21st Century Literature from

the Philippines and the World

21st Century literature from the region where the school is based

This is a teacher-made contextualized instructional material developed for the

subject 21st Century Literature from Philippines and the World. The material is
based on the learning content, ‘21stCentury literature from the region where the
school is based in relation to the literature of other regions in various genres and
forms.’

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 What I need to know?

This module was planned and written for you. It will help you understand
21st Century literature from the Philippines and the World. The language used
takes into account that students have different levels of vocabulary. The lesson
is set up so that you can follow the normal order of the course. This material
includes hand-painted visuals to induce critical thinking, and art appreciation.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

Performance Standard:

• demonstrate understanding and appreciation of 21st Century Philippine

literature from the regions through a written close analysis and critical
interpretation of a literary text in terms of form and theme, with a
description of its context derived from research;

Learning competencies:

• infer literary meaning from literal language based on usage

(EN12Lit-Id-26)
• analyze the figures of speech and other literary techniques and devices in
the text (EN12Lit-Ie-27)

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 #Throwback
In the past session, we discussed about the different Philippine
literary genres. Arrange the letters of the following items and write a
short description about the identified literary genre.

1. P E R P N H I S A S

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________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. L H T I T N M E E N N H E

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

3. E R I E C M A A E E R I M G

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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 What’s New?

Today, you are going to learn on how to make an inference on a literary

text that is an example of allegory. ‘Now You Hear Me’ is a free verse allegory
poem that presents elements which represent idea and concepts beyond its
literal meaning.

An inference is a conclusion that is drawn by applying logic to the

provided facts. Making inferences when reading is an effective approach for
learning, retaining, and applying what you have read. When drawing
conclusions, one "reads between the lines."

To make inferences from what you read, look at two or more details
and see if you can figure out what they mean. Remember that making an
inference is not the same as guessing, even if the answer isn't given in the
text. You need to come to a conclusion that can be backed up.

Let’s try!

The excerpt below is from Joyce Kilmer's poem, Trees. Let's examine how
to build a critical interpretation of this extract by analyzing the figurative
language used.

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

The extract is an example of personification because it compares tree

qualities to human traits. The phrase "a tree that looks at God all day" implies
adoration to our heavenly Father, God, and from a scientific standpoint, trees
and other plants need sunlight for photosynthesis. While the excerpt " lifts her
leafy arms to pray" conveys faith, as well as a gesture of submission and
confidence in God. Parallel to the second phrase is 1 Timothy 2:8, “Therefore I
want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and
dissension.”

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 Before You Read
Now You Hear Me
Reading Focus
Have you ever been awestruck by the beauty of nature, then only to see
improper garbage disposal in the vicinity? Perhaps you were dissatisfied
and resolved to separate your garbage responsibly.

❖ Writing Task- a close analysis and critical interpretation of a literary text

in terms of form and theme, with a description of its context derived from
research;
❖ Setting a purpose- infer literary meaning from literal language based on
usage, and analyze the figures of speech and other literary techniques
and devices in the text.

Building Background
The Time and Place Meet David Dichoso
As an educator, he
"Now You Hear Me" opens with a
is well aware of the
description of old nature in a
importance of youth
remote, community of Quirino
in nation-building.
province. The poem depicts the
He acknowledges
environmental concerns of the
that each student is
twenty-first century.
endowed with a
Did You Know? distinct intellect
and that it is the teachers'
responsibility to uncover and empower
them.
He is an engaged Red Cross Youth
volunteer and an advocate for
environmental conservation. He uses
The Lobed River Mullet or Ludong
this poetry to encourage young people
is regarded as the "President's Fish"
to act as environmental protectors. In
due to its high cost and rarity.
addition, he thinks that through
Reportedly found in northern
"intergenerational responsibility," we
Luzon, namely in the Cagayan River,
the fish spawns in the ocean after still have the opportunity to restore our
migrating from the river. once-healthy ecosystem.

