MODULE III

GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED

THE WORLD

Lesson 1 The Most Influential

Books in Human History

Lesson 2 Great Books in World

Literature

Lesson 3 Great Books in Philippine

Literature

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

 MODULE III
THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD

 INTRODUCTION

This module discusses on great books that influenced the world aside from
other great books by foreign authors. It highlights their roles, impact and
importance in human history. It also provides a list of modern books in Philippine
Literature which resonates significant experiences alongside culture, tradition
and language. Examples are provided to enable students to be familiar with these
written masterpieces which are representations of their national identity.

OBJECTIVES

After studying the module, the pre-service teachers are expected to:

1. discuss the characteristics of great books which influenced human history

2. cite examples of modern books in Philippine literature
3. explain the importance of modern books in Philippine literature in the
promotion
4. share insights on plot and themes presented from great books
5. write an academic my day about great books that influenced human
history
6. prepare a television commercial about great books in World Literature
7. create a book jacket depicting the major parts of a masterpiece in
Philippine Literature
8. read examples of modern great books in Philippine and World literatures.

 DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER

Each lesson has four benchmarks to complete in order to continue to the

next parts. These include the 4D’s: DIP (motivation/review), DEEPEN
(content/instruction), DO (performance tasks/individual and group activities)
and DISCERN (reflection/insights). Additional resources from various sources are
also provided for further readings.
The official online platforms to be used will be the Google classroom,
Google Meet, Group Chats and Facebook private group where pre-recorded
presentations, lecture notes, worksheets, requirements and softcopies of reports
will be posted.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

 Teleconferencing via Google Hang-outs/Zoom/Gmail will also be
scheduled every first Wednesday of the month from 10:00 – 11:00 AM (depending
on the schedule as approved by higher authorities and when need arises) to
answer questions and give clarifications on presented topics. Outputs are highly-
encouraged to be submitted on or before the set deadline (with the consensus
from the class) but maximum consideration will be applied.
The course also requires students to engage in various language skills and
to create an output based from the discussed concepts. It is viewed that they
are prepared to learn in every meeting as guideposts and course outlines are
provided on the first meeting.
Students are encouraged to provide their complete details with their
official DMMMSU account to be counted as ‘officially enrolled.’ Confidentiality,
truthfulness and discipline should be practiced. Academic queries should be
directed to the instructor at cbaliton@dmmmsu.edu.ph.

Happy reading!!! 😊

Online References

Ten Most Influential Books in Human History. Retrieved from

https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/the-10-most-influential-books-of-
human-history-9ae9d9bd7501.
The Fifty Most Influential Books of all Times. Retrieved from
https://iedb.org/ilibrarian/50_books _that_changed_the_world.

Our Best Filipino Books of 2020. (Updated November 29, 2020). Retrieved from
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/literature/2020/12/29/best-
filipino-books-2020.html.
Prieto, A. (2019).Notably Excellent Filipino Books You Should Read. Retrieved
from https://topten.ph/2019/06/22/10-notably-excellent-filipino-books-read/

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

Lesson 1

 Most Influential Great

Books in Human History

Being the central forms of knowledge, aesthetic, entertainment and life

lessons, books influenced readers in various ways. They instruct, enlighten and
alter the way of thinking as well as how people see the world. Indeed, great
books create a huge impact in human history as they draw new standards, set
social norms and strengthen thoughts in the academe and in all fields of
discipline.

The Most Influential Great Books in Human History

1. On the Origin of Species ( Charles Darwin, 1959)

The book posits on the evolution of man by natural
selection. It influenced the dogmas of the Church, contrasting
creation from evolution. Readers started to question religious
beliefs which Science is disregarding.

2. The Complete Works of Shakespeare ( William Shakespeare, 1594-

1613)
A collection of 37 plays of William Shakespeare being the
World’s greatest dramatist. His writings influenced all walks
Of life and hailed having a great impact on theatre, language
And literature

3. The Republic (Plato, c.375 B.C.)

Concepts of justice, education, morality, reality and govern-
ment are defined by Plato who presented an ideal individual
As a member of a community in a conversational style. These
Concepts defined the philosophy of idealism which was a refe-
rence of philosophers even the 21st century world.

4. Critique of Pure Reason (Immanuel Kant, 1781)

It defines metaphysic which deals with the perception of
Reality. It postulated man’s reality is not purely on experience
But on reason and thinking too as every view is different.

