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: motivate and inspire, drawn from the suggested morals or lessons
1984 - Brunei of the different literary genres.
1995 - Vietnam - It should present moral values for us to reflect and eventually inspire
1997 - Laos and Myanmar us to become a better person
1999 - Cambodia Permanence
1967 - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand - literature endures across time and draws out the time factor.
- could be read again and again as reading gives fresh delights and new
The Meaning, Qualities, and Importance of Literature insights.
Literratura - It should be long lasting (pagiging timeless ng isang literature.)
- Latin word which means "learning, a writing, grammar", Style
originally "writing formed with letters" - literature represents peculiar way/s on how man sees life as
Literature evidenced by the formation of his ideas, forms, structures, and
- A term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material expressions which are marked by their memorable substances.
- The most recent amendment to what constitutes literature is the Universality
inclusion of oral narratives - literature appeals to everyone, regardless of culture, race, gender, and time
- A body of written works which are all considered significant. It deals with an array of individual
- traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry perceptions as well as orientation.
and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and - regardless kung anong gender, race, culture, atpinagmulan, para sa
the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution lahat ang pagbabasa ng literature
- classified according to a variety of systems:
o language, national origin, historical period, genre, subject Two Main Divisions of Literature
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 Prose
message kapag gagaling ito sa totoo nating mga experiences - from the Latin word ‘prosa’ or phrase ‘prosa oratio’ which
means straightforward speech
Terry Eagleton - any written work that follows a basic grammatical structure
- “Literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language, deviates o think words and phrases arranged into sentences and
systematically from everyday speech” paragraphs
- Ginagawang mas malalim para magkaroon ng multiple layers of - mga fiction (hindi totoo; from our imaginations) and non-fiction
meaning (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 - Dramatic Visualization (description of gestures and dialogues making
of the story scenes vivid to the readers)
- the author must create a scene that takes place in the future
Theme
Deus-ex-Machina - The underlying message of the central idea which are reflected n
- tells a good character in a bad situation ensures character wins characters, words and actions, events, and other elements
within an unexpected or implausible used to resolve the situation - about the life and human experience that the author is conveying in the
- ang good character daw in the story, ang ginagawang tektik ay kahit story which is universal in nature
pa nasa bad situations, ay laging nananalo sa huli - The reader can ask himself the following to get the theme:
 What is the author trying to convey in the characters and events of
Hypodiegesis (story within a story)
the fiction?
- tells a story within a story
 What’s the big idea-love, hate, war, passion, peace, friendship,
- tipong nagbabasa ka ng story, pero yung story yung binabasa mo,
crime?
nagkikwento rin sa'yo
 What does the story tell about human life?
Foreshadowing
Emotional Appeal
- indicates or hints something in the later part of the story
- moves the emotion of the reader and the audience
- narrations or part ng story na nagbibigay at nag-iindicate ng mga
- a way or method used by the author to create emotional response
clues or hints.
among is readers or audience
- Persuasive writing is used. The language should sway the emotion to
Point of View
convince the readers.
Point of view (POV) - Metaphor or simile is often used to create comparison to feel the
- refers to who is telling a story, or who is narrating it connection in the story
Types of POV
1. First Person POV Literary Approaches
- the narrator tells the story from his or her own perspective
Feminism
- use of the pronouns "I" or "We"
- supports the feminist goals of defining, establishing, and defending
- offers the author a great way to give the reader direct access to a
equal political, economic, and social rights for women
particular character's thoughts, emotions, voice, and way of
- often associated with literary pieces written by women that deal with
seeing the world—their point of view about the main events of
women in the society
the story
- gives an impact to the voice of women
 Thief’s POV
- "I was desperate for something to eat. Judging by her New Historicism
expensive-looking shoes, I figured she could afford to part - a form of literary theory which aims to understand intellectual history
with her purse." through literature and literature through its cultural context
- The narrator is the main character - deals with the cultural context during the writing of the piece of
 Victim’s POV literature
- "He came out of nowhere! Too bad for him, though: I only
Formalism vs. New Criticism
had five dollars in my bag."
- critical approaches that analyze, interpret, or evaluate the inherent
- the narrator is a witness to the story but she or he is not the
features of a text
main character
- reduces the importance of a text's historical, biographical, and cultural
2. Second Person POV
context
- uses the pronoun "you" to immerse the reader in the experience
of being the protagonist
Tata Selo
- places the reader "on the playing field" by putting them in the
position of the protagonist—the one to whom the action occurs Rogelio Sikat
3.Third Person POV Tata Selo
- the narrator is someone (or some entity) who is not a character in the - a poignant short story that revolves around an elderly man named Tata
story being told Selo, who grapples with the harsh realities of life in a rural Filipino
- uses the pronouns "he, " "she, " and "they, " to refer to all the community
characters o set against the backdrop of cultural traditions and societal
- the most common point of view in writing, as it gives the writer a expectations, Tata Selo faces challenges that test his resilience
considerable amount of freedom to focus on different people, events, and beliefs
and places without being limited within the consciousness of a single - Theme/s : Family dynamics,. Social norms, impact of change on
character traditional values
- "What are you doing?" Yossarian asked guardedly when he entered - captures the complexities of human emotions and the enduring spirit of
the tent, although he saw at once. "There's a leak here, " Orr said. a simple man in the face of adversity
"I'm trying to fix it." "Please stop it, " said Yossarian. "You're
making me nervous." Rogelio Sikat
- Born on June 26, 1940 in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.
Other Literary Conventions - 6th child of Estanislao Sicat and Crisanta Rodriguez
- 1950 – he worked in the University of Sto. Tomas.
Convention Style - A Campus Writer and Literary Editor of The Varsitarian
- Language used (use of figurative language) - Ang mga gawa ni Sicat, na nagpabangon sa nakagawiang literatura
- Sensory Detail (mental images of scenes using descriptive words) natin at nagpamulat sa kalagayan ng ating lipunan, ay unang nakita
sa magasin ng Liwayway

