A Class Anthology of Literary Criticism by Grade 10-Apollo 2018-2019

A Structural Analysis On The Poem

"Invictus" By William Ernest Henley

A criticism by Jeah B. Alvarez

The poem, "Invictus" written by William Ernest Henley talks about freedom in terms of decision
making vouched by the last two line: "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul."
This also tells how he, as a human, had fight for whatever life throws at him and that "Under the
bludgeoning of chance. My head is bloody, but unbowed." And through time which passes was
also the danger but he boldly stated he won't be afraid, he isn't scared: "And yet the menace of
the years. Finds, and shall find, me unafraid." No matter how narrow his way is, he is still the
one to maneuver his life's journey and that he has the free will to do so.

This literary text is unified in terms of its Syllabication and Rhyme scheme. Its syllabication,
from the first line up to the 16th, is eight (8) and its rhyme scheme is of a-b-a-b, which follows
and an example of Shakespearian Rhyme Scheme. Figures of speech add life to every meaning,
especially the use of oxymoron. According to Merriam Webster's Dictionary, oxymoron is a
combination of words opposite or very different in meaning. In line 10, "Looms but the horror
of the shade", "Horror of the Shade" is an example of oxymoron in which "horror" and
"shade" are two contrasting things. Horror can be affiliated to fear or a feeling of fear while
shade can be affiliated to peacefulness. In addition to that, senses, especially imagery is present
as to stanzas' one, two, three and four, respectively.

Wiliam Ernest Henley's "Invictus" is a nice inspirational poem as it's all about life's battle and
freewill. I would like to recommend this to young adults, adults and most especially to teens who
has lots of struggles during teenage days and adults who has hard time in making decisions.

There’s Another World Hidden in Each Child’s Eye

A criticism by Jeah B. Alvarez

Bridge to Terabithia is put to existence because someone created it. It is put to life because they
believe in it. This timely movie depicts the life, losses, acceptance and friendship of two
youngsters: Jesse "Jess" Aaron and Leslie Burke. The two met in a school's running event and
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they constantly became friends. Thus, Leslie invited Jess to Terabithia, a world she created and
together, they put and make everything inside it alive. Making Terabithia a reflection of their
own lives.

Bridge to Terabithia is a nice movie in which you can see both life and world in the eye of a
child. Imagination is sometimes our way to escape reality and some other time, the best way to
forget and cope up with our grieves, pain and losses. This tackles the story and scenes of
bullying, friendship and life in a child's perspective. As a child, we often see things by the way
we only want to see. Touch the things we want to touch, feel the things we want to feel and hear
things we only want to hear. So when Jess and Leslie brought Terabithia to life, together, they
make extraordinary adventure out of ordinary living.

Leslie Burke best articulates the view point of friendship. It is when she tried to be friend Jess
despite the fact that he is somehow irritated towards her from losing on their running event. She
also did well in creating Terabithia and shares it with Jess. They created characters in their
imagination that much resembles the people around them in school (Janice as the troll and a
squirrel-like creature that resembles Hoager, another bully). And how Leslie consoles Janice
Avery, a campus bully, when she heard her crying on one of the cubicles on the girl's comfort
room and learned the fact that Janice's acts of bullying was due to her abusive father.

It's always nice being a kid but the thing about Terabithia is it doesn't just tell us to enjoy life
while we're still kids. It gives us the lesson and inspiration to make life as creative as possible
despite the reality that it isn't easy. "Don't be blinded by what you see outside, because in the
inside, it's often a different story ". Janice gives us that idea. She's a bully and an extortionist
(asking payment for peeing from lower grades) yet what is her reason? A study says that one of
the reasons why there's a bully or bullying is because they've experienced it themselves. That's
what exactly happens to Janice but later on starts to change when she realized she can have
herself a friend (Leslie). Leslie teaches us how to "forgive" and "be a friend". She forgives Janice
for everything she has done and even consoles her. While she be friended Jess though he's kind
of irritated with her. Leslie's character is an example of a child, a friend, a sister and a daughter
who isn't driven by pride. Lastly, Jess. Jess teaches us that "guilt will only hold you back from
reaching and doing something if you'll cage it within you". He feels an overwhelming guilt upon
Leslie's death when he didn't invite her for a museum tour with their music teacher. He tried to
run away but his father consoles him to keep their friendship alive for her sake. And so he
decided to bring back Terabithia again and build a bridge across the river and welcomes a new
ruler (his sister May Belle as the new princess and him as the king). He also teaches us to move
forward. According to Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life", "Everyone's life is driven by
something". One of the most common is people's lives driven by guilt. He stated that guilt-driven
people are "manipulated by memories. They allow their past to control their future and often
punished their selves unconsciously". But Jess moves on. He decided to move forward and keep
their friendship and re-builds the only thing that causes and made their friendship strong.

