Introduction to Asean Literature Spiritual Value

- literature elevates the spirit and the soul and this has the power to
Year when different countries became a member of ASEAN:
1984 - Brunei
1995 - Vietnam
1997 - Laos and Myanmar
1999 - Cambodia
1967 - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand
The Meaning, Qualities, and Importance of Literature
Literratura
- Latin word which means "learning, a writing, grammar",
originally "writing formed with letters"
Literature
- A term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material
- The most recent amendment to what constitutes literature is the
inclusion of oral narratives
- A body of written works
- traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry
and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and
the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution
- classified according to a variety of systems:
o language, national origin, historical period, genre, subject
matter
- usually according to studies, our literary authors or literary makers
usually use their real-life experiences as theme of their arts or literary
arts
o it makes the literary work realistic and we know that many can
relate
o you write what you know
o mas magiging detailed ang ating pagk-kwento at mas maipapa-
experience natin sa mga readers natin ang gusto natin i-convey na
message kapag gagaling ito sa totoo nating mga experiences
Terry Eagleton
- “Literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language, deviates
systematically from everyday speech”
- Ginagawang mas malalim para magkaroon ng multiple layers of
meaning
motivate and inspire, drawn from the suggested morals or lessons
of the different literary genres.
- It should present moral values for us to reflect and eventually inspire
us to become a better person
Permanence
- literature endures across time and draws out the time factor.
- could be read again and again as reading gives fresh delights and new
insights.
- It should be long lasting (pagiging timeless ng isang literature.)
Style
- literature represents peculiar way/s on how man sees life as
evidenced by the formation of his ideas, forms, structures, and
expressions which are marked by their memorable substances.
Universality
- literature appeals to everyone, regardless of culture, race, gender, and time
which are all considered significant. It deals with an array of individual
perceptions as well as orientation.
- regardless kung anong gender, race, culture, atpinagmulan, para sa
lahat ang pagbabasa ng literature
Two Main Divisions of Literature
Prose
- from the Latin word ‘prosa’ or phrase ‘prosa oratio’ which
means straightforward speech
- any written work that follows a basic grammatical structure
o think words and phrases arranged into sentences and
paragraphs
- mga fiction (hindi totoo; from our imaginations) and non-fiction
(based sa true stories and information; ex: autobiographies)
- Appeal : mag-convince at mag-inform

Importance of Literature The Elements of Prose

Increases critical thinking 1. Theme - the central or main idea
It fuels imagination 2. Setting
It helps us learn other cultures and beliefs - Setting of Place : where the story happens, the setup, the proper
It improves communication skills descriptive words that the readers can use to imagine what is the
It cultivates empathy most overview power of a story
It helps us expands our horizon - Setting of Time : the time or when did the story happen
It fosters creativity - Social Setting : dictates the social and cultural environment, kung
paano nagkaroon ng development ang mga characters by doing or
Qualities of Literature having this what we call interactions and involvement
Artistic
- sense of beauty 3.Plot - sequence of events kung saan magkikita ng introductory part,
- the tendency to have an artistry or sense of beauty in a literary work exposition, rising action, climax, paano nagkakaroon ng plot twist,
through using specific and enticing or pleasing words or phrases falling of action and resolution

Intellectual Value 4.Characters

- literature stimulates critical thinking that enriches mental processes of
abstract and reasoning, making man realize the fundamental truths 5.Point of View - how will you narrate the story
of life and its nature Poetry
- typically written in verse that uses figurative language (language that
Suggestiveness can have different meanings from what is literally said) to give
- the emotional power of literature to make us feel deeply and stir our multiple shades of meaning to a word or a phrase
imagination. It should trigger and evokes emotion above and beyond - Appeal : aims to stir imagination
the plane of ordinary life experiences
- emotional attachment to the story
ASEAN LITERATURE BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – TNEU LIPA CAMPUS
- kailangan isulat in verse, may figurative language, multiple shades of - conveyed by a narrator: a specific person, or unspecified literary voice,
