CHAPTER 1

Literature is the verbal expression, oral or written, of the experiences of the people as influenced by
their history.

ANALYZE LITERATURE: Genres

 Genres- refer to the different forms and classifications of literary pieces. Examples are riddles,
proverbs, songs, myths, epics and so on.

 Riddles- which is bugtong in Tagalog, tigmo in Cebuano, paktakon in llonngo, is folk speech from
the precolonial times characterized as a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a
problem to be solved or guessed. e.g. Bibingka ng hari, hindi mo mahati.

 Proverb- expresses norms or codes of behavior, community beliefs. generally instills values by
offering nuggets of wisdom in short, rhyming verse. e.g. Lumilipas ang kagandahan, ngunit hindi ang
kabaitan.

 Song- is a short lyric poem that is intended to be sung. It has that particularly melodious quality
required by a singing voice. E.g. Anak by Freddie Aguilar

 Myth is a usually traditional story common to the members of a tribe, race, or nation. It usually
involves the supernatural and serves to explain natural phenomena or suggest a religious or moral
truth. e.g. Tungkung Langit and Alunsina (A Panay-Visayan creation myth)

 Folktale is an anonymous, timeless, and placeless story circulated orally among a people. E.g. The
Misadventures of Juan Tamad

 Epic is a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical
hero. E.g. Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang), an Ilocano epic.

USE READING SKILLS: The Author's Purpose

Authors write with an aim or purpose in mind. The style of writing often. reflects the author's purpose,
which could be to entertain, to inform, to instruct, or to persuade. As you read the article below,
identify details related to the author's purpose and fill in the information in the Author's Purpose Chart.

 The most rudimentary are the riddles and the proverbs.

 The lengthiest and most sophisticated form of Philippine oral literature is the epic.
HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES

PRECOLONIAL PERIOD

• The origins of Philippine literature can be traced back to pre-colonial times, when the country's various
ethnic groups had their own unique literary traditions. These included oral narratives, chants, songs, and
dances that conveyed the stories and beliefs of their respective cultures (Maggay, 2018).

• Close to religious (Paganistic) and political organizations of the ancient Filipinos.

• The vagrant Negritoes contributed songs and superstitious beliefs. They did not have a system of
government unlike the Indons who brought literary genres or forms like folktales, epics, paganistic faith,
and legends. The Malays contributed the baybayin, the syllabary with seventeen symbols. They also
brought legends, folktales, the "balangay" system of government, and the brief statements of practical
wisdom called proverbs which are based on long experience about life.

LITERARY WORKS DURING PRECOLONIAL PERIOD:

• Legends - explain the origin of things. "Why the Pineapple Has Eyes" "The Legend of Maria Makiling"

• Epics - these are "narratives of sustained length based on oral tradition revolving around supernatural
events or heroic deeds". e.g Biag ni Lam-ang

• Fables - used animal characters

• Fantastic stories deal with underworld characters such as "tiyanak", "aswang", "kapre", etc.

SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD

• Literature during this period may be classified as religious prose and poetry, and secular prose and
(Godinez-Ortega). 1563-1863 poetry

• This period also includes literature produced by the Propaganda Movement.

• Printing press was set up in this period.

• Doctrina Cristiana - was the first output of printing pressin 1593.

• The pasyon - which relates the life and death of Christ, was used to replace the old epics.

• Awit at Korido - Florante at Laura; Ibong Adarna

• May Bagyo Ma't May Rilim (1605) - first printed work in Tagalog

• Ang Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na sina Urbana at Feliza- first known published prose.

• Biag ni Lam -ang-first recorded written epic (1889.

• Cenaculo- a play which depicts the life and passion of Christ

• Santacruzan - which portrays Reyna Elena's search for the cross where Christ died
NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

LITERARY FORMS:

1. Propaganda Literature-reformatory in objective.

a. Political Essays - satires, editorials and news articles were written to attack and expose the evils of
Spanish rule.

b. Political Novels

2. Revolutionary Literature

a. Political Essays - helped inflame the spirit of revolution.

• La Solidaridad - became the organ that projected the views of the group where essay found its place.

