Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study Macasaet, Grace Minerva Q., Teodoro M
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Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study Macasaet, Grace Minerva Q., Teodoro M. Maranan Abstract: The study on the “Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: A Comparative Study” reveals the intent of the researcher to investigate on the commonalities of cultural values in the community life and lifestyles of some selected Southeast Asian countries based on selected short stories of ASEAN literature. These selections were all written during the period from 1950s – 1990s against a background of profound political, social, and psychological change. The researcher has found out that it is not difficult to Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, and the understand why the short story has been readily Philippines. The primary focus of this study was the adopted by Southeast Asian countries and has gained comparative analysis of the commonalities of cultural prominence in the present-day literature of these values in the community life and lifestyles of some countries. The adaptability of the short story has selected ASEAN countries as reflected on enabled them to encompass a wide range of human representative short stories of ASEAN literature. experience. For example, social stratification is present in practically all societies. The idea of The outputs of the system were the results, findings, inequality in power, status, wealth, or all three. In and implications of the selected Southeast Asian the traditional societies of Southeast Asia, countries for peace, unification, and solidarity in the stratification is seen primarily in terms of a social Southeast Asian region. The researcher was also hierarchy which bestows status. This study of the interested to know if there had been any change in cultural values offer valuable insights into the the image depiction of the selected Southeast Asian character and integration of Southeast Asian short countries in contemporary short stories from 1950s to stories. The short story, with its immersion in society 1990s. and its concern for the individual, has continually List of 35 Short Stories from Seven Southeast Asian engaged itself in discovering the patterns that emerge Countries from the relationship between the individual and Indonesia society. ASEAN literature is important in the society 1. Inem by Pramoedya Ananta Toer 1952 where it is written. People read a great deal of short 2. Sri Sumarah by Umar Kayam 1975 stories, mostly for entertainment, the effects can be 3. The Soldier by Nugroho Notosusanto 1956 more profound and longer lasting than mere 4. The Decline and Fall of Our Local Mosque escapism. by A.A. Navis 1956 5. Meant For Each Other by Abdul Muis 1956 Content Analysis is a research technique which involves the objective systematic and qualitative Malaysia description of the manifest content of 1. Mariah by Che Husna Azhari 1993 communication. 2. Victoria and Her Kimono by M.Shanmughalingam 1984 The researcher of this study deciphered the images 3. A Question of Dowry by Siew Yue that could be seen in the short story under study Killingley 1962 through the chosen literary elements. From these 4. A Common Story by Kassim Ahmad 1959 literary elements, she identified the different social 5. Grave Harvest by Ajikik 1978 realities that are revealed through economy, politics, education and religious life of some selected Myanmar Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. Publication rights with Alkhaer Publications. Published at: http://www.ijsciences.com/pub/issue/2015-10/ DOI: 10.18483/ijSci.631; Online ISSN: 2305-3925; Print ISSN: 2410-4477 GRACE MINERVA Q. MACASAET (Correspondence) [email protected] + Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study 1. This Realm of Humans by Khin Hnin Yu 3. How did the identified cultural values in 1962 the short stories reflect the roles of the following 2. Neighbours by Moe Moe (Inya) 1972 aspects in the lives of Southeast Asian people? 3. Mother’s Merit by Thu Maung 1980 3.1 Economy 4. The Kindergarten Teacher by Aung Thinn 3.2 Politics 1960 3.3 Education 5. The Carat 13-Diamond by Daw Khin Myo 3.4 Religious life Chit 1955 3.5 Social life 4. How were the cultural values among the Philippines selected Southeast Asian countries 1. Children of the City by Amadis Ma. compared based on the ten motivational Guerrero 1971 types of values as reflected in the short 2. Clay by Juan T. Gatbonton 1951 stories? 