meaning, at kailangan mag-follow ng certain structure, meters, and developed by the creator of the story to deliver information to the
rhymes audience, particularly about the plot (the series of events)
3.Convention
- the defining characteristics, or must-haves, of a given genre
- Example : a detective novel should conform to conventions of
foreshadowing, mystery, investigative leads, classic hero vs. villain
scenarios, and more
 Narrative Convention
- Techniques used by the author in making meaning in fiction
- may be particular to characters, development of plot, settings,
point-of-view, or style
o Time Setting
- a period in which the story takes place
- could be a time of the day, season or time period of history
o Place Setting
- a place where the story is set

Plot Conventions
Backstory
- tell the events of the story that happen before the present story
- provides a history or background context, especially for a
character or situation in a literary work, film, or dramatic series
- a very detailed depiction of what happened in the past for the
audience to understand
The Elements of Poetry -
1.Verse
- least structure division Chekhov’s gun
- the lines/sentences that made a poem - tells of an inherent object inserted in the narrative
2.Stanza - a dramatic principle that suggests that details within a story or play
- set of verses whose form is repeated throughout a poem, with the will contribute to the overall narrative
same characteristics - Example : Sa maalaala mo kaya. Laging ipinapakita doon sa story or
3.Rhyme doon sa narration ang lampara na very important pala ang
- equality or similarity of the final sounds of the verses ginagampanan na role para mag-contribute doon sa overall na
narrative
SAMPLE OF A POEM - inherent objects or symbolisms and nuances that are used to contribute
to the overall narrative
Media res
- the practice of beginning an epic or other narrative by plunging into a
crucial situation that is part of a related chain of events
- the situation is an extension of previous events and will be developed in
later action
- sa simula pa lamang ng story ay bibigyan mo na agad or ipapakita mo na
agad ang mga crucial situations na actually ay part of a related chain
of events
Narrative hook
- tells a catchy story opening to hook the attention of the readers
- heavy or interesting dialogues
Plot twist
- tells a surprise ending
MAIN TOPIC 1 Poetic justice
THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE - tells a reward to a good character and punishes the bad characters

Different techniques used by the author in making Cliffhanger

meaning - tells an abrupt ending which place the main character in a perilous
situation with no resolution
1.Compare/contrast
- ‘bitin’
- comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in
writing discusses elements that are different Flashback
- we need to compare and contrast to make sure na there would be - tells an interjected scene of the story that takes it back in time from the
improvement doon sa literary art na mayroon or literary works na current point in the story and often used to tell the events that happen
mayroon sa ating literature before another important event
2.Narration - a style of storytelling in which the author interrupts the main storyline to
- the use of a written or spoken commentary to convey a story to an go back into the past
audience
Flash forward
ASEAN LITERATURE BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – TNEU LIPA CAMPUS
- tells a scene that takes a narrative to a future time from the current point
of the story
- the author must create a scene that takes place in the future
Deus-ex-Machina
- tells a good character in a bad situation ensures character wins
within an unexpected or implausible used to resolve the situation
- ang good character daw in the story, ang ginagawang tektik ay kahit
pa nasa bad situations, ay laging nananalo sa huli
Hypodiegesis (story within a story)
- tells a story within a story
- tipong nagbabasa ka ng story, pero yung story yung binabasa mo,
nagkikwento rin sa'yo
Foreshadowing
- indicates or hints something in the later part of the story
- narrations or part ng story na nagbibigay at nag-iindicate ng mga
clues or hints.
Point of View
Point of view (POV)
- refers to who is telling a story, or who is narrating it
Types of POV
1. First Person POV
- the narrator tells the story from his or her own perspective
- use of the pronouns "I" or "We"
- offers the author a great way to give the reader direct access to a
particular character's thoughts, emotions, voice, and way of
seeing the world—their point of view about the main events of
the story
 Thief’s POV
- "I was desperate for something to eat. Judging by her
expensive-looking shoes, I figured she could afford to part
with her purse."
- The narrator is the main character
 Victim’s POV
- "He came out of nowhere! Too bad for him, though: I only
had five dollars in my bag."
