Philippine Literature

1
Philippine Literature Symbols And Personification

Philippine Literature Symbols

There is a song that begins, “parents are people, people with children.” What
do these lyrics suggest to you?
This lesson uses the poem “Shadows” to explain symbol as a literary element.
Read the poem then share in the reaction of the speaker has to their mothers.
Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Differentiate image from symbol;
2. identify symbols used in a poem;
3. Use symbols in writing a poem; and
4. Connect your experiences.

Symbol
A symbol is any object, person, place, or experience that represents
something else, usually something abstract. For example, a cross is a symbol
of faith, a knife symbolizes danger, a flower symbolizes a lady etc.

Symbolism
Symbolism is when the poet uses an object or reference to add deeper
meaning to his poem. In a poem, symbolism can be implied or obvious; it can
be used moderately or extensively.
A poet may use the same object repeatedly to emphasize a meaning or to
create an overwhelming mood or feeling. Symbolism is usually used to
support a literary theme in a suggestive manner.
The following are common symbols used in literary works:
(Rachel Mork)
Symbols referring to damnation: dungeon, dark pit, fire, flames, boiling water
Symbols referring to salvation: Clear blue sky, cottony clouds, crosses, angels,
clouds, churches
Symbols referring to reincarnation or reinvention: spring, budding flowers,
dawn, sunrise, broken chains
Symbols referring to death or endings: broken glass, stepping on a cigarette
butt, skulls, c andle blowing out, ringing of bell
Symbols referring to success: mountain summit, gold, hat with feather, crown

Course Module
Symbols referring to culture:
American culture – Bald Eagle
Filipino culture – Juan dela Cruz
Chinese culture – dragon
Japanese culture – cherry blossoms
Nets and bancas – fishermen
Plow and carabao – farming/farmer
Pen and paper – writer
Poets insert symbols into their writing to connect to a feeling, mood or
attitude without directly stating the mood intended for the reader.
Symbolism is supplemental to the story. Symbolism is very important for the
poet to include in his poem to help the readers evaluate the “messages” he
considers for his literary work. Symbols concretize the abstract ideas in the
poem.
***Open the link below and read to answer the activity.
“Shadows by Gerson Mallillin”
http://www.geocities.ws/joepep_23/jshadows.html

References
Alcantara, R. (2000). World literature: An adventure in human
experience.(QuezonCity: Katha Publishing Co. Inc.
Bascara, L. R. (2003). World Literature: A tertiary textbook for literature
under the new curriculum. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Castillo, T.T and Medina B.S. (1974). Philippine literature from ancient to
present. Quezon City : Philippine Graphic Arts Inc.
CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts. Panitikan Series.
Chin, B. (2002). Glencoe Literature: the reader’s choice. New
York:Glencoe/MacGrawhill.
Croghan, R.V.S.J. (1997). The development of Philippine literature in English.
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House Inc.
Elements of an essay. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from
www.blugrass./ccts.edu/L/ElementsandStructure
Gordon, J.B.(1999).Fiction:an introduction to the short story.Illinois:NTC
Contemporary Publishing Group.
Guiyab, R.G.(2005). Philippine literature: beyond forgetting. Makati City:
Grandwater Publication.
Important elements in essay format.Retrieved May 1, 2010 from
customessayblog.com/essay-writing/essay-format..
Kahayon, A.H. (2000). Philippine literature: Through the years. Mandaluyong
City: National Bookstore.
 Philippine Literature
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Philippine Literature Symbols And Personification

Lacia, F.C.(2003).the literatures of the Philippines. Manila:Rex Bookstore.

Lombardi, E. Literature. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from classiclit.about.com
Lumbera, B. and Lumbera, C. (1982).Philippine literature: A story and
anthology. Manila: National Bookstore.
Merchand, M.Elements of the short story. Retrieved May 8, 2010 from
www.lessonplanpage.com.
Myers-Shaffer.C.(2000). The principles of literature: A guide for readers and
writers. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
Marquez, S.T. (2009). Developmental Reading: Reading 2. Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing.
Oak, M. Importance of literature. Retrieved July 30, 2010 from
www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html.
Patron, I.(2002).Interactive reading – responding and writing about
Philippine literature.QuezonCity: Great Books Trading.
Roseburg, A.G. (1966) Pathways to Philippine literature in English. Quezon
City: Alemars-Phoenix Publishing House.
Sicat, T.M. and Rivera, N.V. eds (2004).Affirming the Filipino:A anthology of
Philippine literature. Quezon City: U.P. Department of
English and Comparative Literature.
Tan, A.B.(2001).Introduction to literature. 4th ed. Mandaluyong City:
Academic Publishing Corporation.
Today in literature. Retrieved June 10, 2010 from
http://www.todayinliterature.com
Villarin, A.S. (2008).Developmental reading.Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing.
Vinuya, R. V. (2005).College reading and writing:textbook and workbook
rev.ed. Makati City: Grandwater Publication.

