Philippine Literature

1
Introduction and Short Story Elements

Introduction to Philippine Literature

At the end of the module, students should be able to:
1. State the meaning of literature
2. Discuss the meaning of literature
3. Appreciate the extent of literature in all aspects of human environment
4. Discuss the types of literature
5. Compare and contrast the four literary genres
It gives nostalgic feelings and enjoyment to re-examine the comedies,
tragedies and inspiration of the beautiful Filipino poems, stories, essays and
plays. Going over them is a very wonderful experience. It enables you to
magnify your appreciation of literary selections and see the role they play in
society and even grow and evolve through your literary journey.

What is Literature?
Literature seems too difficult to embrace for people who are indifferent to it.
However, it continues to grow and stay because of its significance and value
to man. Literature is an art of self-expression.
Literally, it means "an acquaintance with letters" as in the first sense given in
the Oxford English Dictionary. In Latin, "littera" means an individual written
character. It represents a language or people; culture or tradition, passion
and dignified thoughts. It introduces us to new world of experience. It
records the experience of man. It imitates and interprets life through
language. Everything that is written is literature.

Importance of Literature
Literature molds man as a total human being, sympathetic, aware and
sensitive. It educates and entertains. When we read literature, we are
informed of events that beset our environment and the fictitious characters
and colorful events amuse us.
Literature leads us to understand the life of man. It is important to us
because it speaks to us and it affects us. Even when literature is seemingly
ugly, it is still beautiful. It enlivens human interest, enriches and colors our
imagination. It is an expression of thought, feeling, emotions and attitudes
towards life. It shapes our minds that make us changed individuals.

Literature shapes man not only as nurses, engineers, accountants, teachers,

doctors, computer specialists, information technologists, etc. but as man, his
personality, as well as his views and ideas, count.

Course Module
 Literature entails reading.
In order to appreciate a literary piece, you may follow some guidelines to
follow in reading.
1. You have to read with purpose, not just for the story. For example: If
the story is recreational, it should always be interesting and be able to
provide pleasure, but you should know how to read for more than just
pleasure. You should read with a purpose.
2. You should be able to avoid reading selections and television or video
presentations that tackle details of sin, crime and violence. If you
pursue it, do it with a good purpose.
3. Individual titles should be evaluated with careful regard to the
positive principles set forth in Ellen White’s writings which make the
readers experience peace of mind and a reassurance of soul, which
tends toward sensible, moral, and compassionate living, and that the
titles can satisfy the deepest yearnings of the human heart.
4. You should be able to discriminate between the best and the inferior
literature.
5. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8)

Types of Literature
Literature has two major types: oral and written.
Oral literature includes ballads, myth, jokes, folktales and fables; whereas
written source has drama, novel, poetry and nonfictional literature.

Kinds of Literature according to Structure

Poetry is an artistic piece of philosophical, personal, imaginative or
inspirational nature that is laid out in lines.
Prose is a literary piece that is written without metrical structure.
Literature can also be classified as either fictional or non-fictional.
Fictional literature is simply defined as a product of one's imaginative
mind. It can be a drama, short story, novel, myth, folktale and poetry.
Non-fictional literature is opposite to fiction as it comes out of one's
personal experiences, a true and factual account of varying information. It
comprises the interesting facts with analysis and illustrations. It includes
autobiography, biography, essay, literary criticism, journal, newspaper, diary,
magazine, etc.

Literary Genres (Forms)

This module-workbook sums up four literary genres or forms: poem, short
story, essay and drama.
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Introduction and Short Story Elements

Poem
Poem is a composition written in verses having standard measurements and
written with a higher intensity of artistic beauty. William Wordsworth puts it
as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings in tranquility.” The poet
employs the following in constructing a poem; diction that includes
denotation and connotation of words, imagery, symbolism, figurative
language, rhythm and rhyme. These are explained in the lessons that follow.
Interpreting poems is not easy. Poems are difficult to understand. It is very
important that we need to use literary approaches and historical
backgrounds in reading this literary form.
Poems are classified into three: lyric, narrative and dramatic.
Lyric poem refers to short poems which express the personal thoughts or
emotions of the poet. It can be a song, ode, elegy or sonnet. It is intended to
be sung.
Narrative poem tells a story. It can be a ballad or an epic.
Dramatic poetry is a theatrical dialogue performed on stage. It can be a
tragedy, comedy, melodrama or tragicomedy.

