An Essay and Critique on Nationalist Literature

I thought of sharing this essay I wrote for my Emerging Literature class on July 14, 2003.I am privileged to have a class under Dr.Elmer Ordonez....We were asked to critique the following books: The Nationalist Literary Tradition -by Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera; Introduction in Nationalist Literary Tradition-by Dr. Elmer Ordonez, Towards a National Literature-By Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera; and Some thoughts on National Literature, by Cirilo Bautista. I thought this essay would be very apt as my opening salvo for my blogspot journey.....I believe we need to have a strong sense of nationhood to achieve that elusive peace...we need to deepen our understanding of our roots and culture to be able to grow as one nation.And the leaders must strive to work hard towards social change...


The struggles of the Filipinos during the Spanish colonization, Japanese imperialism, American Occupation, and Marcos dictatorship have shaped the history of the Filipinos as well as heightened its literature.


The oppression of the colonizers made the writers strong and use various forms of medium to express their sentiments in the need for reform as they try to influence their audience in different medium. During the Spanish time, their writings became a form of propaganda to influence the people and make them see what was really going on. The experiences and history have contributed to the development of literary history.


Nevertheless, as the country moved on from one oppressive tyrant to the other, the writers saw the  need to have one National Literature that would bind them. This became evident after the post-colonial era and before EDSA.There was a need to weed out ideas. There was a need to re-educate the people. The challenge now lies on the new breed of writers.From Baltazar's Florante at Laura, Rizal's Noli and Fili, Aurelio Tolentino's seditious plays, to Bonifacio's poems, as well as Jacinto's essays have all communicated and ignited a revolution among the masses and intellectuals.It has helped liberate the Filipino people.It created action among the people. They have revolted against their oppressors.


However, there was lull in the 50's, but it emerged again in the 70's during the Marcos dictatorship.It was because of control, curtailment of freedom that elicited protest and uprising from the people. It is through literary works that helped ignited a fire and en-kindled passion in a nation. Even if they have to do it underground, still it helped shook the battleground. It inspired the Filipinos to go out and defend their rights. This time it is geared towards "national democracy" ---- a cry for social justice.According to Jose Ma. Sison, this has become their framework for the masses to achieve their social emancipation."


"Nationalist consciousness implanted among the writers by the mass movement of the late '60's has found a way of asserting itself through approved artistic trends. Nativist nationalism encourages artists to look back to the country's past to retrieve forgotten material---- a neglected form of a historical moment of interest to the present." There is a need to look into the commitment based on the development of literary tradition. Because of suppression, modern writers were able to use different metaphors.It is now a question of literary forms by using metaphors to hide its true meanings, "It is because of deep sense of commitment, aspirations, of the people that help "constitute a nation,"  says Lumbera. Colonial intrusion he says, has disrupted the cultural life of people.But by setting up a national literature despite academic influence would help achieve and develop social change.There must be collective thought and dignity despite diverse culture and strong regionalistic views, for nationalism is the sentiment of an oppressed nation. Nationalism helps to reconcile ideas, and helps make a nation stronger.It helps bind the people, it helps eliminate partisanship. What is a true Filipino Nation? It must be a nation that cuts across creed, race, region, and language.There must be one true National Literature----- a literature that sheds light and enlightens everyone to move on. It must this time purify our regionalistic views.