Literature During the Early Period (1900-1930) Essay

The twentieth century ushered in the development of Philippine literature in position. Weeks after the capitulation of Manila, the U.S. Military Government was set up and, almost 7 schools were re-opened as a necessary strategy to promote the pacification of the Philippines and the dissemination of unwashed culture. English was archetypical taught merely as a subject beca design the Spanish system of education then existing in the Philippines was allowed to continue.In April 1900, by virtue of President McKinleys directives of the Philippine Commission, English became the official medium of charge in the public schools. In order to accelerate the pacification drive, schools were established in all part of the Philippines. The primal teachers were scoren in directly from the army. To augment the small number of American teachers, the Philippine popular School, now Philippine Normal University, was founded in 1902 to train Filipinos in the art of teaching and eventually take charge of elementary education. In the kindred year, the Army transport, Thomas, brought six hundred American teachers to the Philippines who replaced the soldiers as teachers. They introduced to the Filipinos English and American literature in the form of works written by Irving, Chaucer, Milton, Donne, Shakespeare, Emerson, Hawthorn, Poe, Longfellow, Bryant, Keats, Shelley, Coleridge, Lamb, Joyce, Tennyson, Macaulay, and other famous writers. These were the writers who became the models of the early Filipino writers in English.At first, Filipino writing in English was quite formal and imitative, thus, the common reference to this period was known as Apprentice period. Influences from the Spanish language could be seen in the use of Spanish expressions and in ornate style. Grammatical expression were at times awkward and there was impediment in the use of prepositions and pronouns.The first thirty days of Philippine literature in English produced teensy-weensy in the fields of drama and novel. Drama was hardly written, because vernacular plays and zarzuela still dominated the stage. The plays producedwere highly emotional, non in sound outectual experiences.The short stories produced during this period were either romantic tales of the past with legendary figures or were imitations of plots or themes taken from American and other sources. The most significant short story produced during the period was Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez. poem was dominated by nave sentimental love lyrics written in a loose grandiosity without much intellectual significance and overblown to achieve intensity. Verbal exuberance made the poems bombastic, artificial and insincere.The set about took a form similar to that utilized by British and American writers, unless because the essay is a free form of composition, it soon developed its own personality. The Philippine essay in English is less(prenominal) inhibited by requirements inherent in other literary genres. It mat ured earlier in the comfortable milieu and successfully projected Philippine customs and traditions.However, most critics agree that the early literary make in English can be considered definitely commendable. It can be favourably compared to the Colonial extremity of American Literature in relation to English literature of those times.Footnote to YouthJose Garcia VillaDodong, who is 17 years old wished to marry Teang. He wanted to go home so that he could tell his incur and ask for his permission. At first, he was hesitant of saying it, but he wanted him to know. For Dodong, he is a well-grown man and can handle things like marriage. When he told his father about it, a considerable silence surrounded the house. His father asked him if he must marry because he was still young. But Dodong resented his fathers question, and finally was being permitted to get unify.After 9 months, Teang gave birth to their first son named Blas. every(prenominal) of a sudden, Dodong felt guilty and ashamed to his mother because of becoming a father at a very young age. But when he saw his child, he could not control the happiness in him. Dodong did not want any more children, but he could not help them from coming. For six attendant years, a new child came along. There were seven children in all.Teang did not complain even though she secretly regretted being married at an early age. She was very thin and shapeless now because of intent many children and the hard work of taking care of them as well as the household. Sometimes, she wondered if she would have the same life if Lucio, her other suitor who was nine years older than Dodong, was the one she married. But she loved Dodong. Lucio got married after Teangs marriage to Dodong, but he was childless until now.When Blas turns 18, he told his father, Dodong, that he wants to marry Tona. Dodong did not want his son to marry yet because he was young and Dodong already knew what comes next to it. Dodong did not object, but t ried to make his son think twice before rushing to marriage. He does not want Blas to end up like him.