REVIEWER IN 21 st

LITERATURE: (2nd Quarter)

I. Philippine Literature During American
Period:
 American Colonization (48 years)
 Spanish-American war started in Cuba (it changed the history of
Philippines)
 Americans led by Admiral George Dewey, attacked the Spanish Navy in Manila
Bay (May 1, 1898)
 Treaty of Paris – US paid $20million to Spain (US faced defeat)
 Their writings clearly depicted their: Love of Country, Longings for
Independence.
 Mediums used in literature during these times:
o The writers in Spanish: want to write on nationalism.
o The writers in Tagalog: attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue
o The writers in English: imitated the themes and methods of the Americans.
 UP College Folio was replaced by the Philippine Collegian. (1920)
o Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez (stand out as a model of perfection in character delineation, local
color, plot and message)
 Active arousal in the field of literature started to be felt in these
newspapers:
o EL NUEVO DIA o EL GRITO DEL o EL RENACIEMENTO
(The New Day) PUEBLO (The Call (The Rebirth)
of the Nation)

 Opening of Public Schools

o EDUCATION – became a very important issue for the United States government, because it allowed to
spread their values particularly the English language, to the Filipino people.
o English was first taught as a subject because of the Spanish system of Education.

 3 Kinds of Tagalog Poets: (Based on Julian Cruz Balmaceda)

o Poets of the o Poets of Life o Poets of the
Heart (Makata (Makata ng Stage (Makata
ng Puso) Buhay) ng Tanghalan)

A. The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-1910)

o (1st teachers) Army men: 1900 – 600 American teachers (Thomasites):
 o Philippine Normal School founded to train Filipino teachers to take charge of
elementary education:
o Thomas (army transport) brought 600 American teachers to the country:
B. The Period of Imitation (1910-1924)
o UP College Folio published the literary compositions of the first Filipino writers in
English:
C. Period of Self-Discovery and Growth (1925-1941)
o Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing.
o Poetry and Short Story flourished during these times.
o Publications – Philippine Free Press provided the first incentives to Filipino writers
in English.
D. The Period of Apprenticeship or Imitation (1910-1935)
o The Filipino writers imitated American and English writers
o Early writers were college students or young graduates whose literary education
has a great impact to American and English authors.
 Romantic American Writers: Poe, Irving, Longfellow, Hawthorne

 Romantic English Writers: Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Byron

 Masters: Shakespeare, Milton, Chaucer
o University of the Philippines (UP) founded in 1908 – It became the center of
literary effort.
o Philippine Herald (1st Filipino Daily in English was founded)
o American Folklore Society Published Filipino Popular Tales, by Dean Fansler
o On, 1925 Marked the inauguration of the period of apprenticeship
 A.V.H. Jartendorp became the editor-publisher of the Philippine Education
Magazine
 Philippine Magazine (the most influential literary magazine of its time)
 Manila Tribune (it began publishing a Sunday supplement featuring original
short stories & poems written in English)
o 1927: Literary Apprentice (became the most prestigious college literary
publication in the country)
 The Bureau of Education published Philippine Prose and Poetry (prescribed
as a high school textbook)
 Short Story: The Philippine Free Press (1st literary contest in the field of short
story)
 Poem: Sursum Surda (1st known Philippine poem in English)
 Essays: Thinking of Ourselves – 1st notable collection of Philippine Essays in
English (1924).
 Novels: (Zoilo M. Galang – Child of Sorrow: The 1st Filipino novel in English)
E. Period of Emergence (1935-1945)
o Jose M. Hernandez, describes this period as a time of self-discovery and rapid
growth.
o The period of emergence saw a shift from romantic idealism to romantic
realism
 o Writings were still highly influenced by Western literary trends such as:
Romanticism and Realism.
o Qualities of Period of Emergence:
 Three groups of writers emerged:
1. Those who were concerned with social consciousness
2. Those whose main concern was craftsmanship
3. Those who were determined to explore local color.
 A group of essayists banded together to form the: Philippine Writer’s League.
 Prominent among the playwrights of this period were: Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
and Severino Montano.
 GUERRERO: succeeded in building a drama tradition in UP and put up the UP
Mobile Theater.

