LESSON 1

WHAT IS LITERATURE?

Prepared by Ms. Menchelle

 What is
LITERATURE?
 LITERATURE
❑ In the traditional sense, anything that is written which is
made up of alphabets or characters is considered
Literature.
Latin word “litera” which means “letters”

According to Wellek and Austin’s “Theory of Literature,” works with

literary merits are those that clearly convey the attitude of the speaker or
writer. Moreover, these texts —to a certain extent—could influence the
reader’s attitude, persuade, and ultimately ones attitude towards an idea.
LITERATURE

❑ Literature are “writings which

interpret the meanings of nature
and life, in words of charm and
power, touched with the
personality of the author, in
artistic forms of permanent
interest.”
LITERATURE

❑ Rene Wellek, a literary critic and

scholar, poses a relative
definition of literature. Wellek,
in his “Theory of Literature,”
posits that literature is a
creative act and an art form.
LITERATURE

❑ Terry Eagleton, in his book

“Literary Theory”, he claims that
literature’s language is more
unique, apart from being
fictional and imaginative.

poetic license
LITERATURE

❑ Thomas de Quincey underscores

the influential ability of
literature.
❑ He classifies literary works into
two kinds: the literature of
knowledge and the literature of
power.
 LITERATURE

❑ Milagros Tanlayco, Professor Emerita from the UST:

“Literature is a record, oral and written, of man’s
thoughts, man’s experiences, man’s values, in language
that is expressed, in language that is beautiful, presented
in a manner that is unforgettable.”
 Literature literature

• important, thus seen as

valuable to society • literatures or those that are not
• determined by various of lasting value
institutions • seek to entertain or divert, its
• possess form and be reader’s attention
expressive, as well as contain • not writing of lasting value that
ideas of permanent and imaginatively expresses ideas.
universal interest
 Defining the Literary
Standards
William J. Long, in his book “English Literature: Its History
and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking
World”
 Literary Standards

Artistry Intellectual Value

stimulates critical
describes literature that is thinking that enriches the
aesthetically appealing mental processes of abstract
and reveals or conveys and reasoning, making man
hidden truth and beauty. realizes the fundamental
truths of life and its nature.
 Literary Standards

Suggestive Value Permanence

rely on the affective

aspect of the literary
the ability of a literary work
work. It relies on
to withstand the test of time
emotions in order to
.
convey meanings and
messages.
 Literary Standards

Style Spiritual Value Universality

refers to the distinct Appeal to all types of

inspire its readers by
way the author readers ranging from all
lifting the readers’ spirit
expresses his or her walks of life.
and nourishing it.
thoughts.
Create a graphic organizer about the
history of Philippine Literature. Write
at least 4-5 significant events under
that period.
 LESSON 2
History of Philippine Literature

Prepared by Ms. Menchelle

Pre-Spanish
Period
(1565)
 Pre-Spanish Period (1565)

❑ Filipino customs and traditions in everyday life can be

traced in their folk stories, old plays, and short stories
mostly shared initially through oral traditions.

❑ Development their own alphabet, which was different

from the one introduced by the Spaniards. This is similar
to the Malayo-Polynesian Alphabet.
 Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

LEGENDS
❑ Legends are a form of prose the common theme of
which is about the origin of a thing, place, location or
name.
FOLKTALES
❑ Folk tales are made up of stories about life,
adventure, love, horror and humor where one can
derive lessons about life.
 Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

EPIC
❑ An epic showcases the epic hero who is the
embodiment of the beliefs, aspirations, and ideals of
a certain group of people.
FOLK SONGS

❑ Oldest form of Philippine literature. These are songs

that mirror the early form of culture.
 Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:

Epigrams, Riddles, Chants

❑ Consist of stanzas (usually couplets) of wit and

wisdom.

Proverbs and Sayings

❑ Laws and rules for good behavior.

Spanish Period

(1565-1898)
 Spanish Period (1565- 1898)

❑ In some records, many literatures during the pre-

colonial period were destroyed by the Spanish
colonizers.
❑ Spanish started to introduce Catholicism to the
Filipinos, which led to a radical change in literary works,
especially the use of language and the literature
produced.
 The following were Spanish Influences on the
development of Philippine Literature:

❑ The first Filipino alphabet was replaced by the Roman

Alphabet.
❑ The first book was printed in the Philippines then
entitled “Doctrina Cristiana en lengua Española y Tagala”
❑ The first university was established in 1611: The
University of Santo Tomas.
❑ The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis
of religious practices.
 The following were Spanish Influences on the
development of Philippine Literature:

❑ The Spanish language became the literary language with

many of its words still in use today.
❑ European Legends and traditions brought here became
assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-moros.
❑ Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog
and other dialects.
❑ Many grammar books were printed in Tagalog (Filipino),
Ilocano, and Visayan.
❑ Periodicals took on a religious tone during this period.
The Period of
Enlightenment
(1872- 1898)
 The Period of Enlightenment

❑ Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora

❑ Propagandists started to emerge.

