New Historicism

By: Adrian Eugenio

and Ruvic Alfajora
 New
Historicism

The New Historicism in the Philippines refers to a literary and historical

approach that emerged in the late 20th century. It emphasizes the interplay
between literature and historical context, highlighting the importance of
considering social, cultural, and political factors when analyzing literary
works.
 Key points of the New Historicism in
the Philippines

Contextual Analysis: New Historicism seeks to understand literary texts by

examining the historical, cultural, and social conditions in which they were
produced. It acknowledges that literature is a product of its time and reflects
the concerns and ideologies of the period.
 Power Relations

This approach places a strong emphasis on power dynamics and how

they are represented in literature. It explores how literature can both
reinforce and challenge existing power structures, including
colonialism, imperialism, and socio-economic disparities.
 Multiple Perspectives

New Historicism encourages the consideration of multiple

perspectives and voices, including those of marginalized groups. It
recognizes that history is often written by the victors and seeks to
uncover the voices and experiences of the marginalized and oppressed.
 Resistance and
Subversion

Scholars of New Historicism in the Philippines examine how literature

can be a tool of resistance and subversion against oppressive systems.
It looks at how authors use their works to critique authority and
challenge dominant ideologies.
 Intertextuality

The New Historicism approach also highlights intertextuality,

emphasizing the connections between different texts and how they
influence and inform each other. This includes examining how
historical documents, speeches, and other texts are interwoven with
literary works.