II. Philippine History During Japanese Period:

 President Franklin D. Roosevelt – asked the Congress to declare war on
Japan.
 Pearl Harbor – a U.S. Navy base near Honolulu Hawaii (it was the scene of a
devastating surprise attack by Japanese Forces on December 7, 1941)
 General Douglas MacArthur – commander of U.S. & Filipino forces in the
Philippines; decided to retreat in Bataan Peninsula.
 They introduce Niponggo and their literary arts and forms. The invaders saw to it
that Filipino movements be limited
 Comfort Women – are the women that is kept in sexual slavery for Japanese military
personnel during the occupation.
 Comfort Station – each of Japanese military installations in the Philippines during the
occupation had a location where the women were held.
 Bahay na Pula – one place where these women were imprisoned.
A. Philippine Literature in English (1941-1945)
 Philippine Literature in English came to a halt. Filipino Literature was given a break during
this period.
 There was no freedom of speech and of the press.
 Writings that came out during this period were journalistic in nature.
 Writers felt suppressed but slowly, the spirit of nationalism started to seep in their
consciousness.
o Escapist literature: aims to give readers imaginative entertainment rather than to
address serious issues.
o Victoria Abelardo has described Filipino during this era as being: pessimistic and
bitter.
o Ishiwara: the weekly Liwayway was placed under surveillance until it was managed by
her.
o Voice of Freedom: it is an underground radio program, which is done with outmost
secrecy.
B. Filipino Dramas (It experienced a lull during Japanese Period)
 Big movie houses were just made to show stage shows. Plays were reproductions of English
plays to Tagalog.
  Dramatic Philippines: the organization of Filipino players, which were: Fransisco Soc
Rodrigo, Alberto Concio and Narcisco Pimentel.
 Bodabil/Voudaville: a stage show that became popular during the Japanese period based
on French Vaudaville.
o It features comedy, skits (a short, funny story or performance), impersonator, acrobats
and even magical.
C. Filipino Poetry
 Haiku (5-7-5): a poem of free verse that the Japanese liked.
 Tanaga: it’s like a haiku, it’s short but has measure and rhyme.
 Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form): the usual form and common form of poetry.
 Filipino Short Story: The Japanese Occupation marked the flowering of the Tagalog short
story.
o Most famous short story: Lupang Tinubuan ni Narciso G. Reyes. The field of short
story widened during Japanese Occupations.
o Literary Giants (They are the most famous or known writers): Brigido Batungbakal,
Serafin Guinigindo, Narcisco Ramos, Alicia Lopez Lim, Macario Pineda, Liwayway Arceo,
Ligaya Perez.
D. Japanese Influences in the Philippines:
 Ikebana – art of arranging flowers
 Japanese Cuisine – sushi, sashimi, ramen, takoyaki, ebi furai, green tea, yakisoba,
sukiyaki, sake, onigri, dorayaki, chahanmushi
 Bonsai – art of growing and training miniature tree in pots
 Origami – art of folding papers