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 Vocabulary Preview

taintless /ˈtān(t)ləs/ a. without any imperfections or defects; perfect

satiate /ˈsāSHēˌāt/ a. satisfied to the full; satiated.
picturesque /ˌpikchəˈresk/ a. visually attractive, especially in a quaint
or pretty style
lucid /ˈlo͞osəd/ a. bright or luminous
unveil /ˌənˈvāl/ v. show or announce publicly for the first time
expel /ikˈspel/ v. force (someone) to leave a place, especially a country
feud /fyo͞od/ n. a state of prolonged mutual hostility, typically between
two families or communities, characterized by violent assaults in
revenge for previous injuries
rear /rir/v. bring up and care for (a child) until they are fully grown,
especially in a particular manner or place
thrive /thrīv/ v. prosper; flourish
wreck /rek/ v. destroy or severely damage

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 Now
You
Hear
Me

Written by:

David B. Dichoso

Illustrated by:

Mark Angelo N. Olonan

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 About a hundred years ago,
Nature was taintless and preserved in the Province of Quirino.
People harmoniously and peacefully relished its beauty,
The Bugkalots’ days were satiated, undeniably.

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 Along the mighty shoulders of Sierra Madre, the dawn broke magnificently.
The land was picturesque- a sight to feast.
The lucid waters of the great land- encompassing Cagayan River,
Have Ludongs that thrived to have territories conquered.

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 Trees grew tall to salute the sky,
With leaves that shimmered, they were never dry.
Flocks of birds soared way up high,
Sang their songs with freedom implied.

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 Came one night, when darkness prevailed.
Chills ran wild, it was terror unveiled.
The Bloods caught a demonic disease,
A devouring practice of abusiveness and greed.

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 Evil came and brought distress.
Rivers clogged with anything useless.
The mountains were painted black with burning brushes.
The fields dug up for a rock that flashes.
The peace then vanished, gone and lost.
Minds all governed with selfish thoughts.
Lives went shorter, feuds went longer,
Til’ a voice came roaring like a battling thunder.
Voice:
“The air you breathed, I gave to you!
The creatures you killed, I gave to you!
The trees you cut, I gave to you!
The forest you burned, I gave to you!
All you enjoy but destroyed, I gave to you”

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 “You humans, everything that you have, I gave them all.
But what have I done, that you betrayed and pushed me to fall?
You’re a user, a corrupt, a murderer,
You’re a disgrace and a destroyer!”
Humans:
“No no no no no no! We have done no wrong!
I used all things you gave to be strong”
Voice:
“I sheltered, fed and clothed you whole,
But you ruined, and wrecked and trashed my beloved abode.
You must be punished, and be expelled,
Be one with the ground like the fruits you wasted.”

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 Humans:
"I am guilty of all your claims.
I put you my Creator in all kinds of shame.
You gifted a mother to nurture my being,
But I was ungrateful of her rearing.”
“With a bolo, I stabbed her,
I wounded her shoulder that carried me and killed her.
I am a murderer,
For I killed my innocent mother.”
“She gave me the gift of life,
And life I took from her.
She cried for help, but I just watched her suffer.”
I can still hear her. Can you?

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 Responding to Literature
Now You Hear Me

Directions. On a clean sheet of paper, write a close analysis of the

poem, ‘Now You Hear Me.’

Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the meaning of the title ‘Now You Hear Me’?
2. Who is the speaker of the poem?
3. How did the speaker describe the nature in the past century?
4. What lines of the poem present the environmental problems that the world
face today?
5. What is the author’s style in writing the poem?
6. What do you think is the purpose of the author in writing this poem?
7. As a student, and a member of your community, how will you protect the
environment?
Write a critical interpretation of the following excerpts:
8. “You must be punished, and be expelled,
Be one with the ground like the fruits you wasted.”
9. “You gifted a mother to nurture my being,
But I was ungrateful of her rearing.”
10. “I can still hear her. Can you?”

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References:
https://steemit.com/food/@darthnava/the-most-expensive-food-fish-of-
the-philippines
https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Lifting-Hands
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12744/trees

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