❑ Our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Jose Protacio Rizal

Mercado Alonzo y Realonda), who used writing as his
weapon of revolt against the Spaniards
 Some of Rizal’s books and writings include:

1. Noli Me Tangere - the book that gave spirit to the

propaganda

1. El Filibusterismo - the sequel of Noli that talks about

politics and the corruption within the Spanish
government
Other Filipino heroes who used their writing skills in
fighting for freedom are:

1. Marcelo H. Del Pilar - popular with his pen name

Plaridel, Pupdoh, Piping Dilat, and Dolores Manapat

2. Graciano Lopez Jaena - he established the first

magazine LA SOLIDARIDAD which later became the
official voice of the Association of Hispano de Filipinas
(Filipino-Spanish Association)
American
Regime
(1898-1941)
 American Regime

❑ Filipino writers explored all forms of literature

like news reporting, poetry, stories, plays,
essays, and novels.
❑ Their writings clearly depicted their love of
country and their longing for independence.
 Characteristics of Literature during this
Period:

❑ There were three groups of writers who contributed to Philippine

Literature — Spanish, Tagalog, and English writers.
❑ English became a medium of instruction as well as a language that
Americans taught to our ancestors through the establishment of
the public school education.
❑ The Tagalog writers continued in their lamentations on the
condition of the country and their attempts to arouse love for one’s
native tongue.
❑ The English writers imitated the themes and methods of the
Americans.
 Authors during this period:

Cecilio Apostol

❑ wrote poems dedicated to Rizal,

Jacinto, Mabini and all other
heroes.
Authors during this period:

Paz Marquez Benitez

❑ is one of the celebrated Filipino
writers of her time. She penned
the critically acclaimed and Filipino
classic “Dead Stars”.
 Authors during this period:

Manuel Arguilla

❑ a short story writer known for

infusing “local color” in his works.
 Authors during this period:

Valeriano Hernandez Pena

❑ known as the “Father of Tagalog

Novel” who penned “Nena and
Neneng,” which is reminiscent of
“Urbana and Feliza”,
Japanese
Period
(1941-1945)
 Japanese Period

❑ Writers in English turned to write in Filipino and other

vernacular languages.
❑ English as a medium of instruction and communication
was censored
❑ The weekly LIWAYWAY was placed under strict
surveillance until it was taken over by a Japanese named
Ishiwara.
❑ Filipino Literature was given a spotlight during this
period.
 Poetry during Japanese period:

Haiku
❑ a poem of free verse that the Japanese liked.
❑ It has 17syllables : 5-7-5

Tanaga
❑ Short like Haiku but has measure and rhyme.
❑ Each line has17 syllables

Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)

❑ a popular poem written in this period where rhyme scheme
and verse are not prescribed.
The Rebirth of
Freedom
(1946-1970)
Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to
return to the Philippines
 Rebirth of Freedom

❑ “struggle of mind and spirit”

❑ Filipinos had learned to express themselves
more confidently by this time
❑ The Palanca Awards was launched in the 1950s
 Rebirth of Freedom

❑ There was a proliferation of newspapers like the FREE

PRESS, MORNING SUN, of Sergio Osmeña Sr., DAILY
MIRROR of Joaquin Roces, EVENING NEWS of Ramon
Lopezes and the BULLETIN of Menzi.

❑ This only proved that there were more readers in

English than in any other vernaculars like Tagalog,
Ilocano or Hiligaynon.
Period of
Activism
1970-1980
 Period of Activism

❑ Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to

reforms.
❑ The Literary Revolution - The youth became strong
and rebellious during this period.
❑ Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions
❑ They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint
the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!)
Period of the
New Society
(1972-1980)
 Period of the New Society

❑ Ministry of Public Affairs- new office that supervised

the newspapers, books and other publications
❑ Green Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition,
environment, drug addiction, and pollution.
❑ All school newspapers, as well as school organizations,
were temporarily stopped.
Period of the
Third Republic
(1981-1985)
 Period of the Third Republic

❑ People’s voices calling for a change in leadership

could no longer be contained.
❑ “TAMA NA! NASOB RA NA! PALITAN NA!”
❑ We can say that Philippine Literature, in spite of
the many restrictions, still surreptitiously
retained its luster.
Post EDSA
Period
(1986-present)
 Post EDSA Period

❑ National Artist Awarding remained

❑ On Newspapers and other publications: Newspapers
that were once branded crony newspapers became
instant opposition papers overnight.
❑ On Books: As a new era begins, the moments of the
glorious, bloodless revolution were commemorated.
Some of these books were “People Power” and “Bayan
ko”
 ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
 MORO-MORO
A type of folk drama performed in
villages throughout the Philippines,
usually during fiestas. Although each
village's moro-moro is a little different
in terms of treatment, all are full of
romance and melodrama, and the
highpoint is always a battle between
Muslims and Christians.
 SENAKULO

The Senakulo (from the Spanish cenaculo)

is a Lenten play that depicts events
from the Old and New Testaments
related to the life, sufferings, and death
of Christ.
 ZARZUELA

Zarzuela, also called sarswela in the

Philippines, is a Spanish lyric-dramatic
genre that alternates between spoken
and sung scenes, the latter
incorporating dances.
BAYBAYIN
DOCTRINA CHRISTIANA
THE UNIVERSITY OF
SANTO TOMAS
Association of Hispano de Filipinas
 Kanji
Ishiwara