English Language, Literature & Culture 2018; 3(1): 25-32 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ellc doi: 10.11648/j.ellc.20180301.15 ISSN: 2575-2367 (Print); ISSN: 2575-2413 (Online) Five Filipino Novels in English Depicting Socio-Political Realities Evoke Human Transformations Matilda Dimaano College of Arts and Sciences, Batangas State University, Batangas City, Philippines Email address: To cite this article: Matilda Dimaano. Five Filipino Novels in English Depicting Socio-Political Realities Evoke Human Transformations. English Language, Literature & Culture . Vol. 3, No. 1, 2018, pp. 25-32. doi: 10.11648/j.ellc.20180301.15 Received : May 29, 2018; Accepted : July 13, 2018; Published : August 6, 2018 Abstract: In the world of literature, Henry James stated that novel is history. This is so because novels are written by authors gathering their plot agenda from prevailing socio-political realities in particular time points in history. This study aims to present a review of five Filipino novels in English as to how they exemplify the fictive realities of the Marcosian era and provides a synthesis of the philosophical learnings derived from them. The novels included are: Fortress in the Plaza by Linda Ty-Casper, Bamboo in the Wind by Azucena Grajo Uranza, Killing Time in a Warm Place by Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr., Viajero by F. Sionil Jose and Dream Eden by Linda Ty-Casper. Descriptive method was employed in looking into portrayals of realities and characterizations of personalities in the novels, following a sociological, psychological and philosophical approach in literary criticism. Results showed that sociological dualism, political ferment and economic stagnation were among the socio-political milieu that led to the declaration of Martial law in the Philippines. These realities were reflected in the different dimensions such as the socio-political, the psychological and the philosophical dimensions. While the novels capture the thoughts and aspirations of the authors, these also reveal the human transformations undergone by the characters that arise from their experiences of the Marcosian era. These human transformations include the evolvement of the philosophical constructs of human dignification and that of being a man for others. Keywords: Filipino Novels in English, Socio-Political Realities, Marcosian Era, Human Transformation 1. Introduction A novel is one of the many forms of prose narrative that of its critics and not a mere “historical forgery” through the contained two basic elements: a story and a storyteller [1]. revelation of the design of its author [2]. Historically, it originated in the medieval and early modern Among the nineteenth century novelist, it was Henry romance and following the tradition of the Italian “novella”, James, who began applying the technique of point-of-view it features fictional characters and events in a sequential story narration in his writings where “the minds of his characters format [1, 2]. A novel differs from a romance through its were established as the focal points of interest of the novel” realistic treatment of life and manners. It differs from history [1]. In his works, the reader’s knowledge of events and through its fictional nature geared towards showcasing the characters is bounded by the limitations of the characters or qualities of literature and as an art [3]. While history is central consciousness. In the “The Art of Fiction”, one could written to present factual events that transpired in the past notice how he treats novels as directly related to life itself. geared towards promoting a public discussion regarding Henry James thinks that “novel is history so that like historical responsibilities, a novel itself can deal with history historians one should look at the truth in the novel that is [2, 4]. It would differ though from history through the hand in hand with life itself” [5]. He further claims that, “A timeless value it would have in the hands of private readers novel is in its broadest definition a personal impression of that consider it as a work of art. This literary value life; that to begin with, constitutes its value, which is greater necessitates the possession of the "eternal qualities" of art, or less according to the intensity of the impression... The the "deeper meaning" as revealed through the interpretation form …, is to be appreciated after the fact; when the author’s 26 Matilda Dimaano: Five Filipino Novels in English Depicting Socio-Political Realities Evoke Human Transformations choice has been made, his standard has been indicated; then 2. Methods one can follow lines and directions and compare tones” [5]. Many writers have followed James’ examples and 2.1. Research Method experimented on shifting the focus of the novel “further The study made use of descriptive method in looking into inward to examine human consciousness” [1]. These writers portrayals of realities and characterizations of personalities in [e.g., Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and