PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

FINCALE, NEIL JUSTIN D.

BSHM 2-C
ESSAY QUIZ #1

1. How do you describe literature?

For me, I describe literature as an art and a form of expression. It is a beautiful
composition of words that paint a picture and tells the reader about a story. For
centuries, mankind has used literature as way of expressing their innermost thoughts,
ideas, emotions and experiences. Through it, we can immerse ourselves in the piece of
art that we are reading, and let our imagination take us to an unknown place. Aside
from that, literature has been used as a form of documentation, preserving events,
memories and culture. Much of our cultural heritage would’ve been lost if not for
literature, no matter how primitive it was at that time. It plays a large part in the
development of today’s society and academe. All in all, I can describe literature as
humankind’s form of expression.
2. Give at least three (3) reasons, why literature is important in our lives.
The three reasons why literature is important in our lives are the following:
First, literature is important because it is our way of expression. It allows us to
express our innermost desires, feelings, thoughts, ideas and our hopes.
Second, literature is important because it is a purveyor of knowledge. It holds
numerous lessons and experiences imbued in each story. It also helps us to
improve our usage of language.
Third, literature is important because it preserves and promotes culture.
Through literature, records of cultural events and practices have been recorded
which allows the present generation to continue these practices. It also gives us
cultural awareness.
3. Select only five (5) in essential and significance of literature and explain.
Literature does not yield much unless we bring something of ourselves to it.
Based on my own understanding, this means that literature will not have much
importance if we do not take time to read it and understand its contents.
Literature is just there but it is up to humans to interpret their meaning and
importance.
Literature in its broadest sense, is everything that has ever been written. This
means that speaking generally, all things in the written form are classified as
literature. The only difference is that literature is dived into different genres and
types.
Literature illuminates life. For those who are suffering from a hard life or difficult
circumstance, literature can serve as their reprieve from them all. It can help
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them express themselves as well as escape from the darkness that they are
drowning in. Literature can also provide people with inspiration that’s why it can
illuminate life.
Literature is one of the seven arts. In Greek Mythology, we have the seven arts
of the seven muses under the goddess Clio. Literature is considered an art
because the complex act of stringing words together to create a beautiful
composition is worthy of such title.
The best way to understand human nature fully and to know a nation completely
is to study literature (Garcia, 1993). For me, this means that studying literature is
the best way to gain understanding on both the nation and human nature
because literature is essentially the story of man; mankind is what makes up a
nation.