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Happiness, pain, and friendship – we'll experience all of that and so much more for as long as we
live. But like Terabithia's characters, let's be like them. Let's be Janice Avery who changes for
good and realizes that there's more to life than scaring and hurting people. We can't let others
experience the pain we felt just because we thought it would only be fair. Let's be Janice who is
capable of changing. Let's be Leslie who is a daughter and a true friend. Let's be Jess who carries
on with life despite all pain and hardships he's suffered and experience. And so as a young teen, I
would like to invite and recommend this to everyone – all ages. Watch "Bridge to Terabithia"
and enter another world we could use to carry on with life when its ride starts to become bumpy.

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Understanding Philippine History

Through Noli Me Tangere by J.P. Rizal

A criticism by Jeah B. Alvarez

Juan Crisostomo Ibarra is a young Filipino who after studying for seven years in Europe, returns
to his native land only to find that is father, a wealthy land owner, had perished in prison as the
result of a quarrel with the parish curate, Padre Damaso. Ibarra is in love with the beautiful and
accomplished maiden named Maria Clara, the supposed daughter and only child of the rich Don
Santiago delos Santos, commonly known as "Capitan Tiago".

Ibarra resolves to forego all quarrels and to work for the betterment of his fellow people. To
show his good intentions, he seeks to establish, at his own outlay, a public school. But due to
some encounter and unfortunate circumstances, Ibarra was excommunicated from the church.
Fortunately, Ibarra succeeded in removing the excommunication on him and another
misfortunate matter arises. He was ruined as believed to be in the leadership of a Civil Guard
(secretly brought about through the agents of Padre Salvi) and he was forced to seek refugee by a
mysterious friend and an outlaw in the person of Elias. But due to wishing on seeing Maria
Clara, he refused to make his escape and when the outbreak page occurs, he was arrested and
was thrown to prison in Manila.

Upon learning the reported death of Ibarra, Maria Clara becomes disconsolate and begged her
supposed godfather Fray Damaso, to put her in a nunnery. Oblivious to her knowledge of their
real relationship, the friar breaks down and confesses that all the trouble he had starred up with
the Ibarra's was to prevent both lovers from marrying so that Maria Clara and her future children
would be spared to the oppressed and enslaved class. He finally yields to her wish and she enters
the nunnery of St. Clara, though no one knows what had happened to her or the fate she'd
suffered after that.

Move to Equality: A Gender Approach in Criticizing the Poem Gahasa

by Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo
A criticism by Jeah B. Alvarez

Mabanglo's poem, "Gahasa", tells and shows what and how women experienced in the bigger
society: treated unfairly.
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Women play vital roles at home. They are the ones who give birth to great men. But the poem
"Gahasa" by Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo only shows that once in the long history of humanity,
women received unjust and unfair treatment. Dating way back, women used to be inferior than
men. It can be vouched by the real-life harassment case between Anita Hill and Clarense Thomas
(the case in which the author of "Gahasa', Mabanglo, had taken an inspiration in writing the
poem), instead of acquiring justice, Anita had been put to questioned and the real-life experience
of the author herself when she was young. Both cases only shows men's superiority over women
in the society.

Yes, "Gahasa" by Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo is a poem that addresses an issue, gender relates
issues especially.

"Pinag-arala't pinangaralan ang ngalan ko't kasarian."

The last line from the last paragraph is a proof that gender inequality is extant in the society. This
poem aims to motivate everyone into opening their eyes. An eye-opener into which the society
needed especially now that people seems to turn blind eyes with one of the real challenge the
world is facing- inequality. Who has the power and who doesn't? It isn't oblivious at all. Since
the first line up to the last of the poem shows how women are treated unfairly just because they
are 'women' and considered inferior to men. So, the poem shows 'men overpower or overrule
women.'

"Ginahasa ako ng mga akala,

Paulit-ulit,
Paulit-ulit,
Hanggang pagkatao ko'y mapariwara.
Pumintog sa puson
Ang haplit ng tinig.
Bitak-bitak ang bungo
Sa madlang hagupit."

This line of the poem shows that Social Injustice is at bay. "Ginahasa ako ng mga akala," a line
that pertains as to how woman at that time is easily judge by the public's eye and how bad
women experienced from the public's judgment even when no one but the victim herself knows
the truth.

"Ginahasa ako ng mga pasya,

Minsan lang,
Minsan lang,
At nagiba ang pag-asa."
The law is ought to protect and ensure the right justice for everyone. And no one should be an
exemption. Everyone should be given justice fairly and no one should be above or under it. It

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should always seek to balance both of the opposing cases and not just hastily decide based on
gender or allegations and/or assumptions.

