What is Literature?

Literature

• Literature comes from the Latin word "littera" meaning "letter," primarily referring to written texts, so it is anything written.
• It's writings that capture the essence of nature and life with charm, power, and the author's character in artistic forms of lasting interest.
• Literature encompasses written, printed, or oral works of the human mind, addressing themes of timeless and universal appeal, expressing creativity and elegance in forms like poetry, fiction, and essays, distinguishing itself from scientific, technical, or journalistic texts.
• It is a collection of preserved writings from a particular language or group.
• Literature includes writings that interpret life and nature with charm and power, showcasing the author's personality in artistic forms of permanent interest.
• It is a record of humanity's most profound thoughts and emotions.
• Literature presents a picture of life with its own truth, incorporating elements sciences omit, and takes the form of concrete, dramatic presentation to allow the reader to experience the "lived" meanings of life.
• Literature, whether fiction, poetry, or drama, is the articulation of meaning through form.
• It is a faithful artistic reproduction of life, arranged into harmonious patterns of expression.
• Literature is the artistic reproduction of human experiences in oral or written form, either in prose or poetry.
• It gains strength from the universality of its thought and appeal, communicating through the printed page like painting through color, light, and shadow.

Types of Literature

• There are two main forms of literature, oral and written

Oral

• Oral literature is preserved and passed down through generations by word of mouth
• Originally unwritten, oral literature was eventually captured in writing.

Written

• Written literature is created using a pen by a literary writer.
• Written literature is more permanent than oral literature because its existence remains fixed.

Reasons Why People Write

• Writing is a means of self-expression
• Writing facilitates the sharing of knowledge and information, enabling learning and communication.
• Helps to preserve ideas and values
• Writing conveys truth, accuracy, and evaluation.

Qualities of Great Literature

• Permanence provides lasting influence, transcending time
• Universality means appealing to anyone, anywhere, is constantly relevant, and deals with fundamental truths.
• Artistry appeals to our aesthetic sense or sense of beauty.
• Intellectual Value stimulates thinking, imparts fundamental truths about life and human nature, and enriches mental ability.
• Spiritual Value motivates, inspires, and brings out moral values, relates to God's plan, and purpose for humanity.
• Style means the writer's distinctive way of seeing life and expressing ideas distinctly
• Suggestiveness evokes emotions, stirs imagination, and deeply moves readers.

Prose

• Derived from the Latin "prosa oratio," meaning "straightforward."
• It is verbal or written language that follows the natural flow of speech.
• Prose is the most common writing form used in both fiction and non-fiction.

Divisions of Prose

• Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction

• Fiction is work writing born from the author's imagination.
• Examples include short stories, novels, plays, legends, and fables.
• Short Story consists of a narrative involving one or more characters, a single plot, and one impression; for example, Paz Marquez Benitez's "Dead Stars."
• The Novel is a long work of fiction with chapters, many characters, and spans a long period of time; for example, Dr. Jose P. Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere."
• A Play is a scripted story executed on stage; for example, Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero's "Call Me Flory".
• The Legend is a narrative about the origin of man, place, event, and happenings; for example, "Alamat ng Pinya".
• The Fable is a narrative featuring animals or inanimate objects that speak and act like people, often ending with a moral lesson; for example, "The Monkey and the Turtle."

Non-Fiction

• Non-fiction is a type of prose writing based on facts, real events, and real people.
• Essays attempt to express the writer's viewpoint on a problem or event.
• An Oration is a formal treatment of a subject, intended to be spoken before an audience.
• Biography is a literary work that gives the life account of a person written by another person.
• Autobiography is a literary work where the author writes his own life account.
• News reports expected and unexpected events in society and government, and incidents in science and business.
• Letters are written messages communicated from one person to another, either formal or informal.
• Diaries and journals serve as an account of personal experiences, with diaries being precise records of personal, private, daily experiences.

Poetry

• Poetry evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response using language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.
• It is a literary work in metrical form; verse.

Three Types of Poetry

• Narrative, dramatic and lyric

Narrative Poetry

• Narrative poetry tells stories and has two forms:
• Epics are lengthy poems that embody the adventures of epic heroes and divine forces, being the oldest remaining form of poetry.
• Ballads are narrative poems meant to be sung, briefer than epics, and usually tell stories about a person using repetitive and simple language.

Dramatic Poetry

• Dramatic poetry reveal stories acted out by one or more characters.

Lyric Poetry

• Lyric poetry articulates the poet's thoughts and feeling.
• It comes from the Greek word "rhein," meaning lyre.
• The Haiku is a Japanese verse of 17 syllables arranged in three lines, following a 5-7-5 pattern.
• The Ode is a serious, elaborate lyric poem full of praises and noble feelings typically about things.
• The Elegy is a poem meditating on life and death, often mourning the death of a famous person or a close friend.
• Sonnet is a 14-line lyric poem with a certain pattern of rhyme and rhythm.
• The Song is a lyric poem intended to be sung.

