PAZ LATORENA (19 January 1908 – 19 October VALUES OF LITERATURE

1953) ➔​ ARTISTRY / ARTISTIC VALUE – CREATIVITY

●​ Born in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines in 1907, (aesthetically satisfying)
Paz Latorena was one of the accomplished ◆​ a. “artistic form” – appeals to the
female writers in English during the pre-war sense of beauty
era. ◆​ Art for art’s sake
●​ She spent her first three years of college at ◆​ Topic, subject matter – “what” of
the University of the Philippines but literature
transferred her senior year to the University of ◆​ Craftsmanship – “how” of literature
Santo Tomas (UST) where she completed an ◆​ Form – “how” of a work
education degree in 1930. ◆​ Creative manner of the organization
●​ She continued her graduate studies thereafter,
and was subsequently invited to teach at UST ➔​ INTELLECTUAL VALUE
upon completion of a doctoral dissertation that ◆​ Intellectually stimulating
received high honors. ➔​ EMOTIONAL VALUE
●​ Before her recognition as a short story writer, ◆​ Emotionally captivating
she had a writing stint at Philippines Herald ➔​ MORAL/ETHICAL/SPIRITUAL VALUE
upon the invitation of her mentor, Paz Marquez ◆​ spiritually/morally uplifting
Benitez.
●​ She became a popular short story writer It remained for Ruskin, however, to make the
whose works steadily gained recognition over distinction between literary taste and literary criticism
the years. with which it is continuously confounded.
●​ In 2000, UST published her only collection of
short fiction, Desire and Other Stories. This He said that literary criticism is a formal action of the
publication came 47 years after she died. intellect, a deliberate search for perfections and
●​ Her most popular story “A Small Key” was imperfections by the application of universally
deemed third best by a renowned poet and accepted standards to a literary composition; on the
critic Jose Garcia Villa in his famous rankings. other hand, taste is the instant, almost instinctive
preferring of one literature to another, apparently for
LITERARY TASTE no other reason except that the first is more proper to
●​ Certainly Addison, in one of his essays human nature.
published in the Spectator, defined literary
taste as the discernment and appreciation of To have literary taste, therefore, from the foregoing
that which is fundamentally excellent in definition and distinctions, is to have a feeling and an
literature. inclination for what is fine and beautiful in literature,
●​ In another essay, he defined it as a faculty to savor and to appreciate it, and to dislike and reject
which discerns the beauties of literature with what is vulgar and tawdry in it.
pleasure and its imperfections with dislike.
●​ These two definitions, according to Coleridge, INTELLECTUAL VALUE OF LITERATURE
make of literary taste a rational activity but ●​ By intellectual value we mean something in a
with a distinctively subjective bias. literary composition which makes the reader
●​ It remained for Ruskin, however to make the think to some purpose so that his mental life is
distinction, between literary taste and literary enriched and enlarged as a result.
criticism with which it is being continuously ●​ Appealing through the physical or the mind’s
confounded. eye to the mind itself and setting up a train of
●​ He said that literary criticism is a formal action ideas, consider intellectual content important.
of the intellect, a deliberate search for ●​ Titillating, scintillating – the quality that
perfections and imperfections by the appeals to the human mind and enlarges it.
application of universally accepted standards ●​ From literature sans intellectual value, and
to a literary composition; on the other hand, therefore not literature at all, from literature
taste is the instant, almost instinctive that contains half-truths and falsified human
preferring of one literature to another, values, from literature that leaves the reader
apparently for no other reason except that the unsatisfied, good taste should be trained to
first is more proper to human nature. shrink from.
●​ To have literary taste, therefore, from the
foregoing definition and distinctions, is to have EMOTIONAL VALUE OF LITERATURE
a feeling and an inclination for what is fine and ●​ The emotional value of literature is as
beautiful in literature, to savor and to significant as its intellectual value.
appreciate it, and to dislike and reject what is ●​ An appeal to the emotions is the distinguishing
vulgar and tawdry in it. mark of any literature worth its name.
●​ “Feeling individuals.”
