Introduction to the Study of Philippine Literature

Literature is a term used to describe written or spoken material. Broadly speaking, "literature" is used to describe anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works, but the term is most commonly used to refer to works of the creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction.

Philippine literature had evolved much before colonization. It is full of legends and tales of colonial legacy. Mexican and Spanish dominance over the land and the people, over varying periods of time, witnessed the incorporation of English, Spanish, Filipino and native languages, to express ideology and opinion. Literature in thePhilippinesdeveloped much later than in most other countries. Evidence reveals the use of a script called Baybayin that flourished in 1521. Baybayin was used to write about legends, in Luzon, during Spaniard domination

History of Philippine Literature

The literature of the Philippines is predominantly a reflection of the influence of the Spaniards on the indigenous culture and traditions. The people of Manila and native groups within the Philippines used to write on bamboo and the arecaceae palm. They used knives for inscribing the ancient Tagalog script. The literature thus preserved was limited to the seventeen basic symbols of the language. With just three vowels and consonantal symbols that had predetermined, inherent sound, the literature handed down was in a 'raw' state and needed to be developed.

The Tagalog language script that was used initially to preserve and hand down literature, was limited to a diacritical mark or 'kudlit' that further modified pronunciation and writing. The dot, line or arrow head was either placed above or below the symbol. The literature thus preserved has played a very important role in the public schooling arena and the rise of the educated class. 'Ilustrados' such as Jos Rizal and Pedro Paterno contributed to important Spanish literary work in the Philippines and subsequently, Philippine Classical Literature. The cultural elite penned a number of historical documents. Literature in the Philippines also includes various national anthems, revolutionary propaganda and nationalist articles. Most of the literature of the land was initially in theSpanish languageand the contributions were profound writings by Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Claro M. Recto, among a host of others. Philippine literature was preserved well through private publications like 'Plaridel' and the first Spanish newspaper 'El Boletn de Ceb' and 'Flora Sentino', by Orlando Agnes.

Literature in the Philippines was developed and preserved by native Filipino intellectuals. Isidro Marfori, Enrique Fernandez Lumba, Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Jess Balmori, Flavio Zaragoza Cano and Francisco Zaragoza played a major role in the preservation of the stories handed down in time. Writers such as Castrillo, Fernandez, Rivera, Licsi and Estrada also spent a major part of their lives in the documentation of 'by-word-of-mouth' hand-downs. Columns and articles in newspapers such as El Renacimiento, La Vanguardia, El Pueblo de Iloilo, La Democracia and El Tiempo and magazines such as 'Independent' and 'Philippine Review' kept the legacies alive in Spanish and English.

Many of the world's best short stories are native to the Philippines. When the Filipino writers began using theEnglish languagefor artistic expression, they took the original works of the Philippines to the west. The folk tales and epics were, in time, put into written word along with poems and chants that were the legacies of the ethnolinguistic groups. Literary work now available includes articles on Spanish conquest, native cultural heritage, pre-colonial literature and traditional narratives. Another very interesting segment of Philippine literature includes inspiring speeches and songs. This segment has effectively maintained the mystifying characteristic of Philippine epics and folk tales. The narratives and descriptions of various magical characters, mythical objects and supernatural are surreal, distinctly adhering to the ideologies and customs of the natives.

Ethno-epics such as Biag ni Lam-ang or the Life of Lam-ang, Agyu or Olahing, Sandayo of Subanon, Aliguyon, the Hudhud and Labaw Donggon are great examples of assimilated styles and language variations. Today, Philippine literature reflects national issues through political prose,essay writingandnovels. Novels by Jose Rizal, El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere patronize the revival of the rich folk traditions.

Introduction to Literature with Philippine LiteratureWhat is Literature?

It is a body of work, written, oral, or visual, containing imaginative language that realistically portrays thought, emotions, and experiences of the human condition. Is a product of particular culture that concretizes mans array of values, emotions, actions and ideas. It is therefore a creation of human experiences that tells about people and their world. Literature is LIFE

Importance of Literature

Studying literature is like looking at the mirror of life where mans experiences, his innermost feelings and thoughts are reflected. Through literature, we learn the culture of people across time and space. We understand not only the past life of a nation but also its present. Moreover, we become familiar not only with the culture of neighbouring countries but also with that of others living very far from us.

