Module 6: Remapping Of Philippine Literature through Criticism
What, then, is literary criticism?
Some will say it is the “reasoned “ consideration or analysis of literary texts and their issues. It may also be an argument about a literary work, which will be proven using the texts and the culture or context the text was written in or for. There is one general agreement among critics, however, when it comes to any kind of critique: it has to be “ practical“.
Criticism is meant to see what has not been seen before, to say what has not been said before, and to change what needs to be changed. It interprets meaning in the text and judges the text’s quality so that it may bring forth new ideas, new realizations, and necessary changes in society.
One of the earliest works of criticism is Plato’s argument against the consequences of poetic inspiration in his written entitled “ The Republic. “ Up until now, this text is used to guide critics on how a text can be interpreted or what other modes of interpretation can be done.
*Function Of Literary Criticism
There are many functions of literary criticism, and they vary depending on the text itself or the context where it is being performed.
Some will say it is the “reasoned “ consideration or analysis of literary texts and their issues. It may also be an argument about a literary work, which will be proven using the texts and the culture or context the text was written in or for. There is one general agreement among critics, however, when it comes to any kind of critique: it has to be “ practical“.
Criticism is meant to see what has not been seen before, to say what has not been said before, and to change what needs to be changed. It interprets meaning in the text and judges the text’s quality so that it may bring forth new ideas, new realizations, and necessary changes in society.
One of the earliest works of criticism is Plato’s argument against the consequences of poetic inspiration in his written entitled “ The Republic. “ Up until now, this text is used to guide critics on how a text can be interpreted or what other modes of interpretation can be done.
*Function Of Literary Criticism
There are many functions of literary criticism, and they vary depending on the text itself or the context where it is being performed.
- Literary criticism may be the simple review of books that you often read online or in local newspaper, or a systematic theoretical discussion of a story’s impact on society.
- Criticism in everyday newspaper may also summarize the worth of the book, or support or deconstruct a publisher’s claim about a given book.
- Another function of literary criticism is to reevaluate any given text. This is to shed new light or to give new meaning to old text.
- Sometimes, literary criticism lets you to see the function old texts in modern society.
- Literary criticism may also be used to invoke discussions, reassess society, and redefine culture based on a literary text.
These kinds of sustained criticism may be found in bimonthly or even annual magazines or journals, which oftentimes have specialized topics.
These kinds of criticisms are usually available to the academe, although some do end up in daily papers or mainstream magazines.
It is also common for criticism to dip its toes into social and political arguments, especially if the literary work is social or political in nature. Because literary criticisms is highly interdisciplinary in nature, it is not afraid to transgress boundaries to argue a point and it also bravely follows where the literary texts goes. Some forms of critical work done in the Philippine have dealt with the following: the abuse of overseas foreign workers (OFWs); the marginalization of women and/or members of the Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community: the environmental degradation and injustice: and even postcolonial theories that dispute the years of colonization in which the country has endured. Critics may be seen as law givers when it comes to books, stories, poems, and the like. They may pass judgment based in their informed critical lenses and can make or break a writer. Even if writers, in the truest sense of the world, are owners of (and are copyright
Holders, too), critics may still persuade the public to place their own judgments on the work, according to how they see fit. That is how powerful criticism is in society.
According to Isagani R. Cruz the situation of Filipino literary theory can be taken as a case study. Although contemporary Filipino theories presumably work in decolonized space Philippine literature (pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial) is still heavily under theorized.
Filipino critics have read everything American critics have read, but American critics have not read half of what Filipino critics have read.
Literary criticism also does not always have to delve into religious or nationalistic interpretations it can be anything about the literary text on hand, as long as is it within the text.
Essential Learning
Literary criticism is often ignored in Philippine literature. Literary criticism, however, is essential because it not only informs the readers of what they may discover through a literary text but also shapes society for it criticizes the context in which the text was written in. There are many functions of literary criticism. It may be to review a literary text, to give an informed opinion about a subject matter or issue, to invoke discussion, or to reevaluate texts.
Criticism is instrumental in fostering healthy academic discussions in any setting. Thus, it is an indispensable part of Philippine literature that must be continually practiced and discoursed about.
These kinds of criticisms are usually available to the academe, although some do end up in daily papers or mainstream magazines.
It is also common for criticism to dip its toes into social and political arguments, especially if the literary work is social or political in nature. Because literary criticisms is highly interdisciplinary in nature, it is not afraid to transgress boundaries to argue a point and it also bravely follows where the literary texts goes. Some forms of critical work done in the Philippine have dealt with the following: the abuse of overseas foreign workers (OFWs); the marginalization of women and/or members of the Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community: the environmental degradation and injustice: and even postcolonial theories that dispute the years of colonization in which the country has endured. Critics may be seen as law givers when it comes to books, stories, poems, and the like. They may pass judgment based in their informed critical lenses and can make or break a writer. Even if writers, in the truest sense of the world, are owners of (and are copyright
Holders, too), critics may still persuade the public to place their own judgments on the work, according to how they see fit. That is how powerful criticism is in society.
According to Isagani R. Cruz the situation of Filipino literary theory can be taken as a case study. Although contemporary Filipino theories presumably work in decolonized space Philippine literature (pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial) is still heavily under theorized.
Filipino critics have read everything American critics have read, but American critics have not read half of what Filipino critics have read.
Literary criticism also does not always have to delve into religious or nationalistic interpretations it can be anything about the literary text on hand, as long as is it within the text.
Essential Learning
Literary criticism is often ignored in Philippine literature. Literary criticism, however, is essential because it not only informs the readers of what they may discover through a literary text but also shapes society for it criticizes the context in which the text was written in. There are many functions of literary criticism. It may be to review a literary text, to give an informed opinion about a subject matter or issue, to invoke discussion, or to reevaluate texts.
Criticism is instrumental in fostering healthy academic discussions in any setting. Thus, it is an indispensable part of Philippine literature that must be continually practiced and discoursed about.