• Ninay (1885) - Pedro Paterno published the first novel which awakened national consciousness.

• Noli Me Tangere and its sequel, the El Filibusterismo of Rizal.

• Dasalan at Tocsohan is considered as Marcelo H. Del Pilar's most daring work against the friars.

• When Rizal was captured and exiled in Dapitan, the Katipunan was formed with its paper Kalayaan
where Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas and Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa were printed to campaign for
freedom.

AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD

The introduction of free public instruction for all children of school age, and the use of English as
medium of instruction in all levels of education in public schools encouraged literary production during
this (Quindoza-Santiago). period

•The Philippine Free Press (1905) and the College Folio (UP school organ, 1910) had been circulated.

•Thomasites

•Filipinos started to write again

JAPANESE PERIOD

• Considered as the Golden Age of Filipino literature where in writing in English was prohibited and
writers in Filipino and in vernacular languages flourished.

• War Years (1942-1944)

1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and instead wrote in simple language and free
verse.
2. Fiction prevailed over poetry; 25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino (1943) - compilation of
the short story contest by the military government.

B. Period of Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)

1. Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and essay.

2. Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized themselves with diverse techniques.

3. Literary "giants" appeared.

C. Haiku (5-7-5)

Example:

A fat bee stings me It hurts very badly but I do not cry though

CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

 Martial Law

 Commission on Higher Education mandated the teaching of Philippine Literature in all tertiary
schools in the country emphasizing the teaching of the vernacular literature or literatures of the
regions (Godinez-Ortega).

TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

1. Pre-colonization (-BC-1564)

2. Spanish Colonization (1565-1898)

Nationalistic/Propaganda (1864-1896)

Period of Enlightenment (1872-1898) Period of Active Revolution (1896-1898)

3. American Colonization (1898-1941)

4. Japanese Colonization (1941-1945)

5. The Rebirth of Freedom (1946-1970)

6. Period of Activism (1970-1972)

7. Period of the New Society (1972-1981)

8. Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985)

9. Contemporary Period (1986 to present)

ANALYSIS: STRENGTHS OF PHILIPPINE LIT

• Rich cultural heritage: Philippines literature is heavily influenced by its indigenous cultures,
Spanish colonialism, and American occupation: This has led to a diverse range of literary styles, themes,
and genres, which makes it a unique and fascinating literature to study.

• Passionate and expressive writing: Filipino writers are known for their emotive and expressive writing
style, often using vivid descriptions and metaphorical language to convey deep emotions and
experiences.

• Strong oral tradition: The Philippines has a strong oral tradition, which has led to the development of
powerful and evocative spoken word poetry and storytelling.

• Social relevance: Many Filipino writers tackle relevant social issues such as poverty, inequality, and
corruption, making their work not just entertaining, but also thought-provoking and impactful.

ANALYSIS: WEAKNESSES OF PHILIPPINE LIT

• Limited availability and exposure: Despite its rich literary heritage, Philippine literature is not widely
available or well-known outside of the country. This can limit the reach and impact of Filipino writers
and their work.

• Language barriers: Many works of Philippine literature are written in Filipino or other indigenous
languages, which can make them inaccessible to non-Filipino speakers.

• Lack of government support: The Philippine government does not provide significant financial support
or resources for the promotion and preservation of Philippine literature.

• Limited diversity: While there are many talented Filipino writers, there is still a lack of diversity in the
literary community in terms of gender.

ANALYSIS: THREATS TO PHILIPPINE LIT

• Globalization: As the world becomes more interconnected, there is a risk that Philippine literature
could become homogenized or diluted by external influences.

• Economic challenges: Economic challenges, such as poverty and inequality, can make it difficult for
Filipino writers to gain the resources and support they need to succeed.

• Political instability: Political instability and conflict can disrupt the literary community and limit
opportunities for writers.

•Changing cultural values: As Philippine society evolves and changes, there is a risk that traditional
literary forms and styles may be marginalized or forgotten.
ELEMENTS OF POETRY

PROSE

 Most everyday writing is in prose form. The language of prose is straightforward typically without
much decoration. Ideas are contained in sentences that are arranged into paragraphs.

