often seek out new scientific and technical developments in order
to prognosticate freely the techno-social changes that will shock the readers’ sense of cultural propriety and expand their
consciousness (Bruce Sterling, Science fiction Literature and Performance)

Examples: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

6. EFFECTS OF CAPITALISM
Capitalism and literature has a very close relationship. It is an economic system in which human beings have to undergo a series of
events. It deals with social, political, educational, cultural and economic changes. None of the literary work will complete without the

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projection of capitalism. Capitalism is one of the most important aspects of literature. In literature, capitalism establishes a social and
economic contract that makes it possible for individuals to exercise their business. It gives people the ability to be secure in
themselves and their possessions and, having provided security. It also enables people to assume risk that they were previously
unwilling to assume. It creates necessary conditions for people escape from poverty and generate wealth for themselves and for others
poverty, unemployment, oppression, sufferings and exploitation.
Ex. Winner-Take All Politics: How Washington Made the Rich Richer and Turned Its Back on the Middle Class by Paul Pierson
and Jacob S. Hacker

7. MEMORY AND HISTORY

As contemporary readers are able to look back on history and see how history has been depicted differently for different audiences,
history and memory have become themes in 21st century literature. Often contemporary literature explores the notion of multiplicities
of truth and acknowledges that history is filtered through human perspective and experience. Contemporary writers often consciously
draw inspiration and ideas from the writers who have come before them. As a result, many works of 21st literature grapple with the
events, movements and literature of the past in order to make sense of the present. Additionally, the technological advancements of the
21st century have led other writers to hypothetically write about the future, usually to comment on the present and evoke introspection
(Themes in Literature in the 21st Century by Ashley Walton).
Ex. The March" by E.L. Doctorow

8. THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE FROM ONE PLACE TO THE OTHER

Not only does it imply that every writer with a migration background automatically addresses migration in his or her work, but it also
suggests that non-migrant, and even second-generation migrant writers are unable to do so. It embraces all literature written in the age
of migration, addresses migration thematically and, in some cases, stylistically. It is capable of expressing migration experiences:
through its form the migration novel specifically sets out to express the content of our experiences of interculturalism and
globalization and to resolve the problems posed by the same experiences (Frank, Søren. Migration and Literature: Günter Grass, Milan
Kundera, Salman Rushdie, and Jan Kjærstad. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008. New York).
Ex. The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay by Michael Chabbon

Lesson II: Literary Techniques

Topic Learning Outcomes: By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
1. determine various techniques utilized in varied forms of literature; and
2. examine the characteristics and applicability of these literary techniques.

Postmodern Literature is a form of literature which is marked both stylistically and ideologically, by a reliance on such literary
conventions as fragmentation, paradox, unreliable narrators, often unrealistic and downright impossible plots, games, parody,
paranoia, dark humor, and authorial self-reference. Post- modern literature also often rejects the boundaries between “high‟ and “low‟
forms of art and literature as well as the distinction between genre and forms of writing and story- telling (Sheeba 2018, Postmodern
Literature: Practices and Theory).
It is important to know the concepts of Postmodern Literature because the techniques used by 21 st century writers are anchored on
these concepts.
The following are the most common techniques used by 21st Century Literature but introduced during the postmodern era.

1. IRONY, BLACK HUMOR

Irony is originally a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual
meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple
words, it is a difference between appearance and reality.
Examples: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon

2. INTERTEXTUALITY
Since postmodernism represents a decentered concept of the universe in which individual works are not isolated creations, much of
the focus in the study of postmodern literature is on intertextuality: the relationship between one text (a novel for example) and
another or one text within the interwoven fabric of literary history.
Example: The Sot-Weed Factor by John Barth

3. PASTICHE
Pastiche means to combine, or "paste" together, multiple elements. In Postmodernist literature this can be a homage to or a parody
of past styles. It can be seen as a representation of the chaotic, pluralistic, or information-drenched aspects of postmodern society. It
can be a combination of multiple genres to create a unique narrative or to comment on situations in postmodernity. Pastiche
commonly involves the mixing of genres, many other elements are also included (metafiction and temporal distortion are common
in the broader pastiche of the postmodern novel).
Example: “The Public Burning” by Robert Coover (1977)

4. METAFICTION
Metafiction is essentially writing about writing or "foregrounding the apparatus", as it’s typical of deconstructionist approaches
making the artificiality of art or the fictionality of fiction apparent to the reader and generally disregards the necessity for "willing
suspension of disbelief. For example, postmodern sensibility and metafiction dictate that works of parody should parody the idea of
parody itself. Metafiction is often employed to undermine the authority of the author, for unexpected narrative shifts, to advance a
story in a unique way, for emotional distance, or to comment on the act of storytelling.