5. The Meaning of Relativity ( Albert Einstein)

Based from the famous equation E=mc2, it gives an in-depth
explanation of his findings to non-expert readers on the field of
GPS satellite designs and production of nuclear energy.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

 6. Nineteen Eighty Four ( George Orwell, 1949)
It is a novel on totalitarian society which explored on its conse-
quences of such government ( over-reach and mass surveillance).
Although the content clearly showed that such society is not be
neficial, most people in politics refer to it as a manual.

7. Orientalism (Edward W. Said, 1978)

It defined ‘orientalism’ among Europeans and Americans as a
Stereotyped portrayal. It evaluated how the people from the
West think about the people from the East – which may be in
Reference to political issues and concerns

8. The Wealth of Nations ( Adam Smith,1776)

It is considered to be the foundation of modern economics, it
defined the principle of capitalism. It greatly influenced eco-
nomic theories as it emphasized that the best economic situa-
tion was an open completion over uncontrolled government.

9. A Vindication of the Rights of Women (Mary, Wollstonecraft,1792)

One of the first writings which demanded equal rights for women,
It was also a response to the theories opposing education among
them. It provided a great impact on women’s role in the society;
as the book is the extension of a book ‘ The Rights of Man.’

10. The Communist Manifesto (Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, 1848)
It showed a critical denouncement of capitalism as it discussed on class
Struggles, on explotation among working class and uneven distribution
of wealth. These inequalities may result to the overthrow of the
ruling class because education and wealth should be owned publicly.

THINK!

What other book titles have influenced human history? You may post
it and share it.

 LEARNING ACTIVITY

Create an academic my day about a book known to be your

‘greatest influencer.’ The output will follow a format placed in our Google
classroom.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

Lesson 2

 Great Books in World

Literature
Books are written records of the most extraordinary details of man’s
pursuits and adventures. From his narratives of devotion and love, to his
characterization of his inner thoughts – the words solely captured in writing
vehemently depicts the general truths of his existence.

The great books in World literature are representative masterpieces which

are timeless in shaping culture, history and man – along with the humanity.

Great Books in World Literature

1. The Diary of a Young Girl ( Anne Frank)

As a strong symbol of the effects of racial persecution by
the Nazis, this landmark book was an actual diary kept by
a young daughter of a Jewish family in the Netherlands.
It showed a contrast between the young girl’s hopes and
dreams and the reality of her situation during the Nazi’s
take-over.
2. The Rights of Man (Thomas Paine)
Accordingly, the book was written in defense to the French Revolution. It
argued on the legitimacy of political revolution if the government failed
its duty to protect its people.

3. Common Sense ( Thomas Paine)

The pamphlet was anonymously published in 1776 in support of the
Americans fighting for independence against Great Britain. The
masterpiece is considered as one of the all-time best selling American
titles.

4. The Prince ( Niccolo Machiavelli)

It is a political treatise (1935) that offered advice on thriving of political
leaders in the political arena. It is also considered as one of the first works
of political philosophy, its focus on why it was written is still debatable.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

 5. Narratives of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave

(Frederick Douglass)
This narrative was the most famous written piece of former slaves and one
of the most influential texts during the abolitionist movement. It recounted the
life of Douglass until the granting of his freedom.

6. On Liberty ( John Stewart Mill)

This philosophical work is the foundational text for modern liberal
political thought expounding on ethical utilitarianism and the importance
of consequences to actions with the interest of others than one’s own.

7. Moby Dick ( Herman Melville)

One of the greatest American novels, it narrated man’s hunt for the great
whale. The usage of symbolism illustrated the whaling industry in the 19 th
Century and its many different narrative styles and structures.

8. Brave New World ( Aldous Huxley)

A dystopian novel, it is considered as one of the great novels of the 20 th
Century. It showed the loss of individual’s identity due to futuristic
technological advancement - with Huxley’s own fear of emerging youth
culture in its storyline.

9. Don Quixote ( Miguel de Cervantes)

One of the best books written, the Spanish novel promoted adventure,
symbolism and characterization. Originally published as two books, it
featured one of the earliest canonical texts which served as basis among
inspiring artists.

10.Madame Bovary ( Gustave Flaubert)

As a masterpiece of the Realism movement, it described a woman’s story
of adultery as an escape from a loveless marriage.