POETRY

 Poetry is typically reserved for expressing something special in an artistic way. The language of
poetry tends to be more expressive or decorated, with comparisons, rhyme, and rhythm
contributing to a different sound and feel.

DENOTATIONS AND CONNOTATIONS IN POETRY

Denotation Meaning

•Denotation is the dictionary, literal or direct meaning of the word or phrase.

•It is the precise, literal definition of a word that might be found in a dictionary.

Examples:

A. The teacher walked into the classroom.

B. Summer - season or the warmer half of the year

C. Home- is a shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household.

Connotation Meaning

• The secondary, suggested or implied meanings associated with the word beyond its dictionary
definition..

• Is the emotional and imaginative surrounding a word. Association

• It is important to note that words may have positive or negative connotations that depend upon the
social, cultural, and personal experiences of individuals.

Examples:

A. Summer-joy, relaxation, growth Home love, comfort, sense of belonging.

It is important to note that words may have positive or negative connotations that depend upon the
social, cultural, and personal experiences of individuals.

Example:

A. "Youth" = positive connotation

B. "Juvenile" = negative connotation

C. "Adolescent" neutral connotation

TONE AND MOOD IN POETRY

TONE

 Tone is the feeling displayed by the author toward the subject of the poem.

 The poet's attitude toward the poem's speaker, reader, and subject matter, as interpreted by the
reader

 The tone comes through from the poem's structure and vocabulary and helps evoke the mood or
establish the atmosphere of the poem

MOOD

 refers to the atmosphere that is prevalent in the poem. It is the feeling created by the poet for the
reader through the use of various elements of a poem such as its setting, tone, voice and theme.

IMAGERY IN POETRY

IMAGERY

• Language that makes a picture in your mind.

• In poetry, it is a vivid and vibrant form of description that appeals to readers' imagination and senses
(sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell).

Types of Imagery in Poetry

1. Visual imagery

 In this form of poetic imagery, the poet appeals to the reader's sense of sight by describing
something the speaker or narrator of the poem sees.

Example:

"It was dark and dim in the forest"

2. Olfactory imagery

 In this form of poetic imagery, the poet appeals to the reader's sense of smell by describing
something the speaker of the poem inhales.

Example:

"The smell of dried fish, swam through my nostrils" "He whiffed the aroma of the brewed coffee"

3. Auditory imagery

 This form of poetic imagery appeals to the reader's sense of hearing or sound.

4. Gustatory imagery

 In this form of poetic imagery, the poet appeals to the reader's sense of taste by describing
something the speaker or narrator of the poem tastes.
Example:

"The ampalaya-tase of the medicine was forced into my mouth"

5. Tactile imagery

 In this form of poetic imagery, the poet appeals to the reader's sense of touch by describing
something the speaker of the poem feels on their body.

Example:

"The girl ran her hands on a soft satin fabric"

6. Kinesthetic imagery

 In this form of poetic imagery, the poet appeals to the reader's sense of motion.

 It may include the sensation of speeding along in a vehicle, a slow sauntering, or a sudden jolt when
stopping, and it may apply to the movement of the poem's speaker/narrator or objects around
them.

7. Organic imagery

 In this form of poetic imagery, the poet communicates internal sensations such as fatigue, hunger,
and thirst as well as internal emotions such as fear, love, and despair.

Example:

"Going back to the corner where I first saw you Gonna camp in my sleeping bag, I'm not gonna move"

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

 It is a language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words to get a message or point across.

 Figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal way to create an effect. This
intentional deviation from the literal or common usage aims to emphasize, clarify, or embellish
both written and spoken language.