III. Philippines During the Contemporary Period

 July 4, 1946 – the United States Government restored full independence in the
Philippines.
A. Rebirth of Freedom (Recovering Era): 1946-1970
 Americans returned in 1945. July 4 1946, the Philippines regained its freedom and the
Filipino flag waved joyously alone.
 State of Literature during the Rebirth of Freedom:
o In this period, the early post-liberation was marked by a kind of “struggle of mind and spirit” posed
by the sudden emancipation from the enemy and the wild desire to see print.
o Themes of most poems dealt with: love of nature, and of social and political problems.
 Novels and Short Stories in English
o In 1958, the PEN Center of the Philippines (Poets, essayists, novelists) was inaugurated.
o Novels and Short Stories – longer and longer pieces were written.
o Steven Javallena’s “Without Seeing the Dawn” tells of the grim experiences of war during the
Japanese Period.
 The New Filipino Literature during this Period:
o Philippines Literature in Tagalog was revived during this period.
o Most themes in the writings dealt with: Japanese brutalities, poverty of life under Japanese
government & the brave guerilla exploits.
B. Period of Activism (1970-1972)
 According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide
causes. (Youth – are the front people in this period)
 Seed of Activism (it resulted in the declaration of Martial Law in 1972)
o Martial Law – was proclaimed: September 21, 1972, officially announced: September 23
  Period of the Bloody Placards [(They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint
equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To Dare!)]
 The Literary Revolution (the literature of the activists reached a point where they stated
boldly what should be done to affect these changes)
o Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions. The youth became completely rebellious during
this period
o They attacked the ills of society and politics. Any establishment became the symbol of the ills that
had to be changed.
 Writing during the Period of Activism:
o During this period, Bomba Films discredit our ways as Filipinos started to come out.
o The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during this period of the mass revolution.
C. Period of The New Society (1972-1980)
 Historical Background:
o The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1971.
o The Palanca Awards (by: Carlos Palanca Sr) continued to give annual awards.
o The New Society tried to stop pornography or those writings giving bad influences on the morals
of the people.
o The Military Government established a new office called the: Ministry of Public Affairs.
o The weekly publications like: Kislap and Liwayway, helped a lot in the development of
Literature.
 Filipino Poetry During the Period of the New Society:
o “ANAK” of Freddie Aguilar became instant success because of the spirit and emotions revealed in
the song.
 The Play under The New Society:
o The Government took part in reviving old plays like: Cenaculo, Zarzuela, Embayoka of the
Muslims
o The Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater and even the old
Metropolitan Theater were rebuilt in order to have a place for these plays.
o 1966, the Tales of Manuvu (a new style of rock of the ballet opera was also added to these
presentations).
 Radio and Television:
o Radio continued to be patronized during this period.
o Popular television plays were: GULONG NG PALAD, FLOR DE LUNA and ANNA LIZA, SUPERMAN
and TARZAN were also popular with the youth.
 An Overview of the Literature during The New Society:
o Bilingual Education was initiated by the Board of National Education as early as 1958 and
continued up to the period of Martial Rule in September 21 1972, resulted in deterioration of
English in the different levels of education.
D. The Third Philippine Republic – Period of the Third Republic
(1981-1985)
 Historical Background:
o First Republic - he claimed was during the Philippine Republic of Emilio Aguinaldo when we first
got our independence from Spaniards on June 12, 1898.
o Second Republic - was when the Americans granted us our independence on July 4, 1946.
o Third Republic - on January 2, 1981, we were freed from Military Rule
o Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr, the idol of the Filipino masses, whom they hoped to be the next
president, was brutally murdered on August 21, 1983.
 Filipino Poetry: Poems during this period were romantic and revolutionary. Writers wrote openly of
their criticism against government.
 Filipino Songs: Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of grief,
poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.
  Philippine Films during the Period: The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held
during this period. The people’s love for sex films also was unabated.
 Poetry in English during the Third Republic: Most especially, during the wake of Benigno
Aquino Jr, people reacted with shock appalled by the suddenness and unexpectedness of events.
People’s cry of protest found an outlet.
 Media of 1983:
o AJA (Justice for Aquino, Justice for All) Movement called for a boycott of government-controlled
newspapers in protest of media suppression.
o Journalists of 3 major dailies demanded a dialogue with their publishers to “ restore credibility and
respect” to newspapers.
o Information Minister Gregorio Cendaña called the tabloids the “mosquito press” and called
their new “political pornography.”
 Children’s Books (Among the well-loved forms of writing which abounded during this period were those of
children’s stories)
 Prose (Fables): (The people’s cry of protest found outlets not only in poetry but also in veiled prose fables
which transparently satirized the occupants of Malacañang.)

E. Periods – The People Power Revolution: (1986-1999)

 Historical Background:
o History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people regained their independence which they
lost 20 years ago.
o In the span of 4 days from February 21-25 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan)
prevailed.
 On Newspapers and other Publications:
o Newspapers felt the shackles that muzzled their voices during the repressive years had been
broken and the desire to write about this “miracle of change” was electric.
o By June 12, 1986, a total of 19 local dailies both in English and Filipino were in circulation.
o Nowhere since the 1950’s had there been such a big number of newspapers in circulation
(excluding tabloids).
 On Books: (Philippine literature is still in the making…we are just beginning a new era)
o The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of its spirit that will carry the Filipinos through
another epoch in Philippine history is still being documented just as they have been in the
countless millions who participated in body and spirit in its realization.