William Faulkner] the novels. This involved content analysis which is a employed a kind of narration involving a stream of systematic technique in analysing message content and consciousness, in order to establish “the flow of message handling. The nature of the situation as it existed in consciousness.” While the novel continues to become the novels was studied and the causes of particular popular in the present time, its focus has shifted from a phenomena are explored. The novels were examined on the realistic perspective to the more expansive form assumption that a novel of socio-political nature is a incorporating different fictional modes. The three types of historical document in terms of setting, characterization, and fictional mode namely: the science fiction, social, and subject matter. historical novel, have emerged with clear objectives “to be didactic, to instruct readers in the necessity for changing their 2.2. Materials for Criticism morality, their lives, and the institutions of society” [1]. Filipino novels in English are not exempted from this Five Philippine novels, three full-length novels and two literary trend. In fact, it was at a time in Philippine history novellas in English constituted the primary sources of the when socio-political realities have brought much human study. These novels were: Fortress in the Plaza by Linda Ty- suffering that some of these novels were born out of the Casper, Bamboo in the Wind by Azucena Grajo Uranza, creative spirit of Filipino writers perhaps as a way to convey Killing Time in a Warm Place by Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr., Viajero their aspiration for a better way of life. In the Philippines, it by F. Sionil Jose and Dream Eden by Linda Ty-Casper. was the Marcosian era that involved the most widespread 2.3. Treatment of Materials engagement of the national consciousness and evoked the deepest impression that triggered the fruition of these The novels were analysed and interpreted using the three creative works in a way as a realistic documentation of approaches in literary criticism: the sociological, human experiences which could have been lost by the factual psychological and the philosophical approach following the narration of history. The examples of these novels are: works of Lualhati, 1996 [16]; Sicat, 1994 [17]; and Dechosa, Fortress in the Plaza by Linda Ty-Casper [6], Bamboo in the 1999 [18]. The sociological approach considered 1) the Wind by Azucena Grajo Uranza [7], Killing Time in a Warm experiential, 2) the analytic, and 3) the contextual phases. Place by Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr. [8], Viajero by F. Sionil Jose [9] The psychological approach involved the analysis of and Dream Eden by Linda Ty-Casper [10]. It is in these behavior and/or reactions and motives of the main and some narrative materials that this study is aimed at. This study supporting characters in the novels. This approach most often attempts to come up an epoch in Philippine history out of the used the Freudian psychoanalytic theory in character realities of the Marcosian era as reflected in five selected delineation. The philosophical approach followed the moral Filipino novels in English. This study specifically would like or humanistic approach where the nature of man was made to determine: 1) the realities that lead to the declaration of central to literature. This approach required the literary work martial law, 2) capture the realities presented in the five to present man as essentially rational, endowed with intellect novels in terms of socio-political, psychological and and free will, and not misrepresent man’s true nature as philosophical dimensions, and 3) identify the human human being. transformation evolved out of the realities of the Marcosian era. 3. Results and Discussion This study would be particularly relevant with the advent of the new leadership in the Philippines (i.e., the Duterte The realities as depicted in the five novels are presented in administration), where once again, the Filipinos have a taste Table 1. The 1960s until the 1970s were years of pain for the of Martial Law [11]. The declaration of Martial law in Filipinos which led to the declaration of Martial Law [19, Mindanao in May 23, 2017 created a sense of jitters, fear and 20]. Sociological dualism was a common characteristic of the reminders to the population of what they have experienced in realities in the pre-Martial law Philippine society [20]. This is the Marcosian era [12, 13]. Thus, comparisons of the Duterte represented as a dichotomy of two distinguishable sectors martial law and the Marcos martial law have emerged [14, during the sixties onwards. In dramatic strokes, there was a 15]. It would be beneficial to revisit the historical small but significant sector that derived its livelihood by consciousness of martial law captured in the Filipino novels controlling much of the nation’s resources and heading the and how these stories and learning would once again unfold country’s public and private bureaucracies.