TYPES OF FIGURE OF SPEECH:

FIGURES OF SPEECH BY comparison

1. Metaphor

Perrine (1969: 65) states that metaphor is a comparison between things which essentially unlike.
Simpson (2004: 41) defines metaphor as a process of mapping between two different conceptual
domains that are known as the source domain (the topic or concept that a speaker or writer draws in
order to create the metaphorical construction) and target domain (the topic or concept that a speaker
or writer wants to describe).
Example:

"He had a heart of lion"

"She is a star of our family"

2. Simile

According to Simpson (2004: 43-44), a simile is a figure of speech which makes an explicit relation
between two concepts by using 'is like' formula. As a figure of speech based on comparison, simile is like
metaphor. The difference between them is simile uses comparative words while metaphor does not. In
addition, Kennedy and Gioia (2007: G26) say that simile is indicated by some connective words such as
like, as, than, or a verb such as resembles.

Example:

"I wandered lonely as a cloud." (William Wordsworth, Daffodils) "Life is like writing with a pen. You can
cross out your past but you can't erase it." (E.B. White)

3. Personification

Kövecses (2010: 39) says that in personification, human qualities are given to non-human entities.
Personification helps the reader visualize something non-human in term of human form. According to
Perrine (1969; 67), personification gives human being attributes to an animal, an object, or an idea.
Those animals, un-living things, or ideas can perform actions like human.

Examples:

"His alarm clock yells at him every morning."

"Opportunity knocks only once."

4. Apostrophe

According to Kennedy and Gioia (2007: G2), apostrophe is a direct address to someone or something
such as an inanimate object, a dead or absent person, an abstract thing, or a spirit.

Examples:

"Hello Darkness, my old friend. I've come to talk with you again." (Sound of Silence)

FIGURES OF SPEECH BY association

1. Metonymy

Perrine (1969: 69) defines metonymy as a figure of speech that uses something closely related for the
thing actually meant. In line with Perrine, Kövecses (2010: 175)

Examples:

"Let me give you a hand".

"Married men should stop chasing skirts."

2. Synecdoche

Kövecses (2019) implicitly states that synecdoche is another metonymic variant which uses a part of a
thing for the whole thing. Through synecdoche, what is being talked is simplified by only mentioning
significant detail. Synecdoche may also uses a whole to represent a part. Keraf (2004: 142) argues that
synecdoche is a figurative language that uses parts to represent the whole of something (pars pro toto)
or the whole to refer to some of its parts (totem pro parte).

Examples:

"Those wheels are awesome!"

"The company needs to hire ten new hands."

"Gusto nang hingiin ni Leon ang kamay ni Leah sa kaniyang mga magulang."

3. Antonomasia (Antonomasiya)

is the substitution of an epithet or title for a proper name; a descriptive phrase replacing a person's
name.

Example:

Pacman is one of the greatest boxers in the world. (Pacman is used as a substitute for Manny Pacquiao.)

4. Allusion (Alusyon)

is reference to some historical, biblical, sociopolitical and literary event, place or person that has striking
resemblance to the subject under discussion.

Examples:

Is there an Einstein in your physics class?

FIGURES OF SPEECH BY contrast

1. Paradox

According to Kennedy and Gioia (2007: G21), paradox is a statement that at first seems as self-
contradictory but it reveals some deeper sense on reflection. In general, paradox may be either a
situation or a statement (Perrine, 1969: 109).

Examples:

"There is peace if there is war".

2. Overstatement/Hyperbole

Kennedy and Gioia (2007) implicitly say that overstatement or hyperbole is an exaggeration that is used
to emphasize something. Perrine (1969) also emphasizes that the exaggeration use in overstatement or
hyperbole is the exaggeration in the service of truth.
Examples:

"The death of him suddenly makes the entire world stunned stop"

"She is as skinny as a toothpick."

"We are going to pull off the true crime of the century. We are going to steal the moon!" (Despicable Me)

3. Irony

Irony According to Kennedy and Gioia (2007: G16), an irony is a literary device in which a contrast of
meaning is covered beneath the surface of the language. Irony has three types, i.e. verbal irony,
dramatic irony, and irony of situation.

Examples:

"Ang ganda naman ng gupit mo. Sino'ng barbero, halika patayin natin." (verbal) "Nice place you have
here." (verbal)

TYPES OF IRONY:

A. Irony of situation

Irony of situation is an irony in which the discrepancy exists when something is about to happen to a
character who expects the opposite circumstance (Kennedy and Gioia, 2007

4. Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases. In antithesis, a striking opposition or contrast
of words is made in the same sentence in order to secure emphasis.