ASEAN LITERATURE BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY – TNEU LIPA CAMPUS

- 1962 and 1965 – nakakuha siya ng awards sa Parangal sa Palanca 1. What in the fiction can you base your assumption of the year it was
Awards written?
- Mga Ago sa Disyerto – lumabas bilang antolohiya 2. Compare the culture of the people on this kind of situation during the
Summary: time of its writing and the present time.
The short story “Tata Selo” by Rogelio Sicat is about a Formalism
farmer named after the title of story. Tata Selo is a widower, he lost his 1. What picture of scenes or places or things become vivid in your mind
wife due to sickness and left the daughter named Saling to be alone with as they are described in the fiction?
his father. Tata Selo wanted to reclaim his land because he sold it for the 2. Do they have meanings or are they symbols of what?
sake of his wife who was sick at that time. But he did not have any money 3. How do the incidents help you create conclusions about the characters
therefore he has to work to reclaim the land that he once had. The and events?
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. Morning in Nagrebcan
While begging to not to be dismissed, Kabesang Tano keeps hitting Tata Manuel E. Arguilla
Selo on the forehead. Defending himself, he struck Kabesang Tano and
Manuel Estabilla Arguilla
accidentally killed him. From that point, a lot of oppression and
- Born in Nagrebcan on June 17, 1911 – Beheaded, Manila Chinese
inequality can be perceived against the protagonist of the story
Cemetery (August 30, 1944)
- An Ilocano writer in English, patriot, and martyr
Emotional Appeal
- Known for How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife (won the 1st
 How do you feel about Tata Selo? prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940)
- Most of his stories depict scenes in Barrio Nagrebcan, Bauang, La
The emotional appeal of "Tata Selo" lies in its portrayal of human
Union..
resilience and the poignant exploration of traditional values.
o His bond with his birthplace (forged by his dealings with the
The character of Tata Selo, an elderly man facing challenges in a peasant folk of Ilocos) remained strong even after he moved to
changing society, evokes empathy as readers witness his struggles with Manila where he studied at the University of the Philippines.
societal expectations and family dynamics.  He finished BS Education in 1933
 He became a member and the president of the U.P Writer’s Club
The story's emotional depth stems from the universal themes it addresses
and editor of the university’s Literary Apprentice
– the clash between tradition and modernity, the complexities of familial
relationships, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of Themes and Symbols
adversity.
1.What realities of life do you see in the following:
Readers may connect with Tata Selo on a personal level, making the Physical fight of the brothers
emotional impact of the story resonate deeply The mother like Nana Elang
The reconciliation of the brothers
Theme Tang Ciako’s rudeness
1.Family Love 2.What do the following symbolize? Give their meanings.
2.Discrimination and Inequality The sun at the beginning and end of the story
3.Social Status and Wealth The black-spotted puppy
The eating of banana with its skin
Literary Approach The single bamboo pole that served as the railing
The literary approach of "Tata Selo" by Rogelio Sikat involves a
Visual Appeal
combination of social realism and character-driven narrative.
1. Read from the text the parts that give you an image of their poor house
Sikat employs social realism by portraying the rural Filipino community
and surrounding.
with authenticity, addressing the challenges and changes it undergoes.
2. What is your interpretation of the image?
The story also focuses on character development, particularly Tata Selo,
as a means to explore the impact of societal shifts on an individual. Emotional Appeal

This character-driven approach allows readers to empathize with Tata 1.Read the parts that stir your emotion
Selo's struggles and provides a lens through which broader social themes 2.Do you like them or not? Why?
are examined.
Literary Approach
Overall, the literary approach combines a realistic portrayal of society
Feminism
with a deep exploration of characters and their personal journey
1. Comment on Tang Ciako’s treatment of Nana Elang.
Feminism
2. Is the bitch a good mother to her puppies?
1. What do you think is the illness of Saling? 3. If you were the author will you treat Nana Elang the same?
2. How is Saling depicted in the fiction?
New Historicism/Cultural Studies
3. What do you think did the mayor do to her? Why didn't she want to
go home? 1. The author, Manuel E. Arguilla, spent his childhood in Nagrebcan,
4. If you were the author how will you make Saling react to the situation? Bauang, La Union, his birthplace. This was a peaceful place he
5. What does the author want to tell the role of the mayor towards immortalized in his stories. Enumerate the cultures of the place that you
Saling? have seen in the story.
New Historicism 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?

ASEAN LITERATURE 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