11. In Search of Lost Time ( Marcel Proust)

The novel was one of the most prominent modern
works of the early 20th Century which explored on
themes of meaning, childhood and memory. The
seven-volume masterpiece also produced ‘writing
techniques’ from differing perspectives.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

 11. One Hundred Years of Solitude ( Gabriel Marquez)
A story of the Buendia family over several generations, it was considered
to be the most significant novels in the Spanish literary canon. It also
depicted the unique Latin American Literary movement of the 1960’s
called the Magical Realism.

12. War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy)

It chronicled the French invasion of Russia in 1812 and clearly
showed the psychological effects of the war.

13. The Tale of Genju ( Murasaki Shikibu)

Known as the first novel written during the 11th Century, it
included many elements of a modern novel. It is considered as
the first and greatest work in Japanese Literature.

14.Crime and Punishment ( Fyodor Dostoyevsky)

The novel explored the mental perspective of an individualistic person
from within, challenging the commands of crime and punishment applied
among the main characters surrounding them.

15.Things Fall Apart ( Chinua Achebe)

It described the oppressed people in Africa while proclaiming cultural
preservation and history amidst Western domination. The novel written in
1958 was illustrative of the damages brought about by colonialism.

16.Faust ( Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

As a tragic play, it was considered as the single greatest work in German
literature. The tale narrated how Faust sold his soul to the devil for
worldly knowledge and pleasures.

17. Beloved ( Toni Morrison)

It was written in honor of the African-American slaves from slave trade, it
was the most recognizable texts in modern literature. It also won the
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988.

18.Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Shaping the high fantasy genre, it is one of the bestselling novels in the
world. It was also a foundational text for all fantasy readers and authors.

19. The Second Sex ( Simone de Beauvoir)

It examined woman’s position defining sex from
gender. It was the first piece which explored gender
as a social construct.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

 20.A Room of One’s Own ( Virginia Woolf)
Delivered by Woolf to two women’s colleges, this essay showed the
differences between male and female writers and how females are
prohibited from carving its own literary niche.

21.Walden ( Henry David Thoreau)

Being a source of inspiration about life outside a defined society, this
masterpiece was a textual reflection of Thoreau’s social experiment of
living in isolation to further understand what society means.

22.A Dictionary of the English Language ( Samuel Johnson)

As the most influential dictionary of the English language, this
complication was the most comprehensive and well-researched
foundational collection on language and lexicography.

23.The Jungle ( Upton Sinclair)

It highlighted the unsanitary practices in the
meatpacking industry. It was most influential
on the reformation of the meat inspection laws
of America; the novel also tackled about the lives of immigrants in
America in the early 20th Century.

24.Native Son ( Richard Wright)

It was an attempt to show the harsh realities of Black people in the eyes
of White America. One of the earliest and most successful books to write
on racial division, Son was also referred as the father of Black American
Literature.

25.Silent Spring ( Rachel Carson)

A book on environmental justice, it led to the serious relationship of
readers to Mother Earth.

26.The Interpretation of Dreams ( Sigmund Freud)

It introduced the concepts and theories of the psychoanalysis landmarks.
It further elaborated on how dreams should be interpreted.

27.The Torah
The written laws and teachings which offered a life for the followers of
the Jewish faith, the text provided teachings and practices for daily living.

28.The Analects of Confucius

Written by the sage Confucius, the collection of sayings and ideas was
read and studied in China for the last 2,000 years and was influential on
Chinese ways of living, thoughts, arts and culture.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

 THINK!
Which among these masterpieces illustrated life lessons as
reflection of man’s ways of existence?

 LEARNING ACTIVITY

Prepare a three-minute television commercial on a great book in

World Literature. Make the output interesting, inspiring and informational.
Graphics, animations and voice over are suggested.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C.BALITON Module 3

Lesson 3

 Great Books in Philippine

Literature

Philippine Literature magnifies the socio-cultural heritage of people.

Filipinos, who are generally hospitable and creative are also known as
voracious readers and are great writers who are internationally acclaimed. A
collection of masterpieces written during the invasion of the Spaniards until
the Modern Era (21st Century) promotes the literary traditions, history and
culture of the country described as the ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas.’

Here is a list of the best known great books in Philippine Literature

which served as a foundation for modern genres, themes and plot among
modern writers.