IV. 21st Century Literature: Literary Genres

 What is 21st Century?
 21st century is the current century of the Anno Domini era or Common Era. First century of
the 3rd millennium (thousand years).
 It began on January 1, 2001 and will the end on December 31, 2100.
 Who is the 21st Century Reader?
 They grew up using technology. They are capable of navigating and interpreting digital
formats and media messages.
 What is 21st Century Literature?
 Written by contemporary authors. Deals with current themes/issues and reflects a
technological culture.
 Examples:
 Illustrated Novels – story through text and illustrated images.
 Digi-Fiction – a triple media literature that combines: book, movie/video, and
Internet website.
 Graphic Novels – narratives in comic book formats. It is employed in a broad
manner, encompassing non-fiction works.
 Manga – Japanese word for comics. It is originally published in Japan.
o Types of Manga:
 Ameri-manga – sometimes used to refer to comics created by American artists in
manga style.

 Shonen – Boy’s Manga  Josei – Women’s Manga

 Shojo – Girl’s Manga  Kodomo – Children’s
 Seinen – Men’s Manga Manga

 Doodle Fiction – a literary presentation where the author incorporates doodle

drawings and hand written graphics.
 Text-Talk Novels – blog, e-mail & IM format narratives.
 Chick Lit or Chick Literature – a genre fiction which addresses issues of
womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly.
 Flash Fiction – is a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity.
 Six-Word Flash Fiction – it contains six words.
 Science Fiction – dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and
technology.
o Literature of Ideas – It often explores the potential consequences of scientific and
other innovations.
 Blog – website containing short articles called posts. Written by one person with
their own opinions, interests and experiences.
 Creative Non-Fiction – also known as literary (narrative) non-fiction. Uses literary
styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives.
 Hyper Poetry (Cyber Poetry) – A digital poetry, that uses the computer screen as
medium.
o poetry “generators” - poetry with movement or images
 Mobile Phone Texttula – a literary work originally written on a cellular phone via
text messaging (SMS).
 Speculative Fiction – is a broad literary genre encompassing any fiction with
supernatural, fantastical or futuristic elements.
o Sub-Genres:
 Multiverse (a hypothetical space or realm consisting of a number of universes, of
which our own universe is only one)
 Science Fiction (imagined future scientific or technological advances, usually
portraying space or time travel)
 Alternative History (the facts of a real-world event are deliberately changed to
create a “what if” scenario)
 Fantasy (commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary
plot element, theme or setting)
 Utopia (an imagined place in which everything is perfect)
 Dystopia (a nightmare world)
 Parallel Universe/Alternate Reality (a world conceived of coexisting and
having certain similarities to the world but different)
  Spoken Word Poetry – is a poetry that is written on a page but performed for an
audience.

V. Contextual Approaches
 Contextual Approach – relationship of a person in all aspects of life.
 Context – information, surrounding the information. Without context,
information can be misinterpreted with context.
 Content – it contains with details, the story, perceptions. Context – is the main
detail of the story, it has a deep part.
 How can knowledge of the various context of a literary work enhance
our understanding?
a. Background b. Clues in literary c. Research
Knowledge piece