- the narrator is a witness to the story but she or he is not the
main character
2. Second Person POV
- uses the pronoun "you" to immerse the reader in the experience
of being the protagonist
- places the reader "on the playing field" by putting them in the
position of the protagonist—the one to whom the action occurs
3.Third Person POV
- the narrator is someone (or some entity) who is not a character in the
story being told
- uses the pronouns "he, " "she, " and "they, " to refer to all the
characters
- the most common point of view in writing, as it gives the writer a
considerable amount of freedom to focus on different people, events,
and places without being limited within the consciousness of a single
character
- "What are you doing?" Yossarian asked guardedly when he entered
the tent, although he saw at once. "There's a leak here, " Orr said.
"I'm trying to fix it." "Please stop it, " said Yossarian. "You're
making me nervous."
Other Literary Conventions
Convention Style
- Language used (use of figurative language)
- Sensory Detail (mental images of scenes using descriptive words)
ASEAN LITERATURE
- Dramatic Visualization (description of gestures and dialogues making
scenes vivid to the readers)
Theme
- The underlying message of the central idea which are reflected n
characters, words and actions, events, and other elements
- about the life and human experience that the author is conveying in the
story which is universal in nature
- The reader can ask himself the following to get the theme:
 What is the author trying to convey in the characters and events of
the fiction?
 What’s the big idea-love, hate, war, passion, peace, friendship,
crime?
 What does the story tell about human life?
Emotional Appeal
- moves the emotion of the reader and the audience
- a way or method used by the author to create emotional response
among is readers or audience
- Persuasive writing is used. The language should sway the emotion to
convince the readers.
- Metaphor or simile is often used to create comparison to feel the
connection in the story
Literary Approaches
Feminism
- supports the feminist goals of defining, establishing, and defending
equal political, economic, and social rights for women
- often associated with literary pieces written by women that deal with
women in the society
- gives an impact to the voice of women
New Historicism
- a form of literary theory which aims to understand intellectual history
through literature and literature through its cultural context
- deals with the cultural context during the writing of the piece of
literature
Formalism vs. New Criticism
- critical approaches that analyze, interpret, or evaluate the inherent
features of a text
- reduces the importance of a text's historical, biographical, and cultural
context
Tata Selo
Rogelio Sikat
Tata Selo
- a poignant short story that revolves around an elderly man named Tata
Selo, who grapples with the harsh realities of life in a rural Filipino
community
o set against the backdrop of cultural traditions and societal
expectations, Tata Selo faces challenges that test his resilience
and beliefs
- Theme/s : Family dynamics,. Social norms, impact of change on
traditional values
- captures the complexities of human emotions and the enduring spirit of
a simple man in the face of adversity
Rogelio Sikat
- Born on June 26, 1940 in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.
- 6th child of Estanislao Sicat and Crisanta Rodriguez
- 1950 – he worked in the University of Sto. Tomas.
- A Campus Writer and Literary Editor of The Varsitarian
- Ang mga gawa ni Sicat, na nagpabangon sa nakagawiang literatura
natin at nagpamulat sa kalagayan ng ating lipunan, ay unang nakita
sa magasin ng Liwayway
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – TNEU LIPA CAMPUS
- 1962 and 1965 – nakakuha siya ng awards sa Parangal sa Palanca
Awards
- Mga Ago sa Disyerto – lumabas bilang antolohiya
Summary:
The short story “Tata Selo” by Rogelio Sicat is about a
farmer named after the title of story. Tata Selo is a widower, he lost his
wife due to sickness and left the daughter named Saling to be alone with
his father. Tata Selo wanted to reclaim his land because he sold it for the
sake of his wife who was sick at that time. But he did not have any money
therefore he has to work to reclaim the land that he once had. The
conflict of the story started when Kabesang Tano forces Tata Selo to
leave his land because he already has other farmers to work on his land.
While begging to not to be dismissed, Kabesang Tano keeps hitting Tata
Selo on the forehead. Defending himself, he struck Kabesang Tano and
accidentally killed him. From that point, a lot of oppression and
inequality can be perceived against the protagonist of the story
Emotional Appeal
 How do you feel about Tata Selo?
The emotional appeal of "Tata Selo" lies in its portrayal of human
resilience and the poignant exploration of traditional values.