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 Example: Kurt Vonnegut’s 1969 novel Slaughterhouse-Five

5. FABULATION
It is a rejection of realism which embraces the notion that literature is a created work and not bound by notions of mimesis and
verisimilitude. Thus, fabulation challenges some traditional notions of literature—the traditional structure of a novel or role of the
narrator, for example—and integrates other traditional notions of storytelling, including fantastical elements, such as magic and
myth, or elements from popular genres such as science fiction.
Example: Giannina Braschi's United States of Banana

6. TEMPORAL DISTORTION
This is a common technique in modernist fiction: fragmentation and nonlinear narratives are central features in both modern and
postmodern literature. Temporal distortion in postmodern fiction is used in a variety of ways, often for the sake of irony. Time may
also overlap, repeat, or bifurcate into multiple possibilities.
Example: "The Babysitter" by Robert Coover from Pricksongs & Descants
(The author presents multiple possible events occurring simultaneously—in one section the babysitter is murdered while in
another section nothing happens and so on—yet no version of the story is favored as the correct version.)

7. MAGIC REALISM
Magic realism may be literary work marked by the use of still, sharply defined, smoothly painted images of figures and
objects depicted in a surrealistic manner. The themes and subjects are often imaginary, somewhat outlandish and fantastic
and with a certain dream-like quality. Some of the characteristic features of this kind of fiction are the mingling and
juxtaposition of the realistic and the fantastic or bizarre, skillful time shifts, convoluted and even labyrinthine narratives and
plots, miscellaneous use of dreams, myths and fairy stories, expressionistic and even surrealistic description, arcane
erudition, the element of surprise or abrupt shock, the horrific and the inexplicable.
Examples: "The Ceiling” by Kevin Brockmeier, "Big Me" by Dan Chaon, "Exposure" by Jacob M. Appel, "The
Mourning Door" by Elizabeth Graver

8. TECHNOCULTURE AND HYPERREALITY

Fredric Jameson called postmodernism the "cultural logic of late capitalism". "Late capitalism" implies that society has
moved past the industrial age and into the information age. Likewise, Jean Baudrillard claimed postmodernity was defined
by a shift into hyper reality in which simulations have replaced the real. In postmodernity people are inundated with
information, technology has become a central focus in many lives, and our understanding of the real is mediated by
simulations of the real.
Example: White Noise by Don DeLillo (It presents characters who are bombarded with a “white noise" of television,
product brand names, and clichés.)

9. PARANOIA
The sense of paranoia, the belief that there's an ordering system behind the chaos of the world is another recurring
postmodern theme. For the postmodernist, no ordering is extremely dependent upon the subject, so paranoia often straddles
the line between delusion and brilliant insight.
Example: The Crying of Lot 49 by Pynchon (Long-considered a prototype of postmodern literature, presents a situation
which may be "coincidence or conspiracy -- or a cruel joke"), Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut (This often
coincides with the theme of technoculture and hyperreality. The character Dwayne Hoover becomes violent when he's
convinced that everyone else in the world is a robot and he is the only human.)

10. MAXIMALISM
Dubbed maximalism by some critics, the sprawling canvas and fragmented narrative of such writers as Dave Eggers and
David Foster Wallace has generated controversy on the "purpose" of a novel as narrative and the standards by which it should
be judged. The postmodern position is that the style of a novel must be appropriate to what it depicts and represents, and
points back to such examples in previous ages as and the
Odyssey of Homer, which Nancy Felson hails as the exemplar of the polytropic audience and its engagement with a work.
Examples: Gargantua by François Rabelais, Odyssey by Homer A Reader's Manifesto by B.R. Myers, and Mason
and Dixon by Thomas Pynchon

11. MINIMALISM
Literary minimalism can be characterized as a focus on a surface description where readers are expected to take an active role
in the creation of a story. The characters in minimalist stories and novels tend to be unexceptional. Generally, the short
stories are "slice of life" stories. Minimalism, the opposite of maximalism, is a representation of only the most basic and
necessary pieces, specific by economy with words. Minimalist authors hesitate to use adjectives, adverbs, or meaningless
details. Instead of providing every minute detail, the author provides a general context and then allows the reader's
imagination to shape the story.

Lesson III: Literary Approaches

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Topic Learning Outcomes: By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
1. determine various approaches utilized in varied forms of literary critiquing; and
2. examine the characteristics and applicability of these literary approaches to critique literary pieces.