Short Story
Short story is a small commercial fiction, true or imaginary, and smaller than
a novel. It is composed with an easy beginning illustrated in its exposition, a
conflict that holds the problem to be solved in the selection, a concrete theme
that presents the subject matter of the story, some dialogs and actions that
picture the rising action and climax, an ends with a resolution. They are oral
and short-lived. Some examples are gossip, joke, fable, myth, parable, hearsay
and legend. However, short stories are now written for appreciation and
evaluation.

Essay
Essay is a literary composition that presents the author’s point of view about
any particular topic in a detailed way. Essay has simple way of narrating the
main subject; therefore, they are descriptive, lengthy, subject-oriented and
comparative.
Different types of essay: Personal essay, expository essay type, response
essay, process essay, persuasive essay, argumentative essay, critical essay
type, interview essay, reflective essay type, evaluation, observation essay,
comparison type of essay, application essay, compare and contrast essay and
narrative essay type.

References
Alcantara, R. (2000). World literature: An adventure in human experience.
Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co. Inc.

Course Module
Bascara, L.R. (2003). World literature: A tertiary textbook for literature
under the new curriculum. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Castillo, T.T. and Medina B.S. (1974). Philippine literature from ancient to
present. Quezon City: Philippine Graphic Arts Inc.
CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts. Panitikan Series
Chin, B.(2002). Glencoe literature: the reader’s choice. New York:
Glencoe/MacGrawHill.
Ecrivain-Public arts literature writing professionals(2008). Retrieved June
10, 2010 from http://www.ecrivain-public.viz
Guiyab, R.G. (2005). Philippine literature: beyond forgetting. Makati City:
Grandwater Publication.
Kahayon, A. H. (2000). Philippine literature: through the years. Mandaluyong
City: National Bookstore.
Myers-Shaffer, C. (2000). The principles of literature: a guide for readers and
writers. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
Lombardi, E. Literature. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from classiclit.about.com.
Lumbera, B. and Lumbera, C. (1982) Philippine literature: a story and
anthology. Manila: National Bookstore.
Marquez, S.T. (2009). Developmental; Reading 2. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing.
Oak, M. Importance of literature. Retrieved July 30, 2010 from
www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html
Tan, A. B. (2001). Introduction to literature, 4th ed. Mandaluyong City:
Academic Publishing Corporaton
Today in Literature. Retrieved June10,2010 from
http://www.todayinliterature.com
 Philippine Literature
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Introduction and Short Story Elements

Short Story Elements

At the end of the module, students should be able to:
1. Define a short story;
2. Discuss the elements of a short story;
3. Discuss the guidelines for reading a short story; and
4. Draw out values from the stories
Do you enjoy narrating your experiences to a friend or a party of friends? You
probably do. Telling stories is fun and entertaining. It is also a very old
tradition that everyone likes to do. During the early days, storytelling was
done orally. Today, stories may be written in books, newspapers, magazines,
and other such medium.
Have you observed why stories appear very appealing to you and to other
people? It is because stories concern people. You are curious about other
people and also about yourselves. Stories are very attractive to you because
of the suspense they create. A good and entertaining story brings you to life.
You often react when you see the actor tortured by his opponent. You fight
back with him, love with him and be inspired along with him especially when
he experiences good fortune in the story.

What is a Short Story?

A short story is a short piece of fiction containing elements described in the
chart on these pages. It is a prose that has one unit of place, time and action.
It is a “bite size” version of a novel. You can finish reading it in just one
sitting. It is written by someone with serious artistic intentions who hopes to
broaden, deepen, and sharpen your awareness of life. It brings you into the
real world enabling you to understand the difficulties of life and to empathize
with others. The short story has eight elements to help you understand and
enjoy reading it. These elements are plot and structure, character and
characterization, theme, setting, point of view, tone and style, symbol,
allegory and fantasy, humor and irony.

Short Story Elements

Plot and Structure Plot
It is a reflection of motivation and causation. It is the sequence of incidents or
events through which an author constructs a story. The plot is not merely the
action itself, but the way the author arranges the action toward a specific end
(structure).
Structure
It defines the layout of the work. It presents how each event causes or leads
to the next.