The character of Tata Selo, an elderly man facing challenges in a
changing society, evokes empathy as readers witness his struggles with
societal expectations and family dynamics.
The story's emotional depth stems from the universal themes it addresses
– the clash between tradition and modernity, the complexities of familial
relationships, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of
adversity.
Readers may connect with Tata Selo on a personal level, making the
emotional impact of the story resonate deeply
Theme
1.Family Love
2.Discrimination and Inequality
3.Social Status and Wealth
Literary Approach
The literary approach of "Tata Selo" by Rogelio Sikat involves a
combination of social realism and character-driven narrative.
Sikat employs social realism by portraying the rural Filipino community
with authenticity, addressing the challenges and changes it undergoes.
The story also focuses on character development, particularly Tata Selo,
as a means to explore the impact of societal shifts on an individual.
This character-driven approach allows readers to empathize with Tata
Selo's struggles and provides a lens through which broader social themes
are examined.
Overall, the literary approach combines a realistic portrayal of society
with a deep exploration of characters and their personal journey
Feminism
1. What do you think is the illness of Saling?
2. How is Saling depicted in the fiction?
3. What do you think did the mayor do to her? Why didn't she want to
go home?
4. If you were the author how will you make Saling react to the situation?
5. What does the author want to tell the role of the mayor towards
Saling?
New Historicism
ASEAN LITERATURE
1. What in the fiction can you base your assumption of the year it was
written?
2. Compare the culture of the people on this kind of situation during the
time of its writing and the present time.
Formalism
1. What picture of scenes or places or things become vivid in your mind
as they are described in the fiction?
2. Do they have meanings or are they symbols of what?
3. How do the incidents help you create conclusions about the characters
and events?
Morning in Nagrebcan
Manuel E. Arguilla
Manuel Estabilla Arguilla
- Born in Nagrebcan on June 17, 1911 – Beheaded, Manila Chinese
Cemetery (August 30, 1944)
- An Ilocano writer in English, patriot, and martyr
- Known for How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife (won the 1st
prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940)
- Most of his stories depict scenes in Barrio Nagrebcan, Bauang, La
Union..
o His bond with his birthplace (forged by his dealings with the
peasant folk of Ilocos) remained strong even after he moved to
Manila where he studied at the University of the Philippines.
 He finished BS Education in 1933
 He became a member and the president of the U.P Writer’s Club
and editor of the university’s Literary Apprentice
Themes and Symbols
1.What realities of life do you see in the following:
Physical fight of the brothers
The mother like Nana Elang
The reconciliation of the brothers
Tang Ciako’s rudeness
2.What do the following symbolize? Give their meanings.
The sun at the beginning and end of the story
The black-spotted puppy
The eating of banana with its skin
The single bamboo pole that served as the railing
Visual Appeal
1. Read from the text the parts that give you an image of their poor house
and surrounding.
2. What is your interpretation of the image?
Emotional Appeal
1.Read the parts that stir your emotion
2.Do you like them or not? Why?
Literary Approach
Feminism
1. Comment on Tang Ciako’s treatment of Nana Elang.
2. Is the bitch a good mother to her puppies?
3. If you were the author will you treat Nana Elang the same?
New Historicism/Cultural Studies
1. The author, Manuel E. Arguilla, spent his childhood in Nagrebcan,
Bauang, La Union, his birthplace. This was a peaceful place he
immortalized in his stories. Enumerate the cultures of the place that you
have seen in the story.
2. Do you think these are the same at present?
3. Are there words or things in the story which are scarce or not present
anymore?
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – TNEU LIPA CAMPUS
 Vietnam Literature family. The narrative explores themes of poverty, morality, and the
lengths people will go to in order to survive in difficult circumstances.
Vietnam’s Literary History
Structural Elements of the Story
Vietnam
- A country with extensive and rich history in relation to its Characters (These are the people that interact in a story)
literature The young girl : Main protagonist, unnamed, who sells a stolen khaki
- has always prized its literary accomplishments, particularly its coat at the market.
poetry
Old lady : Sells tobacco leaves at the market, briefly interacts with the
Ly Period young girl.