Great Books in Philippine Literature

1. Noli Me Tangere ( Touch Me Not)

The novel was written by Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the national
Hero of the Philippines. Being the most controversial master-
Piece of Philippine Literature, it paved national consciousness
On injustice and abuse by the Spaniards who invaded the country
For more than 300 years.

2. El Filibusterismo ( The Filibustero)

As a sequel of Noli Me Tangere, the novel’s character Simoun took revenge
in his hands over the death of his beloved, Maria Clara in the hands of the
greedy priests. It made him plan a plot against the government’s fall
represented by religious antics and powerful officials

3. Mga Ibong Mandaragit ( Birds of Prey)

Connected to Rizal’s novels, the masterpiece enunciates
Neo-colonialism and Philippine revolution geared towards
Social changes in the society

4. Florante at Laura ( Franciso ‘Balagtas’ Baltazar)

Known to be an ‘awit’ or ‘poetry’, it consists of four lines
Per stanza and twelve syllables per line. It narrates the
Journey of Duke Florante and Princess Laura, who was
constantly pursued by Count Adolfo, Florante’s enemy.
It was also presented as a play for countless times and
occasions among secondary and tertiary schools

5. The Woman Who Had Two Navels ( Nick Joaquin)

As a historical novel, it presented the effects towards the
Post-war events in the Philippines. The main character named
Connie Escobar believed she had two navels and decided to

Module III
 12

remove one which signifies his new beginning away from a traumatic
past. Another twist includes her knowledge about her mother’s lover
who is her husband, Marco Escobar which made her unravel more life
truths. Nick Joaquin was a National Artist of the Philippines in
Literature awardee in 1976.

6. Banaag at Sikat ( From Early Dawn to Full Light)

Written by Lope K. Santos, it was known to be the ‘bible of the
Filipino working class.’ It ushered the development of how Taga
Log novels were written. The novel illustrated contrasting view
Points in between Delfin (a socialite) and Felipe (an anarchist)

7. Ilustrado
A winner of the Grand Prize in the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize,
Its author Miguel Syjuco combined fiction and non-fiction themes
In the novel. The main character Miguel Salvador was found dead
In the Hudson River in New York. His friend, the author himself
Wished to discover what the mystery behind his death was.

8. Dekada 70’s ( Lualhati Bautista)

The usage of true to life scenarios during the 70’s describing
The execution and abuse of people who spoke against the Mar-
Cos government. The book narrated the story of Amanda Barto
Lome and her five sons who dealt with the law.

9. Dogeaters
It a fictional representation of the City of Manila during the rule
Of Ferdinand Marcos. The author Jessica Hagedorn illustrated
The struggles of Asian immigrants in between cultures on the fe
Male lead named Rio who showed the multi-layered play on
Social concerns of the Philippines and the United States

10. Smaller and Smaller Circles

As the first detective story set in the Philippines, it narrated
Two Jesuit priests named Gus Saenz and Jerome Lucero forensic
works and were instrumental in the discovery of serial killings of
young boys in the slums of Payatas. The detective story made the
author F.H. Batacan a Carlos Palanca Grand Prize for English novel
awardee in 1999.
11. ABNKKBSNPLAaKO?
It narrates the story of student’s life, Bob Ong showed the not-
That-typical novels as it used conversational style and humor. It also
Presented real-life situations in the Philippines.

Here are the modern books from Filipino migration

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C. BALITON Module 3

 13

1. Insurrecto (Gina Apostol, 2018)

Characterized by intersecting storylines, it tells about the story of two
women (a Filipina translator and an American filmmaker) setting out
to visit the Philippines to write two competing movie scripts about the
historical milestones in between the Philippines and the US.
2. In the Country ( Mia Alvar, 2015)
The prose presented a collection of nine short stories set in the Middle
East and the US where exploration of socio-economic inequalities and
politics greatly affect the migrant Filipino workers.
3. America Is Not in the Heart (Elaine Castillo, 2019)
Lyrically presented, it showed a multi-generational family saga as an
illustration of an immigrant in California during the 1990s. It also
reflected on the American dream and the race struggles of people in
the Philippine and the US.
4. The Quiet Ones ( Glenn Diaz, 2017)
The book won the Palanca Grand Prize and the Philippine National Book
Award. It depicted a heist-thriller plot of the cosmopolitan on a call
center agent who attempted to embezzle money from the US
telecommunications company where he led.