3. The House on Zapote Street by Quijano de Manila 1968 Conclusions 4. The Day the Dancers Came by Bienvenido 1. Six of the thirty-five short stories prioritize N. Santos 1967 achievement, personal success, competent 5. Wedding Dance by Amador T. Daguio performance, obtaining social approval, intelligence, 1953 self – respect, social recognition, and ambition. These short stories are from Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and three masterpiece stories from Singapore Myanmar. 1. Bugis by Alfian Sa’at 1997 2. Four of the thirty – five short stories depict 2. The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues by cultural values of self-direction, independent thought, S.Kon 1960 creativity, autonomy, independence, intelligence, and 3. The Effect of a Good Dinner by Arthur Yap privacy. They come from Singapore, Thailand, and 1963 two stories from Vietnam. 4. Monster by Catherine Lim 1966 3. Four of the thirty – five short stories represent 5. The Tiger by S. Rajaratnam 1978 cultural values of Security, safety, harmony, stability of society, national security, social order, family Thailand security, national security, reciprocation of favors, 1. As If It Had Never Happened by and sense of belonging. They are from four the Witthayakon Chiangkun 1974 Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 2. The Grandmother by K. Surangkhanang 4. Four of the thirty – five short stories represent 1964 cultural values of Benevolence; enhancing the 3. Lord Buddha, Help Me? by Suchit welfare of the in – group; smooth group functioning; Wongthred 1975 concern for family; primary groups; and for others’ 4. Michigan Test by Wanit Jarungkit-Anan welfare; helpfulnes, honesty, forgiving, loyal, true 1974 friendship, mature love, and spiritual life. They come 5. Thong Proi The Rich Girl by M.R.Kukrit from Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Pramoj 1954 5. Three of the thirty – five short stories describe cultural values of Stimulation, excitement, challenge Vietnam in life, need for variety, a varied life, and daring life. 1. New Virtue by Nguyen Ban 1962 They come from the Philippines, Thailand, and 2. An Unsound Sleep by Nhat – Tien 1974 Vietnam. 3. The Cradles by Mai Ngu 1962(Vietnam) 6. Three of the thirty – five short stories picture 4. The Blind Alley by Ma Van Khang 1962 cultural values of Hedonism, gratification for oneself, 5. My Milk Goes Dry by Minh-Quan 1974 needs and pleasure, enjoying life, and self-indulgent. They come from are Singapore, Thailand, and This study aimed to compare the cultural values of Myanmar. Southeast Asian countries as reflected in Southeast 7. Three of the thirty – five short stories represent Asian short stories. cultural values of Conformity, restraint of actions, Specifically, this study sought to answer the social norms, obedience, self-discipline, politeness, following questions honoring parents and elders, loyalty, and being 1. What elements did the writers use to show responsible. They come from Malaysia and two cultural values in the chosen short stories? masterpieces from Indonesia. 2. How did these cultural values relate to the 8. Three of the thirty – five short stories describe prevailing situations conditions, and actual events cultural values of Tradition, respect, commitment to during the time when the short stories were written? customs/traditions, culture and religion, devout of http://www.ijSciences.com Volume 4 – October 2015 (10) 58 Cultural Values in Selected Southeast Asian Countries As Reflected in Representative Short Stories: Comparative Study religious rites/beliefs, and symbols. They come from write more effectively if they are shown model the Philippines, and two short stories from Malaysia. compositions about diverse Southeast Asian 9. Three of the thirty – five short stories depict literatures. cultural values of Universalism, understanding, 9. The International Studies Department must meet tolerance, protection for nature/environment, social the faculty for two purposes: a.) to discuss special justice, equality, world peace, spiritual life, problems on International Relations and comparative protection for the welfare of all people. They come foreign policies of major powers and colonizers using from the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. world literature materials. 10. Two of the thirty – five short stories depict 10. A conscientious use of the Southeast Asian short cultural values of Power, social status, prestige, stories translated in English will surely make the control and dominance over people and resources, College students discover further the comparison in authority, wealth, social power, preservation of their diverse cultural values and to authenticate the public image, and social recognition. They come validity and practicality of this study. from Singapore and Indonesia. Keywords: Cultural Values, literature, short story, Recommendations culture