- 1009 - 1225
Woman : Appears at the market and recognizes the khaki coat as her
- the first instances of literary works in Vietnam are dated to be
late husband's, confronts the young girl.
 Ly Nguyen Cat
- popularized theatre Public security agents : Officials who intervene in the situation and
- a prisoner captured by Mongols interrogate the young girl
- made a substantial contribution to its success
Setting
Tran Dynasty - A crowded market in Vietnam, possibly during or after the Vietnam
- 1225 – 1400 War.
- The birth of national literature for Vietnam - The market is described as chaotic, with noise, foul smells, and
- The period in which Vietnam was recovering its independence and disorderliness.
therefore allowed for a strong development in literature - There is also a public security post where the interrogation takes place
- popular pieces of literature were developed and passed throughout
Theme
generations
 Family Love
o This success and development in literature was also
 Sacrifice
accredited to the creation to one of Vietnams first national
 Strength, courage and resilience
languages, which was a variation of Chinese made into a
 Poverty
script for the Vietnamese to use
- encouraged Chinese literacy, which made the Buddhists the first Plot
to write Chinese-Vietnamese literature
 Known authors: - The young girl is selling a stolen khaki coat at the market.
- Pham Su Manh - The woman recognizes the coat as her late husband's and confronts the
- Truong Han Sieu girl.
 both were amazing military figures throughout history - The girl initially tries to lie about the coat's origin but is eventually
caught.
3 main types of literature present in Vietnam - She confesses to digging up graves to strip the dead and earn a living.
- The young girl is detained and awaits trial but is later seen back at the
1.Truyen – traditional oral literature
market, indicating her release.
2.Han Viet – Chinese-Vietnamese Literature
- The climax occurs when the woman recognizes the khaki coat and
3.Quoc Am – modern literature with Romanized characters
confronts the girl, leading to the revelation of her grave-robbing
activities and subsequent interrogation.
- The resolution leaves the girl's fate uncertain, as she is detained but
later returns to the market, suggesting that her struggle for survival
The Khaki Coat continues despite the consequences of her actions.
Nhat Tien
Written in 1988 Plot Convention
- Flashbacks are used sparingly, such as when the girl recalls the toad
Nhat Tien (1936 – 2020) incident, to provide insight into her backstory and motivations
- Real Name: Bùi Nhật Tiến
- A fiction writer Theme
- He was born in Hanoi - Survival and desperation: The young girl's actions are driven by her
- 1954 – he went to Saigon need to provide for herself and her siblings after the death of her
- 1979 – he escaped Vietnam by boat parents.
- 1981 – arrived in Thailand, the immigrated to the US - Morality and justification: The girl rationalizes her graverobbing as a
- He published 16 books (14 novels and 2 collections of short stories) means of survival and providing for her family, despite the ethical
- 1961 – he received the Vietnamese National Literary Award for the implications.
novel Them Hoang (The Abandoned Veranda) - Justice and consequences: The story raises questions about the
- He was the vice-president of the Vietnamese PEN club, director of the appropriate punishment for crimes committed out of necessity,
Huyen Tran Publishing Co, and editor of the weekly Thieu Nhi especially in the context of a society recovering from war
which is a magazine for children Emotional Appeal or Mood
- The story evokes a sense of desperation and hardship as the young girl
Summary navigates the harsh realities of post-war Vietnam.
"The Khaki Coat" tells the story of a young girl living in - There is tension and uncertainty as the girl is confronted by the woman
post-war Vietnam who sells a stolen coat at a market. When the coat's and faces interrogation by the authorities.
rightful owner confronts her, the girl's life of desperation and survival is - The ending leaves a somber tone, with the girl's return to the market
revealed, including her involvement in grave-robbing to support her signaling her continued struggle for survival despite the
consequences of her actions.