 ○​ Emotional Power Example: The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan
■​ A feeling person. Poe
■​ Gauges dumbfounded,
stunned. “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I
○​ Empathy best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed
■​ Identification of feeling revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul,
■​ “Greek drama.” will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a
■​ Awe threat. At length I would be avenged; this was a point
○​ Catharsis definitely, settled --but the very definitiveness with
■​ Purgation of emotions pity and which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I
fear (catharsis). must not only punish but punish with impunity. A
■​ Example: Oedipus. wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its
■​ Modern examples: My Mister – redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger
Io and Misaeng. fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done
■​ The statement that literature the wrong. It must be understood that neither by word
should appeal to the noble and nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my
higher emotions invariably good will. I continued, as was my in to smile in his
brings forth the question of face, and he did not perceive that my to smile now
what the noble and higher was at the thought of his immolation.” And good taste
emotions are. is not only a barrier but a means of devulgarization; a
■​ The answer: they are those taste that is attuned to the fine and beautiful, a taste
emotions and feelings and out of sympathy with the false and the ignoble, a taste
attitudes which are ours that would be one of the instruments for richer living.
because we are human beings SENSE OF DISCERNMENT
and not animals, those
emotions which control our BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION: GREAT WORKS
conduct as moral beings, those (What consists of great works?)
emotions that move us to right
and happy living. Unit I: Canonical Works
■​ And those are the emotions ●​ First group of works that are considered great
which a good literary taste based on intellectual and academic tradition.
instinctively looks for in ●​ “Canon” as deemed and chosen by scholars,
literature and without which intellectuals, professors, critics, literatis,
literature would have very little genius, academicians (Eurocentric).
account for its being. ●​ WESTERN (European and American
intellectuals).
MORAL / ETHICAL / SPIRITUAL VALUE OF ●​ “Classic.” – Charles Sainte-Beuve.
LITERATURE
●​ This has more frequently been a storm center WHAT IS A CLASSIC?
than either of the other content values. Charles Sainte-Beuve: Copy from the essay three
●​ Morality of Expression (Form) definitions of “classic” (literary work).
○​ “How” – the “form.” ●​ 0-500 BC – Classical Age / Age of Antiquity.
●​ Morality of Theme (Content) ●​ 500 BC - 1200 AD – Middle Age.
○​ “What” – content. ●​ 1300 to 1500 – Renaissance.
○​ Great writers have presented vice as ●​ He was born in Boulogne, educated there, and
attractive but they have also presented studied medicine at the College Charlemaine in
the ashes into which that Paris (1824-27).
attractiveness turns, if we yield to its ●​ In 1828, he served in the St Louis Hospital.
lure. ●​ Beginning in 1824, he contributed literary
○​ Creative writing, emanating from and articles, the Premier lundis of his collected
dealing with man’s experience, must Works, to the Globe newspaper, and, in 1827,
have some reference to his conduct. he came, through a review of Victor Hugo’s
○​ And since we are men and not Odes and Ballads into close association with
animals, since we are moral beings Hugo and the Cenacle, the literary circle that
with a conscience, good literary taste strove to define the ideas of the rising
demands that in all literature there Romanticism and struggle against classical
should be found a positive influence formalism.
that will bring us higher values, both ●​ Sainte-Beuve became friendly with Hugo after
as individuals and as members of a publishing a favourable review of the author's
social order. work but later had an affair with Hugo's wife,
 which, naturally enough, led to their factor on whether or not it will be
estrangement. remembered.
●​ Curiously, when Sainte-Beuve was made a
member of the French Academy in 1845, the True Classic (author)
ceremonial duty of giving the reception speech ●​ Enriches the human mind, increases its
fell upon Hugo. treasure, and causes it to advance a step.
●​ Discovers some moral and not equivocal truth.
DEFINITIONS OF A CLASSIC ●​ Reveals some eternal passion in the heart
●​ According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a ●​ Expresses thought, observation, or invention
classic is something that is “traditional but in broad and great, refined, sensible, sane,
enduring,” “timeless and timely.” and beautiful form.
●​ On the other hand, the word Classics has been ●​ Speaks in a peculiar style which is also that of
used from the time of the Romans until today the whole world.
to describe the works in art, philosophy, and ●​ Style is new without neologism, new and old,
literature of the people of antiquity, or the easily contemporary with all time.
ancient Greeks.
