INTRODUCTION TO

LITERATURE
(Definition, History, Essence
and Functions, Values
Derived)

PREPARED BY:

APELLADO, MONA LIZA CASSANDRA B.

DAROY, ALLYSA A.

PELAGIO, KRISHA LYRA A.

PURA, ANGEL MAY M.

ROXAS, JESSA MAE G.

SANTOC, AUDREY NATHALIE L.

WHAT IS LITERATURE?

Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the
Latin word litera means ``letter``, litteratura means ``writing``, and litteratus which means ``learning``.
Literature is most commonly referred to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama,
fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song.

Simply put, literature represents the culture and tradition of a language or a people. The concept
is difficult to precisely define, though many have tried; it's clear that the accepted definition of literature is
constantly changing and evolving.

For many, the word literature suggests a higher art form; merely putting words on a page doesn't
necessarily equate to creating literature. A canon is the accepted body of works for a given author. Some
works of literature are considered canonical, that is, culturally representative of a particular genre (poetry,
prose, or drama).

DEFINITION OF LITERATURE

For Jose Arrogante, literature is a book of life in which a person reveals things related to his
inexplicable color of life and life in his world. It makes a person through creative methods.

Zeus Salazar described literature as a force that motivated society. He added that it was a
powerful tool that could free one of the rushing ideas to escape. For him, it is also a unique human
experience unique to mankind.

Patrocinio Villafuerte attributed this to a life but a simple word flowing into the human body. The
literature has its own existence because it has its own throbbing and hot blood flowing into the arteries of
every creature and a whole society.

Brother Azurin, said that ``literature expresses the feelings of people to society, to the
government, to his surrounding and to his fellowmen and to his Divine Creator``.

For Merriam Wester, literature is anything that is printed, as long as it is related to the ideas and
feelings of people, whether it is true or just a product of one`s imagination.

Salazar and Nazal, said that ``true literature is a piece of written work which is undying. It
expresses the feelings and emotions of people in response to his everyday efforts to live, to be happy in
his environment and, after struggles, to reach his Creator``.

TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

 Pre-Colonial Period
 Spanish Colonial Period (Mid 16th – Late 19th century)
 American Colonial Period (Late 19th – Mid 20th century)
 The Contemporary Period

1. Pre-Colonial Period
 Consisted of early Filipino literature passed down orally.
 Literature in this period is based on tradition, reflecting daily life activities such as housework,
farming, fishing, hunting, and taking care of the children as well.

EARLY FORMS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

 Bugtong – Riddles
Example:
Lumuluha walang mata, may buhay walang hininga
 Kandila
 Salawikain – Proverbs
Example:
Kapag May isinuksok, may madudukot
 Pre- Colonial Poetry
Tanaga – Expresses a view or a value of the world.
Ambahan – Songs about childhood, human relationships, hospitality.
Bayok – Thoughts about love.

 Epic Poetry – Romantic heroes and heroines that are a reflection of the world as perceived by the
early Filipinos.
Example:
Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang)

2. Spanish Colonial Period (Mid 16th – Late 19th century)

Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, they have exerted a
strong influence on our literature.

1.The first Filipino Alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet.

2. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many of its
words to our language.

3. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and
moro-moros.

FIRST BOOKS

 Doctrina Cristina (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE) – This was the first book printed in the Philippines in
1593 in xylography.
 Nuestra Señora del Rosario – The second book printed in the Philippines was written by. Fr. Blancas
de San Jose in 1602.
 Ang Barlaan at Josephat – This is a Biblical printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog from
Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
 The Pasion – This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ.
 Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary) – A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr.
Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote this in 1865.

RECREATIONAL PLAYS

 The Cenaculo – This is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus
Christ.
 Panunuluyan – This is presented be before 12:00 on Christmas Eve.
 The Salubong (or Panubong) – The Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the
Christ and his Mother.

THE MORO MORO

 This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remid them of their Christian
religion.

THE AWIT AND CORRIDO

 The AWIT is set in dodecasyllabic quatrains while the CORRIDO is in octosyllabic quatrains. These are
colorful tales of chivalry from European sources made for singing and chanting.

NOTABLE WORKS DURING THE SPANISH ERA

 Florante at Laura – Written by Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar. An example of an Awit.

 Ibong Adarna – Also Written by Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar. An example of Corrido.

3. The American Period (1898-1941)

 It was 333 years after the Spanish colonization that the Philippines was able to raise its own flag on
June 12, 1989. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as the first president of the country - but it was
short lived because in 1901, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered the position to the American
colonizers.
 It was then that the Filipinos went into all forms of literature.Their writings showed their love for the
country and their longing for independence.

Their resentment expressed in literature was first felt in the following newspapers:

1. EL NUEVA DIA (THE NEW DAY)

 Established by Sergio Osmeña in 1900.

 The American censors banned this twice and threatened Osmeña with banishment because of his
nationalistic writings.

2. EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call of the Nation)

 Established by Pascual Poblete in 1900

The period of imitation

 This was the period when writers started imitating the American and British’s way of writing that
resulted in rigid and unnatural styles that lacked vitality and spontaneity.

Philippine Literature in English is divided into three time frames:

a.The Period of Re – orientation: 1898 – 1910

English as a literary vehicle came with the American occupation on August 13, 1898 and by 1900, English
became the medium of instruction in public schools.