The work itself (literary piece) is in the center of the map because all approaches must deal, to some extent or another, with the text
itself. To critique a piece of work, one must read first the text. After which, one may utilize any of the following literary approaches
below:

1. Formalist criticism
It is placed at the center because it deals primarily with the text and not with any of the outside considerations such as the author, the
real world, audience, or other literature. Meaning, formalists argue, is inherent in the text. Because meaning is determinant, all other
considerations are irrelevant.

2. Deconstructionist criticism
It is also subject texts to careful, formal analysis; however, they reach an opposite conclusion: there is no meaning in language. They
believe that a piece of writing does not have one meaning and the meaning itself is dependent on the reader.

3. Historical criticism
It relies heavily on the author and his world. In the historical view, it is important to understand the author and his world in order to
understand his intent and to make sense of his work. In this view, the work is informed by the author’s beliefs, prejudices, time, and
history, and to fully understand the work, we must understand the author and his age.

4. Inter-textual criticism
It is concerned with comparing the work in question to other literature, to get a broader picture. One may compare a piece of work to
another of the same author, same literary movement or same historical background.

5. Reader-response criticism
It is concerned with how the work is viewed by the audience. In this approach, the reader creates meaning, not the author or the work.
Once the work is published, the author is no longer relevant.

6. Mimetic criticism
It seeks to see how well a work accords with the real world. How does a piece of literature accurately portray the truth is the main
contention of this literary approach?

7. Psychological criticism
It attempts to explain the behavioral underpinnings of the characters within the selection, analyzing the actions and thoughts
committed fall under any of the identifiable neuroses, whether a psychological disorder is evident among them. Aside from the
characters, the author and even the reader may be criticized as why they exhibit certain behavior during the actual writing and
reading experience.

8. Archetypal criticism
It assumes that there is a collection of symbols, images, characters, and motifs (i.e. archetypes) that evokes basically the same
response in all people which seem to bind all people regardless of culture and race worldwide. This can also be labelled as
Mythological and Symbolic criticisms. Their critics identify these archetypal patterns and discuss how they function in the works.

9. Marxist criticism
It concerns with the analysis of the clash of opposing social classes in society, namely; the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working
class (proletariat) as it shaped the events that transpired in the story.

10. Feminist criticism

It concerns the woman’s role in society as portrayed through texts. It typically analyzes the plight of women as depicted in the
story. Generally, it criticizes the notion of woman as a construct through literature.

REFERENCE/S:
 Lindamichellebaron. 1999. Rhythm & Dues. 5th edition. Garden City, NY. Harlin Jacque Publications/Linda Dudley
 Maramot, Gloria C. et.al. 2005. Synergy 2 Worktext in English. Purok 6,Bagong Pook, Lipa City. Eferza Acaemic
Publications
 Tismo, Boots S. 1995. Spectrum and introduction to Literature. English Department Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan.
Book center Xavier University

FEEDBACK/COMMENTS:

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For questions and concerns, please contact:
Gmail- jlguimaras@gmail.com
Cellphone number- 09976185389
Messenger account- John Louie P. Guimaras

CHRIST THE KING COLLEGE

Gingoog City
Senior High School Department
S.Y. 2021-2022

ACTIVITY SHEET 5 FOR 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM PHILIPPINES AND WORLD
MR. JOHN LOUIE P. GUIMARAS, LPT
Subject Teacher

STUDENT’S NAME : ___________________________ SCORE: ___/35

GRADE AND SECTION : ___________________ Student’s Contact #: ______________
(For Oral Recitation Purposes)

Broadening of Concept
a. How does significant societal events add beauty and conviction to literature?
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Values Integration Activity (4-Pronged Integration)
a. In what way can we maximize literature to intensify service to God and our neighbors?
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Biblical Passage: 2 Peter 3:18
 ““But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!
Amen.”

SUMMARY: What major insight have you derived from the WEEK 5 lesson and how will you apply it in the real-life situation?

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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

SELF-ASSESSMENT:

Activity # 1: Using the literary piece titled, “The Vaccine” by by Jim Bartlett, you are tasked to create an analysis/critique
paper that focuses on the elements, techniques, genres, and approaches used. You are to write your literary analysis on a
long size bond paper. Soft copy of the said article will be sent to you through our group chat.
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Activity # 2: Literary Reaction
Read “Men are From Mars Women are from Venus” by John Gray through this link (https://blog.12min.com/men-are-from-
mars-women-are-from-venus-summary/ ). Afterwards, you will be tasked to provide a brief yet comprehensible reaction
about the poem. Write it on the space provided below. Please also prepare for sharing of your insights and gains about the
said literary piece.
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