Figurative Language

• Enriches language, making it more colorful, suggestive, powerful, and exciting.
• It involves using words or phrases to represent something familiar to communicate an idea, feeling, or attitude.

Figures of Speech

• Simile is an explicit comparison between two things of different classes, using words like "as" or "like."
• Metaphor is an indirect comparison between two things of different classes, without using "as" or "like."
• Personification gives human qualities or attributes to non-human or inanimate objects.
• Synecdoche names a part of an object to stand for the whole, or the whole for a part.
• Metonymy replaces an object with a term connected to it.
• Hyperbole exaggerates deliberately for effect.
• Oxymoron puts contradictory words side by side.
• Paradox seems untrue but proves true after examination.
• Allusion is a casual reference to familiar phrases from the bible, History, or Literature.
• Irony involves a contrast between the expected and what happens.
• Onomatopoeia forms words that imitate the sounds they denote.
• Litotes affirms by negating the opposite.
• Apostrophe is a direct address to someone absent, dead, or inanimate.
• Alliteration repeats the initial consonant sound of words in a sentence
• Assonance repeats the middle vowel sound in a sentence
• Consonance, or "slant" rhyme, is where consonants at the end of words coincide

Why We Study Literature: Its Importance

• Literature transmits values, promoting understanding of honesty, friendship, love of country, respect, self-discipline, justice, and honor.
• It preserves ideals, customs, and traditions, linking us to the past.
• Literature mirrors culture, providing vicarious experiences to enrich knowledge and perceptions of life and humanity.
• It serves as an agent of change by promoting ideals and influencing action.
• Literature offers pleasure through stories, sounds, and images.
• It enhances language skills by studying the medium of literature.
• Literature is experience, allowing students to relate to others' experiences and make comparisons.
• It promotes individual and social insights by defining feelings and thoughts and studying social issues.
• Literature expresses emotions and ideas, providing insights into a people's character.
• It serves a social function by educating, amusing, calming, diverting, and propagating beliefs.
• Literature expands the mind by increasing awareness of life's possibilities.
• It helps students make real choices by providing concrete knowledge.
• Literature is a way of knowing, revealing knowledge we already possess.
• It fulfills a double role: helping us understand ourselves and fostering communion with others.

PRE-COLONIAL/ PRE SPANISH-PERIOD (... -1564)

• Baybayin, the native writing system of the Philippines before Spanish colonization
• Here are the characteristics during this period
• Legends reflect old Filipino customs
• Folktales are adventure, love, horror used to improve life's perspectives.
• Epics deal with heroic achievements or events.
• Myths are narratives that describe and portray the basic elements and assumptions of a culture.
• Folk Songs express the hopes and aspirations, the people's lifestyles as well as their loves.
• Epigrams (Salawikain) served as life lessons for the youth.
• Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan consist of measured lines with rhyme and 4 to 12 syllables.
• Chant (Bulong) used in witchcraft or enchantment.
• Maxims are verses with rhyming couplets of 5, 6 or 8 syllables.
• Sayings (Kasabihan) are used in teasing remarks or comments on actions.
• Sawikain (Sayings) do not have hidden meaning.

SPANISH PERIOD (1565 –1898)

• Spanish influences during this period
• Alibata was replaced by the Latin alphabet.
• Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
• The Spanish language became the medium of instruction.
• Europe traditions assimilated in songs, corridos, and moro-moros.
• Ancient literature was collected and translated
• Grammar books were printed in Filipino
• Religious tones appeared in Periodicals

The First Books

• The Christian Doctrine (Doctrina Cristiana) printed in the Philippines in 1593 in Xylography written by Juan de Placencia and Domingo Nieva.
• Nuestra Senora del Rosario was the second book printed in the Philippines in 1602, containing biographies of saints, novenas, questions and answers on religion.
• Libro de los Cuatro Post Primeras de Hombre printed in typography.
• Ang Barlaan at Josephat is the first Biblical story printed in the Philippines.
• The Passion (Pasyon) is about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ, and it is read only during lent
• Urbana at Felisa influenced greatly the behavior of people in society.
• Ang Mga Dalit Kay Maria (Psalms for Mary) Collection of songs praising Virgin Mary was popularized during Maytime festival or Flores de Mayo.