Examples:

Many are called, but few are chosen.

Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.

Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.

5. Pun

Puns are a type of figurative language that are often, but not always, humorous. A pun uses words that
have two or more meanings in order to create an alternate interpretation.

Examples:

Are we going home early? It depends on your liver.

FIGURES OF SPEECH BY morphological and semantic operation

1. Oxymoron (Pahidwa) is pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory.

Examples: The contractor was asked to give the exact estimate of the project. Our past relationship had
a lot of bittersweet memories. "Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor." (Gail Carson
Levine)

2. Litotes (Pagtanggi) is using double negatives to express a positive idea or statement.

Examples:

Your comments on politics are not useless.

He is hardly unattractive.

Your effort has not gone unnoticed.

FIGURES OF SPEECH as sound device

1. Alliteration (Aliterasyon) is repetition of same initial consonant sound in two or more neighboring
words.

Examples:

"Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." "Walter wondered where Winnie
was"

2. Assonance (Asonans) is the repetition of similar vowel sounds in words that are close together.

Example

"For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore."

"Fire at the private eve hired to pry in my business." (Eminem)

3. Anaphora (Anapora) is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences,
phrases, or clauses.

Example:

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

4. Onomatopoeia (Paghihimig) is a word that sounds like what it is describing. It creates a sound effect
that mimics the thing described, making the description more expressive and interesting.

Example: "Bees busily buzz as they fly"

Functions of figures of speech:

1. To afford imaginative pleasure

2. To bring an additional imagery.

3. To add emotional intensity

4. To say much in a brief compass.

FIGURES OF SPEECH when analyzed

• One of the greatest charms of language style is its employment of figurative language, its use of apt of
comparisons.

• Mind conditioning and shapes human consciousness.

RHYME AND RYTHM

Misconceptions about poetry

1. Poetry is just for girls

2. Poetry always rhymes

3. Poetry is about weird and stupid things

4. Poetry doesn't make any sense

5. A lot of poetry is about love and death

6. Poetry uses weird language

7. I cannot write poetry.

RHYME- usually the repetition of end sounds.

For example:

bump- jump

wall- ball

talk-walk

girl- curl
END RHYMES- appear at the end of two or more lines in poetry.

Ex:

The gingham dog and calico cat

Side by side on the table sat.

INTERNAL RHYMES- appear within a single line of poetry.

RHYME SCHEME- refers to the pattern of end rhymes in a poem.

Type:

• Alternate Rhyme- Alternating the rhyming pattern throughout.

• Ballade Rhyme-

• Triplet- Set of three lines in a stanza (a tercet) that share the same rhyme

• Villanelle- Comprised of five, three-line stanzas (ABA) and concludes with a quatrain (ABAA)

• Enclosed Rhyme- The first line and fourth line rhyme and enclose a pair of new rhymes in the middle.
Also called an internal rhyme scheme.

• Limerick- A five-line poem that starts with a coupled. rhyme scheme but finished by enclosing lines
three and four with a rhyme matching lines one and two.

• Monorhyme- Mono is Greek for one- One rhyme throughout each line or throughout the entire poem.

• Terza rima- Italian poetry made of tercets that use a chain rhyme, where the first and third line of a
stanza rhyme with the second line of the previous stanza.

RHYTHM- the word "rhythm" comes from the Greek meaning "measured motion." It is the pattern of
stresses in poetic writing.

• Iamb- the most common of all metrical feet. An iamb is a set of two syllables, the first of which is
unstressed or short, and the second of which is stressed or long. If a line consists of iambs, it is "iambic."

• Trochee: another type of metrical foot used in English verse. It is made up of two syllables, the first of
which is stressed or long, and the second of which is unstressed or short.

• Anapest: contains three syllables. The first two are unstressed, and the last is stressed.

• Dactyl:: the opposite of an anapest. It contains three syllables. The first is stressed, and the next two
are unstressed, such as in the word "marvelous.

• Sponde: is a poetic foot that has two syllables, which are consecutively stressed.