Writers of this period were still adjusting to the newfound freedom different from the Spanish regime
where thoughts and speech were suppressed. They were also adjusting in the use of the new language
and to the standards of the English literary style. Thus it is not surprising that there was not much
production of literature during this period.

a. Lope K. Santos

 A novelist, poet, author and grammarian

 The Father of National Language Grammar

 Banaag at Sikat is his masterpiece.

b. The Period of Imitation: 1910 – 1925

c. The period of Self – Discovery: 1925 – 1941

By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing. They now confidently and
competently wrote on a lot of subjects although the old – time favorites of love and youth persisted.

The Philippine Literature in English saw its dawn with the introduction of free public instruction and the
use of English as a lingua franca in all levels of education in public schools.

4. The Contemporary Period (1946-1970)

 It is also called as “The Rebirth of Freedom”

 In 1945, the Americans returned to the country but left on July 4, 1946.
The flowering of the Philippine literature in various languages continues especially with the appearance of
new publications after the Martial Law years and resurgence of committed literatures in the 1960s and the
1970s.

Filipino writers continue to write poetries, short stories, novellas, novels, essays whether these are socially
committed, gender/ethnic related or are personal in intention or not.

a. Macario Pineda

Ginto sa Makiling is the first work of note that appeared after the second world war. In plot, it
hews close to the mode of romantic fantasy traceable to the awits, koridos and komedyos of the Balagtas
tradition. But it is a symbolic narrative of social, moral and political import. In this, it resembles not only
Balagtas but also Rizal, but in style and plot it is closer to Balagtas in not allowing the realistic mode to
restrict the element of fantasy.

b. Lazaro Francisco

The eminent Tagalog novelist of pre-war years, was to continue to produce significant work.

 Bayaning Nagpatiwakal (1932)

 Ilaw sa Hilaga (1948)

 Sugat sa Alaala (1950)

 Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig (1956)

 Daluyong (1962)

THE ESSENCE AND FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE

Literature reflects human nature and a way we can learn and relate to others. By reading through
a first- person perspective, we can fully immerse ourselves into a different mindset and figure out how
others think and feel. This is important within today's society as we're becoming increasingly detached
from human interaction through iPhones, FaceTime, and social media. Literature is something that will
never change in the way it makes you feel, regardless of whether that's on paper or as an eBook.

1. SPARKS EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING

Reading a book is one of the best ways to fully immerse your mind into another person's dialogue
and experiences. Being able to empathize and understand other people's feelings is a key aspect of
helping you connect to different regions, races, societies, and periods of time. They help a person take a
closer look at the different facets of living aside from what they know and live which can change
perspectives.

2. LEARN ABOUT PAST LIVES

History plays a fundamental role in shaping literature, every novel, play, or poem you read has
been influenced by political context, or a time period, or a relationship from the time it was written.

Not forgetting the pure history of literature itself with the first novel being penned in 2000 B.C.-
The Epic of Gilgamesh. Being able to read first-hand something from so long ago is a major aspect of
learning the lives of historical figures and times.

3. ESCAPISM AND POSSIBILITIES

Reading can take us into different realms and see other people's creative thought processes.
Whether it's flying into Neverland, wandering through Middle Earth, battling at Hogwarts, or rafting
through the Mississippi River with Huck and Jim - books can take you anywhere and any place. This is an
amazing tool that few entertainment mediums can truly give you and one of the reasons why literature is
so beautiful. Whether you're having a bad day, stressed out with work, dealing with new life decisions -
books can help you escape into another world and live somewhere else for a short amount of time

VALUES DERIVED
1. Entertainment Value
Literature has entertainment value if reading it gives occasion to enjoy yourself. This type of value
is inherently subjective because not everyone will enjoy the same kinds of stories, styles, or themes.
else might not be.

2. Political Value
Literature has political value if reading it gives occasion to change how a person thinks or acts.
Politics is about the management and flow of power. And power, like electricity, flows from one end of a
circuit to another to make things happen.

3. Artistic Value
Literature has artistic value if reading it gives occasion to contemplate the nature of beauty and
human creativity. There are many works of literature that experiment with the limits of language and its
expressive power.

4. Cultural Value
Literature has cultural value if reading it gives occasion to think about the place and time of the
author at the time the work was written.

5. Historical Value

Literature has historical value if reading it gives occasion to think about the past, how things
changes overtime, and how the world has evolved into what it is today. Historical value sometimes
overlaps with cultural value; if a work is really old, then it can give us insight into a culture so far back that
we can also think about how that culture might be a foundation for our own. Works of literature can help
us learn about the past, process the past, and use the past to our advantage. Sometimes the historical
value of a work is that it shows us what we have gained and what we have lost.

6. Philosophical Value

Literature has philosophical value if reading it gives occasion to explore the nature of human
knowledge, how we know and what we can know. It can sometimes create great drama and raise
intriguing questions. If a work invites us to think about perception, making sense of our place in the world,
or self-awareness, then we can say that it has philosophical value.

7. Moral Value

Literature has moral value if reading it gives occasion to learn a lesson. If a story or poem
TEACHES us how to live, or attempts to teach us, then it has a moral dimension. Is the work still valuable if
we do not like the lesson it teaches? Perhaps so. The best readers will see the moral value of a work even
if the morals it endorses are somehow distasteful to them. "To appreciate" means "to measure the value
of something," and we need to try to find value in a work even if we are inclined to reject it simply
because we think it teaches the wrong lesson.

8. Ethical Value

Literature has ethical value if reading it gives occasion to think about ethical questions. If a story
dramatizes conflicts and dilemmas, it is not necessarily teaching us how to live, but it encourages us to
contemplate the codes that the characters live by. If we reflect on a moral code, instead of simply rejecting
it or embracing it, then we are thinking ethically, and literature that promotes such thinking is ethically
valuable.