THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

H0LY NAME UNIVERSITY

The Contemporary Period

(A Mild Attack of Locusts)
By Doris Lessing
Learning Objectives

a. Identify the writing styles of the

authors in contemporary period
b. Examine the characteristics of
contemporary period in literature
c. Create a short story that reflects
the current trends in life and culture
Overview

From Medieval Latin contemporārius, from

Latin con- (“with, together”) + temporārius
(“of time”), from tempus (“time”).
Overview

Living or occurring at the same period of time of

the present time, modern and current events.

The contemporary period is the generation of

revealing the truth about the events that our
ancient Filipinos experienced during WWI and
WWII.
Overview

What is the meaning of the contemporary

period?

The contemporary period is the evolution

of Literature as any collection of written
work, but it is also used more narrowly for
writings specifically considered to be an art
form to express various life experiences.
The Contemporary Period

Contemporary literature is defined as literature

written after World War II through writings that
reflect on realistic characters and connections to
what happened during World War II.
•Development of the new writings
Poems
Prose
Drama
Fiction
The Contemporary Period

As many as 200,000 Filipino civilians died from

violence.

Brutality Violence
The Contemporary Period

Execution Death
SUMMARY

When we think of contemporary literature it is

defined as literature written after World War II
through the current day. We cannot simply look
at a few themes or settings. Since society
changes over time, so do the content and
messages of this writing.
SUMMARY

The Contemporary Period expresses

several themes that are characteristic of
most of the literary works of the time
period. The themes of identity, racism,
family and a search for goodness in
humanity are the main themes of this time
period.
Overview

What happened in the contemporary period?

•During this period the Philippine literature

in Tagalog was revived.

•Most themes in the writings dealt with

Japanese brutalities, of life under the
Japanese government.
SUMMARY

The contribution of contemporary period in

literature?

During this period, readers have seen the

development of numerous genres, such as
dystopian fiction, contemporary horror, New
Wave fiction, the psychological thriller, romantic
comedy, and more. Additionally, within this time
period, readers can find important novels, short
stories, poems, essays, and more.
Arts and Literature
The best-known author of the contemporary period in
English Literature.
Doris Lessing (22 October 1919 –
17 November 2013) has been one
of the most widely read and
influential British novelists of the
second half of the twentieth
century. Her works have been
translated into many languages
and have inspired critical attention
around the globe. Doris Lessing is
a powerful writer committed to the
lofty goal of changing human
consciousness itself.
The best-known author of the contemporary period in
English Literature.

The narrative voice that weaves

throughout her prolific fiction is
that of an intense thinker who
observes, explores, and describes
the contemporary world but whose
ultimate sense of human life is that
the individual, and indeed the
human race, is meant to go
beyond mere recognition of
perceived reality and to struggle
with visions of the possible.
The best-known author of the contemporary period in
English Literature.

Her novels repeatedly suggest

that changes in the way
humans view themselves,
their world, and their
relationships with others are
imperative if life on this planet
is to survive.
The best-known author of the contemporary period
in English Literature.

Her famous masterpiece is the story of

A Mild Attack of Locusts in the
contemporary period.
Questions & Answers

Share a personal event in which you are about to give

up but then you made it through.
Assessment

Instruction: Answer the following questions:

1. Who are the characters in the story? Describe
them.
2. Where did the story take place? Describe it.
3. What did Margaret do to keep the locusts
away?
4. Why did the farmers throw wet leaves on the
fire?
5. What was the desires of every farmer?
Assignment

In a one whole sheet of paper. Narrate

your various life experiences that you
believe have greatly helped you or
inspired others.