Lecture notes or study material for a Philippine Literature course (GE 117). Covers the Literature of the New Society, state writings by Marcos, periodicals like The Manila Review, and poets such as Edith Tiempo. Also discusses OPM music in the 1970s, Amado Vinuya's Obsession, and Leoncio Deriada's The Dog Eaters.
This is a set of lecture notes or study material for a Philippine Literature course numbered GE 117. It is intended for students studying the literary and cultural history of the Philippines, particularly during the martial law era and beyond.
The first section covers the Literature of the New Society, describing its dual nature of state-sanctioned works for nation-building and independent works capturing social realities. It mentions Marcos-authored texts such as Tadhana and Five Years of the New Society, and periodicals like The Manila Review and The Archipelago. Poets Edith Tiempo, Rolando Tinio, and Bienvenido Santos are listed.
The next section discusses Songs of the New Society, focusing on the power of music in the 1970s as a medium for social expression and national identity. It covers the rise of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and themes of hope, patriotism, and yearning for freedom carried through double meanings in songs.
The material then examines Amado Vinuya's Obsession, a work of psychological realism exploring internal fixations, unspoken desires, and mental turmoil. Central themes include unchecked ambition and psychological isolation, with literary techniques such as internal monologues and symbolic imagery.
Finally, it covers Leoncio Deriada's The Dog Eaters, a social realist story exposing urban poverty, economic desperation, and moral decay in informal settlements. The central conflict involves characters Victor and Mariana, highlighting marital strain and the struggle for dignity. The text notes the story's raw dialogue and stark cultural symbolism.
A concluding reflection ties the lessons together, noting how literature adapts to political and social shifts, from state-controlled creativity to psychological realism and social critique. The document presents these as part of a course journey through Philippine literature.