●​ The Romans only had the ancient Greeks to MODERN LITERATURE AND CLASSIC STATUS
look to for examples and they tried to imitate Question: Will Modern Literature ever be Classic?
their style in all of their artistic endeavors. ●​ When thinking about what makes literature
classic, it is common to reflect upon the works
Classic (adjective): traditional but enduring. of literature that are popular today.
Classics (noun): Greek literature – Homer, ●​ When looking at the literature of today the
Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, main thing that must be considered is if the
Sappho. work makes the reader think.
Classical (adjective): order, harmony, restraint. ●​ If the author can manage to do that, and use
themes that are enduring, they will be able to
●​ Since the time of the ancient Greeks and have their writing numbered among that of the
Romans their architecture, art, and literature great writers of the past.
have been lauded as works of greatness and ●​ Although there are some gems of literary
have been emulated the world over. genius among dirty pebbles of forgettable
●​ Because the works of the greats have been writing, it is likely that much of the popular
imitated throughout modern art and literature of today will not be remembered or
architecture and are still regarded as the best, mentioned in the literature classes of
they are remembered. tomorrow.
●​ The same can be said for classic literature. ●​ The probable reason for this is that many of
●​ After the fall of the Roman Empire, the works these works of literature do not follow either
of antiquity became an important part of the the traditional definition of literature or the
style of the Renaissance, particularly the opinion of Sainte-Beuve.
Italian Renaissance. ●​ There are only a select few that will ever truly
be remembered in generations to come.
SAINTE-BEUVE’S CONTRIBUTION
●​ Revolutionized the way that literary critics look CHARACTERISTICS OF A CLASSIC
at literature by not only judging if a work of 1.​ Timeless and timely.
literature was good or bad, but by judging it 2.​ Authoritative and enduring.
by looking at it through historical, ethical, and 3.​ Forever relevant.
philosophical viewpoints.
●​ He wanted to make readers of literature think Example: Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
for themselves rather than follow the opinions ●​ May not yet be considered classic literature,
of the masters/masses. His opinion on the and may not hold up to the standards that
definition of a classic is no different. scholars put on classic literature.
●​ Will be remembered for the effect it had on
His Definition of a Classic thousands of young readers.
●​ “A classic, according to the usual definition, is ●​ Many reference the Harry Potter series when
an old author canonized by admiration, and an they talk about the work of literature that
authority in his particular style.” incited their love for reading.
●​ But not all old works have become classics or ●​ Thousands of children, adults now, attribute
even been remembered. their love of literature to the story.
●​ According to Sainte-Beuve, there has to be ●​ Harry Potter will likely become numbered
something else, something significant about a among classic literature because of the grand
work of literature that is the determining effect that it had on children.
 LITERARY AWARDS ALFRED NOBEL
●​ Born on October 21, 1833, in Stockholm,
Definition Sweden.
●​ A literary award is an award presented in ●​ Worked at his father's arms factory as a young
recognition of a particularly lauded literary man.
piece or body of work. ●​ Intellectually curious, he went on to
●​ It is normally presented to an author. experiment with chemistry and explosives.
●​ In 1864, a deadly explosion killed his younger
Most notable awards brother. Deeply affected, Nobel developed a
●​ International: Nobel Prize in Literature, safer explosive: dynamite.
Pulitzer Prize, Man Booker. ●​ Nobel used his vast fortune to establish the
●​ Local: Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Nobel Prizes, which has come to be known for
Literature, National Artist Award, USTETIKA / awarding the greatest achievements
any school’s literary contest, Magazine Literary throughout the world.
Contest, Foundation’s Literary Contest. ●​ He died of a stroke in 1896.

WHY THE NEED FOR LITERARY RECOGNITION? Alfred Bernhard Nobel – “The merchant of death is
●​ It’s not the prize money or the marketability or dead.”
the prestige or the public appearances; it’s the
validation of your work. Maria Ressa of Rappler, Recipient of the Nobel Peace
●​ George Orwell said: “Writing a book is a Prize
horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout ●​ TLA – WATCH THE VIDEO. WRITE A RESPONSE
of some painful illness. One would never two-paragraphs in length.
undertake such a thing if one were not driven ●​ Upload this message in the YouTube account of
on by some demon whom one can neither Rappler.
resist nor understand.” ●​ Take a screenshot of this uploaded response.
