The Struggle For Literature: Literature During Philippine Martial Law (Book Report Sample)

Charlene Ann Mildred Barroga LIT203B Paper 2 4ABHUM The Struggle For Literature: Literature During Philippine Martial Law Literature has been dealing with human experience ever since history. This is because, it has been undergoing struggles not just in approaches to the study, but even censorship. This is proven during the Martial Law period in Philippine History With this, some works were published when the dictator was overthrown from his power. Some of these works were those of Lualhati Bautista--the Dekada ‘70 and Desaparasidos. These two novels address the people’s experiences during the Martial Law period in the country as the setting depicted in these two novels expose the past horrors in Philippine Society The first issue was gender inequality as seen in the first portion of Dekada ’70 through the character of Amanda Bartolome as she narrates her first person Point of View in the story to quote: “Ayan. Ma-ego, and po? Boys daw, at hindi girls ang nilikha para magpaka-diyos sa ibabaw ng bundok at sa mga karagatan. Well, it’s a man’s world honey…” (Bautista: Dek, p.14)” Given this issue of gender inequality, we see a disappointment for the main character’s perspective; however, Amanda still tried to thrive as a mom of these boys despite the circumstances that come into the way such as the notoriety of her sons (Bautista: Dek, pp.14-15). Hence, the first portion that the issue of gender inequality created a big impact in the culture of Filipinos which still remains an issue even during this period. Due to the effects colonialism brought in the country, despite the independence gained from the foreign colonizers. Though, gender inequality may not be a serious horror from the past but it can leave emotional impact as well. The next important issue that martial law gave in was the suppression of freedom as it was narrated in the third chapter of Dekada’70: “Isang linggo bago ibaba and martial law ay nagkaro’n ng maramihang pag aresto sa mga lider-estudyante sa kampus. Pinawalan din naman ang marami sa manila sa bisa ng piyansa pero may iilang naiwan at sinamangpalad na maabutan ng muling pagsuspindi sa writ of habeas corpus.” (Bautista: Dek, p. 33) Aside from this there also were raids, zonings and even suppression of the Freedom of the press given this period as different press offices closed down. In addition, student councils and campus papers were suspended as well (Bautista: Dek, p. 33). As time went on and economic factors and livelihood was concerned, which then created a big impact to the Bartolome family. As noted in pp. 33-34 “ Hindi ko alam kung billing pakikisimpatiya sa diva ng pagtitipid karugtong ng pandaigdigang krisis- pangkabuhayan o billing prom ng pagluluksa sa pagkamatay umano ng kalayaan kaugnay ng batas-militar, may mga eskwelahan no’ng 73 hanggang nagpasyang h’wag na lang magdaos ng commencement exercises...” Here we see that as one of the Bartolome children become affected with the ongoing social issues and livelihoods as in the country during that time particularly Gani; however, as they had to adjust to the drastic changes (Bautista Dek, pp. 33-35). Even family traditions such as Christmas and New Year affected the families as fireworks blast with which people chant “Marcos, Hitler, diktador, tuta!” however, despite this the family still shows gratitude with another safe year from all the problems (Bautista: Dek, p. 82). With this type of living another type of horror in society was being highlighted by Dekada ’70-- the suppression of freedom which affected the personal lives of such families. In seeing how school traditions, social gatherings, and even family traditions. Through the examples dedicated by the Bartolome family, it is evident that ordinary people at that time tried to live ordinarily, could not voice out their opinions in public, and just go with the flow during these days which was an extreme horror in those days. Lastly, the major issue during Martial Law was presented in another novel by Lualhati Bautista Desaparecidos— the disappearances, the tortures and the killings of different victims of Martial Law. As it talks about Martial Law but it centralizes on another person— Anna. The first portion introduces the scene with the main character Anna attending a talk concerning the violation of human rights as they present dead bodies with her husband included. As to quote the passage: “He was killed by soldiers of the 24th Infantry Battalion. His body was displayed at the town plaza…Simple...Pinatay ito sa isang masikip, malamok, madilim na silid na tulad ng lugar kung saan pinatay din ang kanyang ama, at pinalabas na napatay sa engkwentro.” (Bautista Des, p.9). In addition, this novel also narrates on the raids that have been ongoing throughout this period to quote: “Ayon sa kwento, pinasok ng mga sundalo ang bahay ng mga magulang ni Roy sa kalaliman ng gabi…Dumating ang mag sundalo at nagtakbuhan... Nagsipagsara ng mga pinto’t bintan...