Course Module
The plot has the following elements: conflict, exposition, rising action, climax,
falling action and resolution.
Conflict
It is where plot is often created. It is a controlling impulse in a connected
pattern of causes and effects. It is a major element of plot because it arouses
curiosity, causes doubt, creates tension and produces interest. Remember
that if there is no tension there is no interest. Great stories do have a conflict.
Conflict is classified into external and internal:
An external conflict is one between a character and an outside force, such as
another character, nature, society, or fate.
An internal conflict takes place within the mind of a character who is torn
between opposing feelings or between different courses of action. This is also
called dilemma, a conflict within or for one person.
Most plots develop in five stages:
1. Exposition introduces the story’s characters, setting, and conflict.
2. Rising action occurs as complications, twists, or intensifications of
the conflict occur.
3. Climax is the emotional high point of the story. It is the most exciting
part of the story.
4. Falling action is the logical result of the climax.
5. Resolution presents the final outcome of the story. It may be happy,
unhappy or indeterminate.

Character and Characterization

Character is a verbal representation of a human being. Every story needs
characters: people, animals, or any other creatures. The character is either a
protagonist (“the good guy”) or antagonist (“the bad guy”). A character is also
classified as flat, round, stock, static or developing.
Types of Characters
Flat Character usually has one or two predominant traits. The character can
be summed up in just a few lines. Example: A father who is strict from the
beginning to the end of the story.
Round Character is complex, many faceted and has the qualities of real
people. Example: In the story, he is a father, a goon, an executive, etc.
Static Character is a character that remains essentially the same throughout.
Example: The daughter who remains a baby from start to finish.
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Introduction and Short Story Elements

Developing Character is a character that undergoes a significant change

during the story. Example: A daughter, who suffers from the beginning,
strives hard to improve her life and become rich, helps her parents and
becomes happy at the end, or vice-versa.
There are three conditions that regulate change:
1. It must be consistent with the individual’s characterization as dramatized
in the story.
2. It must be sufficiently motivated by the circumstances in which the
character is placed.
3. The story must offer sufficient time for the change to take place and still
be believable.
Characterization is the quality of the character which is disclosed through
actions, descriptions, both personal and environmental, dramatic statements
and thoughts, statements by other characters and statements by the author
speaking as storyteller, or observer.
Example: Character: Sonia, the protagonist
Characterization – tall, with fair complexion, with long hair, happy, humble,
obedient, studious, etc.

Setting
The setting of a story is its overall context- where, when and in what
circumstances the action occurs.
Setting as Place - The physical environment where the story takes place. The
description of the environment often points towards its importance.
Setting as Time - includes time in all of its dimensions. To determine the
importance, ask, “What was going on at that time?”
Setting as Cultural Context (Condition) - Setting also involves the social
circumstances of the time and place. Consider historical events and social
and political issues of the time.
Effects of Setting - Creates atmosphere, gives insight to characters, and
provides connections to other aspects of the story.
Example: In this paragraph from a short narrative:
… For Cindy Mae, who is now a mother of two, the farm from when she
was still a child where she lived with her parents, is what makes the terrible
things that happened during the war – the things she, Leo, Homer, Fae and
the others had to do – all worthwhile. It is where she belongs.
Setting:
Place - home in the farm
Time – during her childhood

Course Module
Cultural Context (Condition) – war

Point of View (POV)

Point of view refers to whoever is telling the story. It is the speaker, narrator,
persona or voice created by the author to tell the story. To determine the
POV, ask “who is telling the story”, and “how much do they know?”
The point of view relies on two factors namely the physical situation of the
narrator as an observer and the speaker’s intellectual and emotional position
• First person = I, we
• Second person = you (uncommon)
• Third person = He, she, they (most common)
• Point of view may be:
– Dramatic/objective = strictly reporting
– Omniscient = all-knowing
– Limited omniscient = some insight
Example: In this paragraph from a short narrative:
… For Cindy Mae, who is now a mother of two, the farm from when she
was still a child where she lived with her parents, is what makes the terrible
things that happened during the war – the things she, Leo, Homer, Fae and
the others had to do – all worthwhile. It is where she belongs.
Point of View: Omniscient

Theme
Theme is the central idea or message of a story, often a perception about life
or human nature.
Stated themes are directly presented in a story.
Implied themes must be inferred by considering all the elements of a story
and asking what message about life is conveyed.
Theme: life experience of a child during a calamity like the war

Tone and Style

Tone is the method by which writers and speakers reveal attitudes or
feelings.
Example:
… For Cindy Mae, who is now a mother of two, the farm from when she was
still a child, where she lived with her parents, is what makes the terrible
things that happened during the war – the things she, Leo, Homer, Fae and
the others had to do – all worthwhile. It is where she belongs.
Tone: nostalgic, misses her childhood days
Style is the manner in which an author uses words, constructs sentences,
incorporates non-literal expressions, and handles rhythm, timing, and tone.
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Introduction and Short Story Elements