ASEAN LITERATURE BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – TNEU LIPA CAMPUS

Point of View Psychological Approach
- The author delves into the psychological motivations and inner turmoil
The point of view in "The Khaki Coat" appears to be third-
of the protagonist, providing insight into her thoughts, emotions,
person limited, primarily focusing on the perspective of the young girl.
and moral dilemmas. This psychological depth adds complexity to
The narrative provides insight into her thoughts, emotions, and
the character and enhances the audience's understanding of her
experiences as she navigates the market and interacts with other
actions and decisions
characters. While the story offers glimpses into the thoughts and
reactions of other characters, such as the woman and the public security Old Man Hac
agents, the focus remains primarily on the girl's perspective. This limited Nam Cao
point of view allows readers to empathize with the protagonist and Written in 1943
understand her motivations, struggles, and moral dilemmas as she
grapples with the harsh realities of post-war Vietnam Nam Cao
- Real Name : Trần Hữu Tri
Symbolism - a Vietnamese short story writer and novelist
Khaki coat: Symbolizes wealth, status, and the divide between the - His works generally received high acclaim from critics for their
affluent and the impoverished. It represents the material possessions of thoughtful description and veracious reflection of the society in the
the deceased and the temptation of material gain for the young girl. 1945 era.
- As a member of the Cultural Association for National Liberation led by
Farina candy: Represents a fleeting escape from the harsh reality of the the Communist Party, he was frequently sent to various places to do
girl's circumstances. It provides a temporary distraction from her missions.
struggles but ultimately cannot alleviate her suffering. - In November 1951, he was ambushed and killed on the way to Lien
Toad: Symbolizes life and the consequences of the girl's actions. Its Khu III, Ninh Bình Province, before his intention of writing a novel
accidental death serves as a metaphor for the girl's moral dilemma and about his country and the revolution was ever met
the harm caused by her desperate means of survival. Old Man Hac
Market: Symbolizes the harsh and chaotic environment in which the The short story is a classic about the dark years of starvation
characters navigate their lives. It reflects the struggles of post-war in the North of Vietnam, specifically the struggle of the man Hac, told
Vietnam and the challenges faced by individuals trying to eke out a living from the perspective of his neighbor. Because of poverty, Hac's son
amidst poverty and societal upheaval. worked at a rubber plantation, far away from home, leaving Hac alone
Narrative Structure with his puppy friend, whom he lovingly called The Golden Boy. Hac
treated Golden like his own missed son and cared for the dog more than
- The story unfolds in a linear fashion, following the young girl's actions himself. Unfortunately, his circumstance turned for the worse, he could
at the market and her subsequent confrontation with the woman not find any source of income to feed himself and Golden. Refusing to
and public security agents. take advantages of the resources that he saved up for his son, Hac was
- The narrative is driven by dialogue and the interactions between forced to sell Golden for slaughter. He felt as if he had failed the trust of
characters, revealing their motivations, conflicts, and shifting power Golden. He gave the money from selling Golden to the neighbor to
dynamics. prepare for his own funeral, and eventually took his own life, by taking
dog poison.
Moral/Lesson of the Story
- The story prompts reflection on the complexities of morality and ethics
in extreme circumstances, such as poverty and war.
- It raises questions about the treatment of individuals who commit
crimes out of necessity and the balance between justice and
compassion in such cases.
- The story highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of individuals
facing adversity, as seen in the young girl's determination to provide
for her family despite societal condemnation.
Literary Approach
Realism
- The story adopts a realistic portrayal of post-war Vietnam, depicting the
harsh realities faced by individuals struggling to survive in a chaotic
and impoverished society. The descriptions of the crowded market,
foul smells, and disorderly atmosphere evoke a sense of authenticity
and believability.
Social Commentary
- The narrative serves as a commentary on societal issues such as poverty,
desperation, and moral ambiguity. Through the protagonist's actions
and interactions with other characters, the story explores the lengths
to which individuals may go to survive in difficult circumstances and
raises questions about the ethical implications of their choices
Character-driven Narrative
- The story focuses on the internal struggles and external conflicts faced
by the protagonist, driving the plot forward through her actions,
decisions, and interactions with other characters. The emphasis on
character development and growth adds depth and nuance to the
narrative, allowing for a deeper exploration of its themes and ideas.
ASEAN LITERATURE BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – TNEU LIPA CAMPUS