Folk Songs

• During the Spanish period, each region had its national song from the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
• Folk songs show the Filipinos' artistic feelings and love of beauty
• Examples of folk songs are: Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi & Atin Cu Pung Singsing

Recreational Plays

• Tibag means to excavate, to remind the search of Saint Helena for the Holy Cross.
• Lagaylay: a month of May,Pilarenos of Sorsogon occasion for fulfilling a vow or panata during illness or even for a favor received.
• Cenaculo: A dramatic performance to re-enact the passion and death of Jesus Christ happened
• Panunuluyan is a reenactment of Mary and Joseph seeking an inn to deliver Jesus.
• Salubong dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Jesus Christ and His Mother.
• Carillo or Shadow Play: a dramatic entertainment projecting cardboard figures.
• Zarzuela is a musical comedy dealing with man's passions and emotions.
• Sainete is a short musical comedy for lower class
• Moro-Moro is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people
• Karagatan is a poetic contest who dropped her ring into the sea is found.
• Balagtasan is a poetic joust in honor of Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar.
• Dung-aw - a chant in free verse by a bereaved person.

AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1941)

• During the American Period in the Philippines, the literary creation was motivated by two advancements in education and culture: Instruction, and Use of English.
• Examples of founded Universities includes, Philippine Normal College, National University and Silliman University.
• Examples of short stories written during this time include ‘Dead Stars’ written by Paz Marquez Benitez, and ‘Footnote to Youth’ written by Jose Garcia Villa.
• Examples of Newspapers, El Nuevo Dia which was censored twice and banned.
• Examples of Plays During This Period, Tanikalang Ginto written by Juan Abad and Malaya by Tomas Remigio
• Zarsuelas were popularized and new theme no longer Christians and Muslims but between Filipinos and Spaniards

The Period of Reorientation

• (1898-1910) the concept of reorientation was materialized

The Period of Imitation

• (1910-1924) UP College Folio printed the literary masterpieces of the first Filipino authors in English.

Period of Self Discovery and Growth

• (1925-1941) Filipino writers had mastered writing literary pieces in English.

JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

• The development of the Philippine Literature was jeopardized with the prohibition of English, and all other languages except for Tagalog
• According to Victoria Abelardo, literature in this time period was "bitter and pessimistic," causing strict censorship on literary works.
• This period encouraged Tagalog writing, and writers in English turned to Tagalog
• The importance of cultural events remained not in the excellence of output but as the guidepost for the Filipinos

Three Types of Poems that Emerged During the Japanese Period

• Haiku a poem free verse, with only 17 in syllables

Tanaga

• A poem that consist of four line but has seven syllables

POST WAR- CONTEMPORARY PERIOD (1946-1970)

• Also known as the “Recovering Era" After the Americans returned to the Philippines, as well as independent form both American and Japan
• This period was characterized by "struggle of mind and spirit"
• The newspapers published were printed more in English than Tagalog
• Ginto sa Makiling was published as the first work after the Second World War

The Challenges Faced by the Government

• The Guerilla warfare caused problems in the 1950’s
• During this period, journalists had to indulge in more militant attitude

Common Themes of Philippine Literature during the Post War-Contemporary Period:

• Romanticism
• Nationalism
• Independence
• Nature
• Expression of Feelings

Bicolano Literature

• Bicolano dialect is spoken by 5 million people in Bicol
• Bicolano literature has roots in orally transmitted poems and mythical narratives
• Mariano Perfecto, the first Bikolano writer, published Bikola newspaper

Important Note:

• Protest drama and the "Comedia" were expressing resentment of Spanish rule.
• Damiana Ligon Eugenio is the Mother of Philippine Folklore.
• Luis Guevarra Dato was one of the first Filipinos to write and publish works in English.
• Mariano Perfecto is the Father of Bikol Literature.

Ilocano Literature

• The Ilocano region is one of the active tributaries in Philippine literature like Cebuano, Bikol, Hiligaynon, Pangasinense, and Tagalog
• Before colonization, the literature was written and oral.
• The ancient poets expressed themselves in folk and war songs
• Francisco Sionil José: is one of the most widely read Filipino writers in the English language and his stories depict social happenings
• Melvin Banggollay worked with The Woman Who Saw the Haiyan Dead.

Cebuano Literature

• Cebu is dubbed as the queen of the South known for is tradition, with quarter of the country speaking the language.
• They follow indigenous Philippines
• Cebuano Literature may be traced back to several poetic forms Balak, tigmo, and Garay

Important Note:

• The passion is long and poetic
• Cornelio said that workshop can attend as fellows for anyone

Western Visayas Literature

• languages/dialects, Hiligaynon, Aklanon and Cebuano
• Ethnic groups is Aklanonon and Negritos Literary Works:
• The story of the first Durian
• Hilinawod
• Ang Baboy

Eastern Visayas Literature

• language of Samareño and Binisaya Waray-Waray
• ethnic, Waray Majority Literary Works:
• Francisco Pedro Chirino - Said Bisayans had verses about creation
• Frantisco Ignacio Alcina- documented the poetic forms of Waray writing