Literary Standards

UNIVERSALITY Great literature is timeless and timely. Forever relevant, it appeals to one and all, anytime, anywhere, because it deals with elemental feelings, fundamental truths and universal conditions. Artistry. This is the quality that appeals to our sense of beauty. Intellectual Value a literary works stimulates thought. It enriches our mental life by making us realize fundamental truths about life and human nature. Permanence A great work of literature endures. It can be read again and again as each reading gives fresh delight and new insights and opens a new world of meaning and experience. Its appeal is lasting. Style. This is the peculiar way in which writers sees life, forms his ideas and expresses them. Spiritual Value. Literature elevates the spirit by bringing out moral values which makes better persons. The capacity to inspire is part of the spiritual value of literature. Suggestiveness. This is associated with the emotional power of literature. Great literature moves us deeply and stirs our feeling and imagination, giving and evoking visions above and beyond the plane of ordinary life and experience

Literary Approaches

Formalistic or Literary Approach The study of the selection is more or less based on the so-called literary elements. Moral or Humanistic Approach A. Literature is viewed to discuss man and its nature. B. It presents man as essentially rational; that is, endowed with intellect and free will; or that the piece does not misinterpret the true nature of man.C. The approach is close to the morality of literature, to questions of ethical goodness or badness. Historical Approach Literature is seen both as a reflection and product of the times and circumstances in which it was written. Sociological Approach Literature Viewed as the expression of man within a given social situation which is reduced to discussions on economy which will underscore the conflict between the two classes- the rich and the poor. Cultural Approach Literature is seen as one of the manifestations and vehicles of a nations or races culture and tradition. It includes the entire compels of what goes under culture Psychological Approach Literature is viewed as the expression of personality, of inner drives or neurosis. It includes the psychology of the author, of the characters, and even the psychology of creation. It has resulted in an almost exhausting and exhaustive psychological analysis of characters, of symbols and images, of recurrent themes, and others. Impressionistic Approach Literature is viewed to elucidate reacting response which is considered as something very personal, relative and fruitful. Unconditioned by explanations and often taking the impact of the piece as a whole, it seeks to see how the piece has communicated.

Why do we need to study Philippine Literature?

To trace our rich heritage of ideas and handed down to us from our forefathers For appreciation of our heritage. To understand that we have noble traditions this can serve as the means to assimilate other cultures.

Literature and History Together

Literature and history are closely interrelated. In discovering history of a race, a country, we basically understand their own culture and traditions, hence the written customs and traditions of a country, the dreams and aspirations of its people is called Literature. History can also be written down and this too, is literature. History therefore is an integral part of literature.

Literary Compositions that Influenced the World

The Bible or the Sacred Writings This has become the basis of Christianity originating from Palestine and Greece. Koran- The Muslim Bible originating from Arabia. The Iliad and Odyssey These have been the source of myths and legends of Greece. They were written by Homer. The Mahabharata- The longest epic of the world. It contains the history of religion of India. Canterbury Tales- It depicts the religion and customs of the English in the early days. This originated from England and written by Chaucer. Uncle Toms Cabin- by Harriet Beecher Stowe of the US. This depicted the sad fate of slaves; this became the basis of democracy later on. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. This shows the religion and customs of the El Cid This shows the cultural characteristics of the Spaniards and their national history. The Song of Roland This includes Doce Pares and Ronscesvalles of France. It tells about the Golden age of Christianity in France. The Book of the Dead This includes the cult of Osiris and the mythology and theology of Egypt. One Thousand and One Nights or the Arabian Nights From Arabia and Persia (Iran) It shows the ways of government, of industries and of the society of the Arabs

General Types of Literature Poetry Prose

Genres of Literature Poetry Short Story Novel Drama Essay

INTRODUCTION: "Philippine Literature"

An Introduction...