"Ginahasa ako ng mga salita,

Paulit-ulit,
Paulit-ulit,
Hanggang magutay ang diwa.
Buntis ang alaala
Sa mga alimura,
Pasa-pasa ang puso't
Lama'y salanta"
I have read once, "Emotional torture is more deadly than physical pain." It's better to be hit
physically than being hurt emotionally because words and judgments hit like knife. Cuts on skin
heal but the scars are left deep within and may not live the host's (victim) memories. And it's
deadly. The victim won't just experience physical pain but also suffers emotional trauma.

So, everyone in the bigger society, all ages who are able to understand the poem better read this.
This poem will serve as an eye-opener for everybody, women especially. A move to which
everyone will be enlightened to have equality. No rich, no poor, no white, no black, no weaker or
stronger, no discrimination. Just people who aims on finding better future. Let's practice living in
a world where each and everyone plays their role rightfully. National Security to ensure people
safety, parents to guide their little ones, laws to implement the right justice, and everyone
treating everyone, fair and square.

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Face Life With Flying Colors: Vincent Van Gogh

A criticism by Jeah B. Alvarez

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) is a Dutch painter. One of the foremost Post-impressionist, he
greatly influenced early 20th-century painting, especially Impressionism. Vincent Van Gogh's
personal, highly emotional paintings are among the most original and appealing in modern art.

Vincent Van Gogh's life was short and tragic. In less than 10 years he painted and draw
hundreds of unforgettable landscapes and vivid still life portraits but he sold only one painting on
his lifetime. Attacks of insanity alternated with period of clarity during which he wrote revealing
letters to his brother Theo.

Van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, the son of a Dutch clergyman. After failing as art dealer's
assistant, teacher, and evangelist, about 1880 he decided to try painting. He used peasants and
miners as subjects for dark somber, works such as The Potato Eaters. And though he studied
briefly in some places like Brussels, The Hague and in Antwerp, he is largely self-taught.

Van Gogh persuades Gauguin to join him in the South of France in 1888 where he had gone for
his health. They lived at Arles but quarrels constantly in which at some circumstance Van Gogh
had attack Gauguin with a razor and in remorse, cut off his own ear. Realizing he's insane, he
spent sometimes in the hospital at Arles. He moved to the asylum at Saint-Rémy, near Arles on
1890 and for long period he was sane. He's one picture was sold in 1889 and a favorable about
his work appeared. He moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, where he worked with fresh enthusiasm. Soon
after, however, despairing of ever being cured, he shot himself.

I chose Vincent Van Gogh's life story as the one to critique. Van Gogh's life story left me
flabbergasted after reading it. For a famous painter whose works are of bright colors and simple
designs that mark his later works, who would have thought he had gone through thick and thins?
Even suffer insanity. He has painted over hundreds of painting works but he only sold one that
also left me astounded. But nevertheless, even if he'd sold only one of his work, suffered insanity
and shot himself, I still respect him as a painter and as a person. He'd suffered a lot when he's
living and maybe, at that time, shooting himself was his last cry while he's still alive.

Vincent Van Gogh's life story's not as colorful as his art works. It is actually a bit dark. But, I
would still recommend this to people at my age and to adult people. Vincent Van Gogh, his life
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is tragic but we can make his life as a basis of inspiration. Not that we also do the same as he did,
but let's thrive hard like what he did but still keep ourselves healthy physically, mentally and
emotionally. No matter what life throws at us, let's still face it with flying colors.

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An Analysis of Hamlet by William Shakespeare

A criticism by Jeah B. Alvarez

Hamlet, as a literary text just only shows that "a life for a price of another life" doesn't always
prevail. Not because someone is murdered you should murder the felon too.

Hamlet is a nice work of literature not just because it is the famous great writer, William
Shakespeare, himself wrote it but the moral inside Hamlet itself. Hamlet wants to avenge his
father's death by killing the malefactor but couldn't bring himself to do so, maybe because, by his
subconscious nature, Hamlet knew that "killing" isn't always right and justifiable. And that it will
only be a root to a more and deep case of hatred and agony.

I will recommend this literary work to all so that well be mentored and shall realize on our own
that revenge is not a way to solve a problem or a feud between two companies. Forgive those
people who trespassed against you, because karma is sweeter than revenge.

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Friendship Is A Friendly Feeling

Criticism by: Adrian J. Carbaquil

Friendship is a rosebush that blooms beautiful when natured with love it grows stronger take away its
petals they shall regrow. As a rosebush it contains thorns Needles that prick the unaware heart
leaving a bleeding scar that needs to be healed. As a rosebush it will die when kept out in the harsh
winter it will weather and fall. Friendship is a rosebush that blooms roses small blooms of love that is
shared by all but if not love, they shall weather in the winter.