5. Patron Saints of Nothing ( Randy Ribay, 2019)

It presented a coming-of-age-tale about a student in Michigan who
travelled back to Manila to uncover the murder of his cousin Jun who
was killed from the government’s fight against drugs. The book was
selected as a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s
Literature.

6. I am A Filipino: And This Is How We Cook ( Nicole Ponseca & Miguel

Trinidad, 2018)
It is a cookbook served as a collection that invites the peculiar tastes of
various cuisines patterned on diverse techniques, influences and
ingredients. Various places include China, Spain, Mexico, the US and the

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C. BALITON Module 3

 14

Middle East. The authors are owners of two famous Filipino restaurants
in New York – Maharlika and Jeepney.

7. The Bamboo Stalk ( Saud Alsanousi, 2012)

The book authored by the International Prize for Arabic Fiction winner
in 2013, it showed the identity struggles of Jose who is a half-Filipino
and half-Kuwaiti teenager. This fiction also evaluated the ill treatment
of domestic workers and illegitimate children.

8. The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe
(Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, 2018).
A culinary anthology on 30 recipes shared by Filipinos living abroad, it
narrates personal anecdotes and backstories which captured cultural
preservation and culinary styles.

9. Hello, Universe ( Erin Entrada Kelly, 2017)

This children’s novel featured characters from various races who
formed unexpected friendships. A winner of the John Newberry Medal
in 2016, it illustrated the issues on self-acceptance and cross-
generational relationships as these issues were once the author’s
experiences as the only Asian student in her school in Louisiana.

10. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion ( Jia Tolentino, 2019)

It featured nine essays on reflections about cultural life in the digital
arena. Being the newest best seller and the year’s most phenomenal
release, book illustrations are mostly on feminism, pop music and
reality television.

11. Elites and Ilustrados in Philippine Culture ( Caroline S. Hau, 2018)

Published after the national elections in 2016, the non-fiction book
criticizes the social forces and literary subjects of the predefined
culture of politics in the Philippines. Han’s pieces also include the
historical monograph, Necessary Fictiosn: Philippine Literature and the
Nations, 1946-1980 (published in 2000) which talks on the relationship
between literature and the nationalist discourse during the post-war
period in the Philippines.

12. Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizens ( Jose Antonio

Vargas, 2018)
As a memoir, it narrates the struggles of the author during his
‘homelessness’ stage brought about by his undocumented status while
working in the US as a journalist. He shared his experiences on his 20 year
challenging adaptation to cultural fluency as a means of survival and
reiterated that Filipinos fit everywhere and nowhere at all.

Modern great books are also written and published in either pdf,
electronic book, streamed online or presented in various digital platforms to
reach more audience. Nevertheless, their contribution in the establishment
of wisdom and knowledge regardless of any mode of publication is truly
indispensable.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C. BALITON Module 3

 15

THINK!
Add to the list of titles of modern great books in
Philippine Literature. What makes it exceptional?

 LEARNING ACTIVITY

Create a book jacket on a modern or great book in Philippine

Literature. It must present the major parts of the masterpiece, its
author’s background, illustrations of characters and life-lessons about
its theme and plot.
NOTE: Be creative, Be comprehensive. Be content-wise.

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C. BALITON Module 3

 16

 MODULE SUMMARY

Heads up, book lovers!

Module 3 discusses on the great books that influenced the world.

Lesson 1 explains the great books which gave a huge impact in human
history. It also provides perspectives on how they instill change in various
aspects of humanity

Lesson 2 expounds on the great books in World Literature. These books

from different categories and genre highlighted their contributions in
language and literature.

Lesson 3 resonates on the great books of Philippine Literature. It also

enumerated modern books which are representative texts of Filipino culture,
arts, values and ideals.

Great work! You just finished Module 3. Continue with the summative
test to further assess what you have learned.

 SUMMATIVE TEST
Performance Task 3

Song Writing

This is now the time for you to show your artistic side!

Pretend that you are a songwriter who likes to write a song about
the characters of your favorite book.

Write the lyrics of your original song and apply an original melody
or adapt one.

Present the song in a Music Video mode.

Please refer to our Google classroom for the guidelines.

Good luck! I know that you can do it! Enjoy the activity! 😊

THE GREAT BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED THE WORLD-C. BALITON Module 3