Philippine Literatureis a diverse and rich group of works that has evolved side-by-side with the countrys history. Literature had started with fables and legends made by the ancient Filipinos long before the arrival of Spanish influence. The main themes of Philippine literature focus on the countrys pre-colonial cultural traditions and the socio-political histories of its colonial and contemporary traditions. It is not a secret that many Filipinos are unfamiliar with much of the country's literary heritage, especially those that were written long before the Spaniards arrived in our country. This is due to the fact that the stories of ancient time were not written, but rather passed on from generation to generation through word of mouth. Only during 1521 did the early Filipinos became acquainted with literature due to the influence of the Spaniards on us. But the literature that the Filipinos became acquainted with are not Philippine-made, rather, they were works of Spanish authors. So successful were the efforts of colonists to blot out the memory of the country's largely oral past that present-day Filipino writers, artists and journalists are trying to correct this inequity by recognizing the country's wealth of ethnic traditions and disseminating them in schools through mass media. The rise of nationalistic pride in the 1960s and 1970s also helped bring about this change of attitude among a new breed of Filipinos concerned about the "Filipino identity." Philippine literature is written inSpanish,English,Tagalog, and/orother nativePhilippine Languages.

Why do we need to study Philippine Literature?

Whatever nationality you are it is always very important to study the literature of yourcountry. In doing so you are not onlylearningabout the historical aspects of your land, but you are also keeping alive the thoughts, beliefs and cultural variations of your ancestors that differentiate yourcountryfrom the rest of the world. A country's literature also tells us about its civilization in a form other than straight fact. Literature is usually one person's description of a situation told through their own personal feelings; eyewitness testimony tohistorical eventsthat we were notpresentat. Writers have a talent for bringing the past back to life with emotive language and metaphor, helping us to imagine scenarios that may have happened decades, or even centuries, ago.

LITERARY GENRES

Genres of literature are important to learn about. The two main categories separating the different genres of literature are fiction and nonfiction. There are several genres of literature that fall under the nonfiction category. Nonfiction sits in direct opposition to fiction. Examples from both the fiction and nonfiction genres of literature are explained in detail below.

Types of Nonfiction:

Narrative Nonfictionis information based on fact that is presented in a format which tells a story. Essaysare a short literary composition that reflects the authors outlook or point. A short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative. ABiographyis a written account of another persons life. AnAutobiographygives the history of a persons life, written or told by that person. Often written in Narrative form of their persons life. Speechis the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express ones thoughts and emotions by speech, sounds, and gesture. Generally delivered in the form of an address or discourse.

Genres of Fiction:

Dramais the genre of literature thats subject for compositions is dramatic art in the way it is represented. This genre is stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action. Poetryis verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response from the reader. The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition, written or spoken. This genre of literature is for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts. Fantasyis the forming of mental images with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality. Humoris the faculty of perceiving what is amusing or comical. Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement which meant to entertain. This genre of literature can actually be seen and contained within all genres. AFableis a story about supernatural or extraordinary people Usually in the form of narration that demonstrates a useful truth. In Fables, animals often speak as humans that are legendary and supernatural tales. Fairy Talesor wonder tales are a kind of folktale or fable. Sometimes the stories are about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children Science Fictionis a story based on impact of potential science, either actual or imagined. Science fiction is one of the genres of literature that is set in the future or on other planets. Short Storyis fiction of such briefness that is not able to support any subplots. Realistic Fictionis a story that can actually happen and is true to real life. Folkloreare songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a person of folk that was handed down by word of mouth. Folklore is a genre of literature that is widely held, but false and based on unsubstantiated beliefs. Historical Fictionis a story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting. Horroris an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by literature that is frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting. Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader. ATall Taleis a humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with an here of nonchalance. Legendis a story that sometimes of a national or folk hero. Legend is based on fact but also includes imaginative material. Mysteryis a genre of fiction that deals with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets. Anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown. Mythologyis a type of legend or traditional narrative. This is often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods. A body of myths, as that of a particular people or that relating to a particular person. Fiction in Verseis full-length novels with plot, subplots, themes, with major and minor characters. Fiction of verse is one of thegenres of literaturein which the narrative is usually presented in blank verse form.

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