21st Century Literaturefrom the Philippines and the World 21st CENTURY IN LITERATURE refers to world literature in prose produced during the 21st century. The range of years in 21st century literature was written from (roughly) the year 2001 to the present. • Literature depicts the history, culture and tradition of a country. It is hard to imagine a nation without it. • Philippine Literature • "The history of a nation can be learned in its constitution its laws, and its political statements. But to know the history of a nation's spirit, you must read its literature." (Croghan, 1977) • Philippine Literature in English reveals the spirit of the Filipino. • Gradually, this literature has learned to express the deepest of human experiences in words that create memorable images. Importance of Literature • sharing of human experiences • learn what you are and how you have become what you are • learn learn what you might be in the future. • shows how the Filipino differs from others Development of Philippine Literature Philippine Literature in English 1. The Early Period • 1900-1930 2. The Middle Period • 1930-1960 3. The Modern Period • 1960-1974 4. Contemporary • 1970-Present Pre-colonial Times Folk speeches, folk songs, folk narratives and indigenous rituals and mimetic dances that affirm our ties with our Southeast Asian neighbors. Most seminal of these folk speeches is the riddle which is tigmo in Cebuano, bugtong in Tagalog, paktakon in Ilongo and patototdon in Bicol. Folk Narratives: • epics and folk tales are varied, exotic and magical. They explain how the world was created, how certain animals possess certain characteristics, why some places have waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora or fauna and, in the case of legends, an explanation of the origins of things. Sample Epics: • Darangen: (Maranao- Islam) narrates the heroic feats of the Maguindanao people– highlighting the bravery and prowess of the skilled Moro warriors. • Biag-ni-Lamang: (Ilokano) • Hudhud: (Ifugao) features the characters Aliguyan (Aliguyon), Bugan and their families, and the elements of the early civilization which rose in the mountain province • • • • • • Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilokano) Hudhod & Alim (Ifugao) Kabuniyan & Bendian (Ibaloi, Benguet) Kumintang (Tagalog) Ibalon & Aslon (Bikol) Maragtas, Haraya, Lagda & Hinilawod (Bisaya) • Hari sa Bukid (Negros) • Darangan (Muslim) Numerous newspapers in English were published: • Komedya • Senakulo • Sarswela • Ibong Adarna • Florante at Laura • Noli Me Tangere • El Filibusterismo • 1905: The Philippine Free Press is founded; • 1910: College Folio is published at UP; • 1920: Phil. Herald/Phil. Magazine (most influential literary Magazine.) Spanish Occupation • UP was founded in 1908 Characteristics • language is easy to understand • moralistic • sense of nationalism is evident • romantic grammatically uneven • the Philippine Commonwealth Government was established on July 4, 1935 • writers began to explore the idea of searching for a national identity • the short story flourished • the first Commonwealth Literary Awards were given in 1940 • Philippine Independence was proclaimed on July 4, 1946 • Philippine literature in English greatly improved. Japanese Occupation Characteristics • recurrent subject matter/themes – rural life, love, self-sacrifice and suffering, novelty of city life, value of education, struggle against poverty • recurrent setting – the province, the barrio, the small town • recurrent characters – the barrio lass/lad, the first schooled/educated person in the barrio, the teacher, hardworking farmer/fisherman, ardent lovers, the Filipino expatriate educated in America. World War II/Japanese occupation • stylistic characteristics – simple structure, simple plots, mild climaxes, explicit symbols, slow pace or movement, abundant description of people and places • reflected Filipino customs, traditions, practices, traits • culture clashes – American vs. Filipino • the first Palanca Memorial Awards were given in 1950; for English and the Tagalog one-act play in 1954. • there was a growing sense of nationalism • the Republic Cultural Awards were started in 1960 – 1st winner was N.V.M. Gonzalez • the first Pro Patria awards were presented in 1961 – 1st winners were Jose Garcia Villa, N.V.M. Gonzalez, and Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero • the first Asian Writers’ Conference was held in Baguio in 1962 • themes of confusion and violence were evident in the late 60’s and 70’s • Martial Law was declared in Sept. 21 1972. • continued influence of the West upon Phil. Literature was evident • recurrent subject matter – colonial mentality, guerilla and wartime stories, consequences of the war (poverty, disorientation, identity crisis), love, family, death, social problems Characteristics • recurrent setting – the home, the city, the province, America • recurrent characters – rich/poor people, characters with psychological problems, immigrants in America • • • • • • • Martial Law was lifted in 1981. 1986 EDSA Revolution occurred . gay and lesbian literature came out more social problems are tackled TV and films have become more popular. younger writers have entered the literary scene more literary criticisms have been written Characteristics • very innovative in structure and style • influence of different –isms and literary trends from the West • characters, plot structure and narrative techniques are more complex • The book, 21st century literature from the Philippines and the world provides usin Philippine English, with lexical items in Filipino, and with dislogue that tries to capture the Filipino-ness of the English that is used in the Philippines. • There's hope that in reading today's Phil. literature in English, the reader will find a reflection of oneself and reflection of Philippines Society. This is composed of novel excerpts, short stories, essays, and poems that are organzied in a thematic manner. • There is pleasure in reading and analyzing literature that is slowly being forgotten. • The book is divided into 2 parts; 1. 21st century Philippine Literature 2. 21st century World Literature The text included post- colonial, sociopolitical perspectives about literature and society. Although the text include have been published from 2000 abd beyond, these spans concerns about the new and the old. This book aims to help us udenrstand the complex world we live in through the use of literature.