Course Module
 Personification
Read to discover what the author has to say about the importance of love and
companionship in life. This lesson shows how personification as a literary
element makes a poem easy to understand.
Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Evaluate the poem based on its basic elements; and
2. Use personification in a poem.

Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which an animal, object or idea is
given human qualities or characteristics. It is a technique of giving a non-
human thing human qualities such as hearing, feeling, talking, or making
decisions.
Writers use personification to emphasize something or make it stand out.
Personification makes the material more interesting and creates a new way
to look at every day things. In other words, whenever emotions, desires,
sensations, physical gestures and speech are stated in context of non-living
things, personification has taken place.
The human traits make the non-living things alive which enable the poet to
clarify the message he wants to tell us. This technique is very prominent in
poetry, where things are described as human beings.
Personification if used appropriately, it is the key to a clear understanding of
a poem. In this example “towering height of the tree”, “towering” is a human
trait. It may create a feeling of supremacy, but look what happens when
personification is used more appropriately:
The towering tree crashed the ground with anger
As it chokes the vicinity in madness
Now, the emotion is stronger, pronounced, prominent or clear. The action
catches the attention of the reader because the words used to describe the
tree “anger” “choke” “madness” are human qualities that intensify emotions.
Below are some examples of personification:
• And like the flowers beside them chill and shiver, Will like the flowers
beside them soon be gone - Robert Frost
• The road isn't built that can make it breathe hard! - slogan for
Chevrolet automobiles.
• My computer hates me.
• The camera loves me.
• Wind yells while blowing.
• Opportunity knocks but once.
• The sun smiles at me this morning.
• Time never waits for anyone.
• Birds sing a tune.
• The television talks to Kim.
 Philippine Literature
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Philippine Literature Symbols And Personification

• The newspaper headline shouts for attention.

• Flowers crying for me.
***Open the link below and read to answer the activity.
“Ink by Guillermo Castillo”
http://maeces.blogspot.com/2013/09/iv-composition-in-
literature.html

References
Alcantara, R. (2000). World literature: An adventure in human
experience.(QuezonCity: Katha Publishing Co. Inc.
Bascara, L. R. (2003). World Literature: A tertiary textbook for literature
under the new curriculum. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Castillo, T.T and Medina B.S. (1974). Philippine literature from ancient to
present. Quezon City : Philippine Graphic Arts Inc.
CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts. Panitikan Series.
Chin, B. (2002). Glencoe Literature: the reader’s choice. New
York:Glencoe/MacGrawhill.
Croghan, R.V.S.J. (1997). The development of Philippine literature in English.
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House Inc.
Elements of an essay. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from
www.blugrass./ccts.edu/L/ElementsandStructure
Gordon, J.B.(1999).Fiction:an introduction to the short story.Illinois:NTC
Contemporary Publishing Group.
Guiyab, R.G.(2005). Philippine literature: beyond forgetting. Makati City:
Grandwater Publication.
Important elements in essay format. Retrieved May 1, 2010 from
customessayblog.com/essay-writing/essay-format..
Kahayon, A.H. (2000). Philippine literature: Through the years. Mandaluyong
City: National Bookstore.
Lacia, F.C.(2003).the literatures of the Philippines. Manila:Rex Bookstore.
Lombardi, E. Literature. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from classiclit.about.com
Lumbera, B. and Lumbera, C. (1982).Philippine literature: A story and
anthology. Manila: National Bookstore.
Merchand, M.Elements of the short story. Retrieved May 8, 2010 from
www.lessonplanpage.com.
Myers-Shaffer.C.(2000). The principles of literature: A guide for readers and
writers. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.

Course Module
Marquez, S.T. (2009). Developmental Reading: Reading 2. Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing.
Oak, M. Importance of literature. Retrieved July 30, 2010 from
www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-literature.html.
Patron, I.(2002).Interactive reading – responding and writing about
Philippine literature.QuezonCity: Great Books Trading.
Roseburg, A.G. (1966) Pathways to Philippine literature in English. Quezon
City: Alemars-Phoenix Publishing House.
Sicat, T.M. and Rivera, N.V. eds (2004).Affirming the Filipino:A anthology of
Philippine literature. Quezon City: U.P. Department of
English and Comparative Literature.
Tan, A.B.(2001).Introduction to literature. 4th ed. Mandaluyong City:
Academic Publishing Corporation.
Today in literature. Retrieved June 10, 2010 from
http://www.todayinliterature.com
Villarin, A.S. (2008).Developmental reading.Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing.
Vinuya, R. V. (2005).College reading and writing:textbook and workbook
rev.ed. Makati City: Grandwater Publication.