LITERARY CRITICISM

21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

 LITERARY CRITICISM
• Literary criticism is the practice of studying,
evaluating, and interpreting works of literature.
Similar to literary theory, which provides a
broader philosophical framework for how to
analyze literature, literary criticism offers readers
new ways to understand an author’s work.
Examples of literary theories include new
historicism, queer theory, critical theory, and
post-colonial theory.
What Is the Purpose of Literary Criticism?

• The purpose of literary criticism is to broaden a reader’s

understanding of an author’s work by summarizing,
interpreting, and exploring its value. After giving the text
a close reading, a critic formulates a comprehensive
literary analysis that can inform or challenge another
reader’s understanding of the text. The practice of literary
criticism creates space for readers to better understand the
beauty and complexity of the world through literature.
1. Historical-biographical criticism

• It is a reflection of the author’s life and times or the life and

times of the characters in the work.
• It examines literature through the perspective of the author’s
historical context. This approach assumes that the significance
of a particular piece of literature is inextricably linked to its
historical context. For example, historical-biographical critics
evaluate Shakespeare’s work within the context of English
literature, history, and culture during the late sixteenth and
early seventeenth centuries.
2. Moral-philosophical criticism

• This literary criticism style approaches literature based on its

ethical merits. Moral-philosophical critics evaluate literary
works based on the moral statements and judgments the
characters and author express throughout the literary text.
• Emphasizes that the larger function of literature it to teach
what is right and wrong.
3. Feminist Criticism

• It asks why women have played a subordinate role to men in

the society.
AUTHORS AND THEIR
NOTABLE WORK
21ST CENTURY LITERATURE
Dr. Jose Rizal – Noli Me Tangere

• The theme of the novel is to promote nationalism.

Juan Abad – Tanikalang Ginto

• The theme of the story is Nationalism. The story is about

freedom and love.
Nick Joaquin – The House on Zapote Street

• This story, house in Zapote Street, is a tragic love story of a

couple named Leonardo and Lydia. Their marriage was
bounded by love but it was ruined by an evil man, who is very
jealous and also the psychotic father of Lydia.
Dead Stars – Paz Marquez Benitez

• Forbidden Love
Jose Dela Cruz – Ibong Adarna

• This amazing piece of folklore is about love, sacrifice and

fantasy. The Ibong Adarna literally means "Adarna Bird."
The story centers around catching a mythical bird that
possesses magical powers. The Adarna bird was
incredibly beautiful and could change into many stunning
forms.
 Wilfrido Guerrero – Three Rats

• The story recounts betrayal and unfaithfulness among

these three people. It revolves on the husband's figuring
out his wife and his bestfriend's love affair. The husband
deceived his bestfriend too when he poisoned him and
declared that their friendship is unto the grave.
Manuel Arguilla – How My Brother Leon
Brought Home a Wife

• 'How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife' The theme

of 'How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife' is
that one must preserve, even through certain sacrifices, in
order to reach one's goal. In particular: One may have to
surrender a small part of one's life in order to be happy.
Levi Celerio – Ugoy ng Duyan

• Love and longing between mother and child.

Bienvenido Santos – Scent of Apples

• Story of one man and his family's unique experience as

Filipino immigrants to the United States.
Carlos Bulosan – My Father Goes to Court

• This story tells me that having a simple family, simple

living and simple life os much better. Being contented and
happy in life is the lesson shown in this story. We should
be contented for all the things that God has given us.
LITERARY TRADITIONS
21ST CENTURY LITERATURE
NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

• National consciousness implies that individuals see

themselves as part of a particular group (Anderson, 1983).
This means a communal understanding that a group of
people shares common ethnic, political and cultural
background that reflects national consciousness.
ROLE OF WOMEN TO THE SOCIETY

• Women are the primary caretakers of children and

elders in every country of the world. International
studies demonstrate that when the economy and
political organization of a society change, women
take the lead in helping the family adjust to new
realities and challenges.
RELIGIOUS

• Relating or believing in religion

VALUES

• a person's principles or standards of behavior;

one's judgment of what is important in life.
LET’S REVIEW!
21ST CENTURY LITERATURE
RELIGIOUS

Our Father who art in heaven holy be thy name thy

kingdom come
NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

• Upuan (Kayo namang mga nakaupo, subukan niyo

namang tumayo at baka matanaw, at baka matanaw
ninyo, ang tunay na kalagayan ko)
NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

• March of Death
ROLE OF WOMEN TO SOCIETY

• No longer does the Filipina stand with her head

bowed nor does she spend her time on her knees,
because she is quickened by hope in the future; no
longer will the mother contribute to keeping her
daughter in darkness and bring her up in contempt
and moral annihilation.
RELIGIOUS

• Consider well what kind of religion they are

teaching you. See whether it is the will of
God or according to the teachings of Christ
that the poor be succored and those who
suffer alleviated.
VALUES

• “Father, he told me to follow the Waig tonight,

Manong.” Then my brother Leon laughed and he
said: “And I suppose Father also told you to hitch
Labang to the cart” (OBEDIENCE)
RELIGIOUS

• Lead me Lord, Lead me by the hands and

make me face the rising sun. Comfort me
through all the pains I feel.
NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

• Blessed are the cockroaches

They are friends to dark and filth
They are the citizens who last
RELIGIOUS

• Sadyang walang ibang magandang lunggati

kundi gawing Pasko ang bawat sandali.
Busilak na puso, matamis na ngiti
kung ibabahagi'y Pasko muli't muli.