21st Century Literature from the Philippines and Connotation, on the other hand, refers to the

the World Quarter 1 – Module 2 Canonical authors associations that are connected to a certain word
and Works of Philippine National Artists in or
Literature

Many people are intimidated by the mention of the

word “poetry.” It is often perceived as something
that is hidden and beyond understanding. But there
the emotional suggestions related to that word.
are some pieces of information that can help us to
The connotative meanings of a word exist together
grasp poetry whether we are just starting to learn
with the denotative meanings. The connotations for
about analyzing it or trying to find our own poetic
the word snake could include evil or danger.
voice. Poetry has often reflected the voice of the
Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas
time. Meaning, subject matter and language
and qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings
choices may change with whatever is considered an
that are different from their literal sense.
everyday concern in the current society’s
Theme is defined as a main idea or an underlying
expectations. Not many contemporary poems will
meaning of a literary
use the same language as Shakespeare, but that
work, which may be stated directly or indirectly.
does not mean that they are any less valid and
Repetition is a literary device that repeats the
likewise, poetry that lasts through the transition of
same words or phrases a few
time still resonates with the reader in some way.
times to make an idea clearer and more
memorable.
Elements of Poetry
Figurative language is a form of language use in
Imagery is the concrete representation of a sense
which the writers and speakers mean something
impression, feeling, or idea that triggers our
other than the literal meaning of their words. Two
imaginative ere-enactment of a sensory experience.
figures of speech that are particularly important for
Images may be visual (something seen), aural
poetry are simile and metaphor.
(something heard), tactile (something felt),
A simile involves a comparison between unlike
olfactory (something smelled), or gustatory
things using like or as.
(something tasted). Imagery may also refer to a
For instance, “My love is like a red, red rose.”
pattern of related details in a poem.
A metaphor is a comparison between essentially
Alliteration is a repetition of the same consonant
unlike things without a word such as like or as.
sounds in a sequence of words, usually at the
For example, “My love is a red, red rose.”
beginning of a word or stressed syllable:
Synecdoche is a type of metaphor in which part
“descending dew drops;” “luscious lemons.”
of something is used to signify the whole, as when
Alliteration is based on the sounds of letters,
a gossip is called a “wagging tongue.”
rather than the spelling of words; for example,
Metonymy is a type of metaphor in which
“keen” and “car” alliterate, but “car” and “cite” do
something closely associated with a subject is
not.
substituted for it, such as saying the “silver screen”
Assonance is the repetition of similar internal
to mean motion pictures. Personification is a
vowel sounds in a sentence or a line of poetry, as
figurative comparison endowing inanimate things.
in “I rose and told him of my woe.” is the repetition
of similar internal vowel sounds in a sentence or a
The Sea
line of poetry, as in “I rose and told him of my
By Esteria J. Macajelos
woe.”
Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a
God created you vast and wide
word, the "dictionary definition."¨ For example, if
Home of creatures that play with tide.
you look up the word snake in a dictionary, you
Blushing, sparkling, lying with pride,
will discover that one of its denotative meanings is
Sight to hold, mysterious and might.
"any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes
venomous reptiles¡ Khaving a long, tapering,
Sunrise colors your face a sight
cylindrical body and found in most tropical and
Gold, yellow, and orange delight
temperate regions."
People stare with awe and wonder
With such beauty no words compare
ASSIGNMENT NO.1

1. What are the words that rhyme at the end of

each line?
2. Give at least 5 words that appeal to the senses?
3. What is the rhythm or beat established by the
poem? 4. List words that have the same initial
sound.
5. List words which have the same middle vowel
sounds 6. How many syllables does each line have?
7. How many lines are there in each stanza?

About the author

Edith L. Tiempo (April 22, 1919 – August 21, 2011),
poet, fiction writer, teacher and literary critic was a
Filipino writer in the English language.

Tiempo was born in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Her poems are intricate verbal transfigurations of
significant experiences as revealed, in two of her
much anthologized pieces, "Halaman" and "Bonsai."
As fictionist, Tiempo is as morally profound. Her
language has been marked as "descriptive but
unburdened by scrupulous detailing." She is an
influential tradition in
Philippine Literature in English. Together with her
late husband, writer and critic Edilberto K. Tiempo,
they founded (in 1962) and directed the Silliman

National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City,

which has produced some of the Philippines' best
writers. She was conferred the National Artist
Award for Literature in 1999.

ASSIGNMENT NO.2

Questions:
To understand further, more questions are given
below to test your knowledge in the poem
“Bonsai”. Are you ready? Let’s begin.
1. What image does the speaker in the poem begin
to present in the first stanza?
2. What does “Bonsai”, symbolize?
3. What is the message/ theme of the poem?
4. What figurative language is presented in this
line? To a cupped hand’s size” in the third stanza.