1. Guess vs. Hypothesis vs.

Theory
Guess is an estimation without sufficient information to be sure of being correct.
Hypothesis is a temporary answer made on the basis of limited information to explain the
occurrence of a specific phenomenon set forth as a starting point for further investigation.
A theory is a plausible or scientifically accepted principle to explain a phenomenon.
2. Literary Theories
a. Psychoanalytic Theory
 argues that literary texts, like dreams, express the secret unconscious
desires and anxieties of the author, that a literary work is a manifestation
of the author's own neuroses. One may psychoanalyze a particular
character within a literary work, but it is usually assumed that all such
characters are projections of the author's psyche.
b. Feminist Theory
 The idea that patriarchal Western society subsumes the role of women
with the use of language constructs and representation of society based on
male viewpoints.
 Socioeconomic, experimental and cultural differences do not lend
themselves to a universal female ideology, and as such should not be a
basis for understanding any piece of literature.
 Began as an opposition to male critical theory.
c. Marxist Theory
 Tend to focus on the representation of class conflict as well as the
reinforcement of class distinctions.
 Focuses on power and money in works of literature
d. New criticism
 is directed against the prevailing concern of critics with the lives and
psychology of authors, with social background and with literary history.
 The text reveals the meaning of the overall piece through the resolution of
some contradiction.
 Dismisses authorial intent and instead derives meaning from the text itself
e. Lesbian, Gay and Queer Theory
 opens discourse surrounding cultural binaries and binary oppositional
language.
 differs from feminist theory that looks upon women as “others”
f. Structuralist
 the meaning of the text is in the structure it employs.
 Investigates the kinds of patterns that are built up and broken down within
the text and uses them to get an interpretation of that text.
 Signifiers (ideas) take the place of the signified.
 The relationship of one signifier to another is what provides the context
with which to extrapolate meaning.
g. Deconstruction
  a philosophical assumption that all language is vague.
 everything can be misread or making it impossible to interpret anything in
a static or stable way.
 “A theory of reading which aims to undermine the logic of opposition
within texts” A Dictionary of Critical Theory
 Nothing written can really mean what we think it means
h. Reader response criticism
 the text is completely subjective and author 's intent means nothing
 meaning is discovered through the readers reaction to what they have read,
or the relationship between the reader and the text
 each reader may bring in any interpretation based on experience and his or
her ideology
i. New culture and new historical
 seeks to find meaning in a text by considering the work within the
framework of the prevailing ideas and assumptions of its historical era
 is more "sociohistorical" than it is a delving into factoids: concerned with
ideological products or cultural constructs which are formations of any era
3. Philippine literature literary timeline
a. Pre-Colonial Period
Characteristics:
 Based on oral tradition
 Crude on ideology and phraseology
Characterized by:
 Legends. A form of prose, the common theme of which is about
the origin of a thing, place, location or name.
 Folk Tales. Are made up of stories about life, adventure, love,
horror and humor where one can derive lessons about life.
 Epic Age. Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of
heroic achievements or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with at
length.
 Folk Songs. These songs mirror the early forms of culture. Many
of these have 12 syllables
Hele or oyayi – lullaby
Tagay (Cebuano and Waray)- drinking song
Dalit or Imno
Kundiman
 Riddles. These are made up of one or more measured lines with
rhyme and many consist of 4 to 12 syllables.

 Proverbs (salawikain). Wise sayings that contain a metaphor used

to teach as a food for thought.
b. Spanish Colonization Period
Characteristics:
 It has two distinct classifications: religious and secular
 It introduced Spanish as the medium of communication
Literary Forms:
 Religious Literature – religious lyrics written by Latino poets or
those versed in both Spanish and Tagalog were included in early
cathecism.
Pasyon – long narrative poem about the passion and death of
Christ.
Senakulo – dramatization of the pasyon.
Cantada – chanted like the Pasyon
Hablada – lines are spoken in a more deliberate manner
showing the rhythmic measure of each verse and rhyming
in each stanza and is more dignified in theme.
Panuluyan – presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is the
presentation of the search of Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn
wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
 Secular
Awit – colorful tales of chivalry made for singing and chanting
Korido – metrical tale written in octosyllabic quatrains
Balagtasan – a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a
particular topic or issue
c. American Colonization Period
Period of Imitation (1910-1924)
1. Filipino writers imitated English and American models.
2. This resulted in a stilted, artificial and unnatural style, lacking vitality
and spontaneity.
 Short stories
Dead Stars – Paz Marquez Benitez
The Key – Paz Latorena
Footnote to Youth – Jose Garcia Villa
Period of Self Discovery and Growth (1925-1941)
1. By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English
writing.
2. They now confidently and competently wrote on a lot of subjects
although the old-time favorites youth and love persisted.
3. Influence of Western culture was already evident
 Short stories
The Broken Parasol – Jose Lansang
Talanata’s Wife – Jose Hamada
His Gift – Amando G. Dayrit
d. Japanese Colonization Period
 1. Philippine literature in English came to a halt. Except for Tribune and
Philippine Review, all newspapers in English were stopped by the
Japanese.
2. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and instead wrote
in simple language and free verse
 Poetry
Haiku – a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was made of
17 syllables divided into three lines (5-7-5).
Tanaga – like the Haiku but it had a measure and rhyme. Each line
a 17 syllables.
 Short Stories
The field of short stories widened during the Japanese occupation.
Many wrote short stories. The best writings in 1945 were selected
by a group of judges. As a result of the selection, the following got
the first three prizes:
First Prize: Lupang Tinabunan – Narciso Reyes
Second Prize: Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa – Liwayway
Arceo
Third Prize: Lunsod Nayon at Dagat-Dagatan – NVM
Gonzales
e. Martial Law
1. The youth became completely rebellious during this period. Campus
newspapers showed rebellious emotions.
2. Martial law repressed and curtailed human rights, including freedom of
the press.
3. Writers used symbolism and allegory to drive home their message, at
the face of censorship.
4. Literature of the activists reached a point where they stated boldly what
should be done to effect these changes.
 Poetry:
Prometheus Unbound – Pete Lacaba (Jose F. Lacaba)
 Novels:
Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage - Jose F. Lacaba
 Short Stories:
The Ritual – Cirilo F. Bautista
The Archipelago – Cirilo F. Bautista
f. Modern/Contemporary Period
1. From the 80’s onwards, Filipinos continued to show dynamism and
innovation.
2. Characterized by the growing sense of nationalism and deeper search of
identity, the writers depicted themes reflecting the experiences in the
1960s.
3. The simple romantic themes of the early period and even the middle
period gave way to themes of violence and confusion in the 1960’s and
70’s.
 Short stories
The artistic quality of short stories did not developed rapidly.
However, there was a development in the themes. The writers
gradually shifted from private problems to revealed life to themes
of national and city life.
The Latecomer – Carlos Odeja Aureus
The Amulet – David C. Martinez
 Essays
Since 1960, may essayists have written about social or political
questions, history or literature racism.
 Poems
Filipino poets showed further development in skill and originality
in the modern period. The poets reflected and interpreted the
events that are happening in the Philippines.