A. Types of Contextual Approaches:

1. Biographical Context – It talks about the author’s life, interests,
experiences, opinions and etc. (Ex: J.K. Rowling)
Understanding the author’s life can help you understand his or her work thoroughly.
o
Example: Under my Invisible Umbrella (by: Laurel Fantauzzo)
o
 Biographical Strategies:
 Research on what the author believes in.
 Analyze how the author’s belief system is reflected in his/her work.
 Look at the author’s other works.
 You should not assume all works are confessional or even “true to life”.
 A literary text is according to the author’s perspective and is influenced by him/he and it’s not the
only way of studying literature.
2. Socio-Cultural Context – Intersection of the social and cultural events of a
certain time period that inform various phenomena.
o How can we analyze through a socio-cultural context?
 What is the relationship between the characters or the speakers in the text and their society.
 Does the text explicitly address issues of gender, race, or class? How does the text resolve
these issues?
 Who has the power? Who does not? What is the reason for this set up?
 How does this story reflect the nation? What does this say about the country and its
inhabitants?
 Who has the economic or social power? Is there oppression or class struggle? How do the
characters overcome this? Does money or finances play a large role in the narrative?
 What is the prevailing social order? Does the story or poem accept or challenge it?
3. Historical Context – time and place. It deals with the details that surround
an occurrence.
o Reasons to read/watch literature through historical context: In literature, a strong
understanding of the historical context behind a work’s creation can give us a better understanding
of and appreciation for the narrative.
o How can we analyze through a Historical Context? (Based on: Great Gatsby)
  What specific historical events were happening when the work was being composed? (Gapo,
Heneral Luna & Troy)
 What historical events does this work deal with? (Titanic & La Solidaridad)
 In what ways did history influence the writer’s outlook? (The Pianist, Anne Frank & The Boy in
the Striped Pajamas)
o Historical Context Examples:
a) Noli Me Tangere (Written in Spanish and published in 1887, Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere
played a crucial role in the political history of the Philippines)
b) Pride and Prejudice (It saw the dawn of Industrial Revolution, shift from Enlightenment to
Romantic trends, and first whispers of feminist concerns in Western Europe)
c) The Woman Who Had Two Navels (Joaquin examines the effects and influences of the past
towards the post-war events in the Philippines)
1. Nick Joaquin - was the most admired writer in Philippine Literature and is a National Artist
of the Philippines for Literature in 1976.
2. Macho Escobar – was the lover of her mother.
3. Connie Escobar – she is the lead female character and thinks that she has 2 navels, and
requests her doctor to remove 1, which means that she wants to get away from a
traumatic past.
4. Geographical Context – It features of setting in the story, plot device.
(Other term: topography)
o Geography is not only about the earth’s physical features, like hills, rivers, and seas.
There is a close link between geography and literature.
o Example: In Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the narrator describes the
geography of the landscape in detail before ever getting to the house or the characters. By
illustrating the dreary geography, he sets the mood of the story before it even begins.
(Atmosphere)
o How can we analyze through a Geographical Context?

 What are some ways that  Is this author a regionalist

peoples writing can be affected writer?
by geography?  How does dialect influence the
text?

5. Political Context – It concerns the political climate and views held at a

certain time, and how they influence the characters and the world around them.
o Example: Purple Hibiscus (by: Chimananda Ngozi Adichie) – The novel is set in Nigeria
during a time of political trouble and corruption in the late 1960s. The political climate is
described throughout the novel, which gives the reader an idea of how the country is
being run and the values of those in power: the politicians were corrupt, and the
Standard had written many stories about the cabinet ministers who stashed money in
foreign bank accounts, money meant for paying teachers’ salaries and building roads.
o Guide Questions in reading political context:
 What political events are significant to the text?
 What political events were occurring at the time the work was written?
 What political beliefs does the author seem to have?
6. Philosophical/Religious Context:
o Philosophical Context – refers to an author’s underlying assumptions
regarding larger questions about life and its meaning. (Being aware of an
author’s philosophy helps a reader gain meaning from a text)
 o Religious Context – concerns the beliefs and customs of certain religions,
and how religion affects other aspects such as characters and plot.
1. Example: Les Misérables (by: Victor Hugo) – The religious context in this novel
helps the reader to understand the actions of the characters and the influence
religion has over their lives. It also allows the reader to be aware of how his
adulthood has been affected by his religious upbringing and how it will affect his
future actions.
o Guide Question in reading Philosophical/Religious Context:
 Are any religions or philosophies mentioned specifically in the text?
 What religious/ethical/philosophical beliefs does the author seem to favor?
 What behavior do the characters display that the author wants us to think is “right”?
 What behavior is “wrong”? How can one tell?
 Inferno: is a fourteenth-century epic poem by Dante Alighieri in which the poet and
pilgrim Dante embarks on a spiritual journey.
7. Psychological Context – It is who you are and what you bring to the interaction.
“You” here refers to both participants in the interaction.
o Guide Questions in Reading Psychological Context:
 What theories of human behavior does the writer seem to believe?
 What theories of human behavior does the writer seem to reject?
 How do people’s minds work in the text?
 In what ways does the structure & organization of the story indicate the w riter’s beliefs about the
workings of the mind?