This poem tells that if a friendship will rosebush the blooms will have a beautiful natured with love
to go stronger that take away to its petals that grows.

A friendship represent in a beauty characters or she’s or herself that contains thorns needles that prick
unaware hearts that has bleeding scar that needs to be healed.

I recommend this poem to everybody because you will learn something on how to love your
friendship and on how to be able to be united to everybody and I want to recommend this poem to be
able to realize that best friend is important in your sadness and even your fears in life and I want
everybody read this poem because you can relate how friendship is it.

RAPE IS A CRIME
Criticism by: Adrian J. Carbaquil

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The poem tells that a boy raped a girl and that’s why he is accused of raping the girl because he force
a girl to have sex with him, a boy did not know that once you raped a girl this is a violence and you
are going to jail because you are doing a bad things.

A girl wants to file a cased to a boy of being raped because he do a bad thing to a girl and after that in
the hearing a girl are getting lose the case because a boy pay the judge so that the boy is not guilty.

I recommend to everyone to read this poem. It is a sad poem because you can cry of what is
happening in this poem because of a girl being raped.

BESTFRIEND IS PERSON WHO HELPS

Criticism by: Adrian J. Carbaquil

You’re the one who by my side when on one else is there. You’re the one I can always count
on ,you always seem to care .you help me through the tough times ,and when l lost all hope , you

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cry with me at sad times, and laugh at all times when you joke. You never seem to judge me or
ever put me down you put a smile on my face , when you ever see a frown. You’ve better than a
brother , you’re more than as my boy – friend ,you have a special place in my heart ,that’s why
your my best friend.

This poem tells that in any times that they together when they laugh and jokes his best friend are
there to help for him in any sadness and judge to all people around them they are not get to
affected to the people that wants to destroy there relationship as a best friend because of that
they believed that god was there to protect them in many sadness or trouble that will my in
counter in this life.

The poem tells that the best friend are not be affected by the people around them because they
know that in any sadness and problems that they in counter they are not give up by they
relationship as a best friend.

I recommend this poem to others because you can relate with your best friend without giving up in
your dreams in life and this poem are give a perfect reason that when ever that they have a problems
that they talked they smile and happy because they believed that when you smile you are not be an
ugly person

THE SEAS OF LIGHTS

Criticism by : Adrian J. Carbaquil

I have thoughts my entire life and I needed to see a seas , Mountains and magnetic city of lights
that needs to be happy. truth is I do not care where I am as long as I have to.

The writer of the poem said that they wants to see a beautiful creature and they wants to see a sea
, mountains and the city were many lights are getting shine in the night time
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This poem are symbolize the thoughts of the people that are wants to see a beautiful city with
many beautiful things that are in that place,

I recommend this poem to all people that read this poem because you can relate this poem from
now that we have it and we have a strong mind and a strong hearts to be able to make this as a
perfect reservation to the next generation of our life

GOD IS OUR SAVOIR AND GOD IS OUR STRENGTH

Criticism by : Adrian J. Carbaquil

God give a strength and health to all people that lived in this world and god make a world that
full of natures , humans and animals

The story tells that god make a world that full of natures , human and animals and god give a
strength to all people that he made in sand and god is our savoir when we are in danger he was
there to help to us and to protect to all people to avoid bad thing.

The story is all about god on how he made a world ,nature’s, humans and animals god is our
savoir when we have a problems and sadness and we think that he was there to help to us and
protect to us in danger .

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And god is our need to fixed our seen and to help to our problems in the our life and we thank
full for him because without god we cannot here and without god we have no universe we have
no nature and animals and actually humans .

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LOVING HANDS AND ARDENT MIND

Criticism by: Adrian J. Carbaquil

I hold with none who think not work a boon , man that he may aid his kind with offerings from
his anvil ,wheel or loom fashioned with loving hand and ardent mind .All of the fine traditions
and the skill , come from my older through the long line down are mine to teach again with
reverent will. Thus I live to serve , who least for pay, with fingers which are master of the tool,
and eyes which light to see the patterns play , as it unfolds ,obedient to each rule of our dear
art .and all my craft is praise to god –at once part homage and part song , my works my prayer , I
sing the whole day long .As faith and beauty shape the forms I raise.

The meaning of this is he/she hold with none work of a boon or something that pleasant or can
help to a benefits the man that he may aid and it is organize the situation in particularly and it
gives a perfect mood.

And in the writers state that he/she said that thus I live to serve ,who will least to pay with a
fingers of a master of a tools were the eyes which the lights are got a patterns by plays it
unfolds ,obedient to each rule of a darer art.

I recommend this because to everybody to read and understand of what is it in the poem tells
about.

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