When you are asked to discuss style, you are being asked to describe how or
explain why the words, sentences, and imaginative comparisons are effective
in terms of what is being created.
Diction is central to an author’s style. It includes vocabulary or the choice of
words and syntax.
1. Vocabulary - Choice of words
a. Simple words - Everyday word choice. (“She was sick for a long
time.)
b. Complex words - Flexing intellectual muscle (“Garages and cotton
gins had encroached and obliterated even the august names of that
neighborhood.)
c. Concrete words - Things we can touch, see, etc. (Jeans, book,
flowers, car, telephone...)
d. Abstract words - Words that express intangible ideas (freedom,
heritage, marriage, something)
2. Syntax – this refers to the arrangement of words, their ordering,
grouping and placement within phrases, clauses, and sentences.
Back to the example episode, the style used by the author is the use of simple
words in straight sentences.

Symbolism, Allegory and Fantasy

Symbolism and allegory are modes that expand meaning.
Symbol creates a direct, meaningful equation between a specific object,
scene, character, or action and ideas, values, persons or ways of life.
Symbols may be:
Cultural (universal) when they are known by most literate people:
Examples: white dove, color black, etc.
Contextual (authorial) when they are created by the author and are private.
Allegory is a symbol that is complete and self-sufficient. Example is: “Young
Goodman Brown” “Juan dela Cruz” Uncle Sam”
More examples of allegory:
 Fable – It is a story about animals that possess human traits.
 Parable – It is an allegory with moral or religious bent.
 Example: Biblical stories.
 Allusion is the use of other culturally well-known works from the
Bible, Greek and Roman mythology, famous art, etc.
 Fantasy - A nonrealistic story that transcends the bounds of known
reality.

Course Module
 Humor and Irony
Humor and irony, like many other elements, are intended to create an
emotional impact on the reader. We must FEEL the truth of a story not just
understand it.
Irony is when things work out the opposite of what they're supposed to, or
expected to
Example:
… Brother learns that one brother is supposed to love and protect another
brother, especially when that other brother needs protection. The irony is
that he learns this only after he loses his brother...
Humor is difficult to define but because some humor theorists say that
humor is a literary element of surprise, humor can be safely defined as a
literary element of surprise or be surprised without threat or promise. In
humor, you must have an expectation of how the world works. When
something happens contrary to that expectation, you are surprised.
Example:
Why didn't the chicken cross the road? Because there was a KFC on the other
side!

Guidelines in reading a short story

You read a short story for enjoyment and understanding. You appreciate a
short story if you are equipped with the necessary skills and techniques in
reading it. Below is a simple guideline for you to read this kind of prose.
First Reading
Determine what is happening; where, what, who is involved, or the major
characters of the story
- Make a record of your reactions and responses
- Describe characterizations, events, techniques and ideas
Second Reading
Trace developing patterns
- Write expanded notes about characters, situations, actions
- Write paragraph describing your reactions and thoughts
- Write down questions that arise as you read (in the margins)

References
Alcantara, R. (2000). World literature: An adventure in human experience.
Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co. Inc.
Bascara, L.R. (2003). World literature: A tertiary textbook for literature
under the new curriculum. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Castillo, T.T. and Medina B.S.(1974). Philippine literature from ancient to
present. Quezon City: Philippine Graphic Arts Inc.
CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts. Panitikan Series
 Philippine Literature
11
Introduction and Short Story Elements

Chin, B. (2002). Glencoe literature: the reader’s choice. New York:

Glencoe/MacGrawHill.
Ecrivain-Public arts literature writing professionals (2008). Retrieved June
10, 2010 from http://www.ecrivain-public.viz
Guiyab, R.G. (2005). Philippine literature: beyond forgetting. Makati City:
Grandwater Publication.
Kahayon, A. H. (2000). Philippine literature: through the years. Mandaluyong
City: National Bookstore.
Myers-Shaffer, C. (2000). The principles of literature: a guide for readers and
writers. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
Lombardi, E. Literature. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from classiclit.about.com.
Lumbera, B. and Lumbera, C. (1982) Philippine literature: a story and
anthology. Manila: National Bookstore.
Marquez, S.T. (2009). Developmental; Reading 2. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing.
Oak, M. Importance of literature. Retrieved July 30, 2010 from
www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html
Tan, A. B. (2001). Introduction to literature, 4th ed. Mandaluyong City:
Academic Publishing Corporaton
Today in Literature. Retrieved June10,2010 from
http://www.todayinliterature.com

Course Module