●​ A new writer must face this demon and fight Submit the screenshot.
against self-doubt, insecurity and lack of ●​ Submit also a [Link] copy of the same
confidence. response in the Google Drive folder—the link
●​ Having your work assessed by independent of which is to be sent in the BB
judges and considered worthy makes this announcement. Deadline of Submission: 5 pm
struggle more bearable. February 28.
●​ Matt Cox: “These bits of recognition are a fillip
(a motivation), and make you think that you PULITZER PRIZE
might just succeed as a writer.” ●​ Established in 1917, the Pulitzer is a series of
prizes that are awarded each year.
NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE ●​ Some of the categories are American online
●​ Nobel Prize / Nobel Peace Prize 2021 (Maria journalism, literature, newspaper, drama,
Ressa): Any of six international prizes awarded poetry, photography and musical composition.
annually for outstanding work in physics, ●​ According to Columbia University, the correct
chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, pronunciation is “pull it sir.”
economics (since 1969), and the promotion of
peace. The Pulitzer Prize is named after the Jewish,
●​ The Nobel Prizes, first awarded in 1901, were Hungarian-born, American newspaper publisher
established by the will of Alfred Nobel and are Joseph Pulitzer.
traditionally awarded on December 10, the
anniversary of his death. The awards are In the late 1800s, Pulitzer was the prominent face of
decided by boards of deputies appointed by journalism as we know it today. He was a skillful
Swedish learned societies and, in the case of newspaper publisher and a most avid crusader against
the peace prize, by the Norwegian Parliament. public and private corruption, which was in abundance.
●​ The Nobel Prize for Literature is awarded, Both his New York World and St. Louis Post-Dispatch
according to the will of Swedish inventor and newspapers were inventive and helped to reshape
industrialist Alfred Bernhard Nobel, “to those newspaper journalism by including sensationalized
who, during the preceding year, shall have features, illustrations, and staged news.
conferred the greatest benefit on mankind” in
the field of literature. If you want to become a journalist, it seemed to
●​ It is conferred by the Swedish Academy in Joseph Pulitzer that you owe your ability to attend
Stockholm. journalism school. Pulitzer was the first to call for
●​ Search Committee The recipient of Nobel Prize university level education and training of would-be
in Literature is also called Nobel Laureate. journalists.
Pulitzer Prize ●​ Teleplay in 1990
●​ In 1904, seven years before his death, Pulitzer ●​ Screenplay in 1994
drew up a will that made provisions for the ●​ In 1997, three new divisions were opened:
establishment and endowment of the Pulitzer Iloko, Cebuano and Hiligaynon Short Story
Prize. Kabataan (Youth) Essay for high school
●​ A whopping $2,000,000 was given to Columbia students was opened in 1998
University in New York to establish a school of ●​ In 2000, a new category was added: Future
journalism and for awarded prizes. Fiction
●​ This series of awards was created as an
inducement for American journalists and Carlos Palanca Sr.
writers to achieve excellence. ●​ One of the most prominent Filipino-Chinese or
Tsinoy businessmen and philanthropists during
He originally specified the following awards for the the American era.
following categories: ●​ Chinese name: Tan Quin Lay, immigrated to
●​ Journalism the Philippines in 1884.
●​ Letters (awards for an American novel, book, ●​ Apprentice at a relative's hardware business
play, biography; American history, and an for six years, until he opened his own store in
American history of public service by the 1890.
press) ●​ During the American era, diversified into
●​ Education textile trading until 1902, when he started a
●​ Traveling scholarship small distillery named La Tondeña.
●​ The distillery merged with the Song Fo
CARLOS PALANCA MEMORIAL AWARDS FOR Company until 1913.
LITERATURE ●​ With business acumen, made company one of
●​ The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for top liquor suppliers. His heirs established the
Literature (Palanca Awards) was established in Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature
1950 to commemorate the memory of Don in 1950.
Carlos Palanca, Sr. through an endeavor that ●​ The Palanca Awards have been a continuing
would promote education and culture in the touchstone in Philippine literature, with most
country. of the great writers having ended up on their
●​ The Palanca Awards aims to develop Philippine illustrious roster.
Literature in the following manner:
○​ By providing incentives for writers to NATIONAL ARTIST AWARD FOR LITERATURE
craft their most outstanding literary
works. Pambansang Alagad ng Sining para sa Panitikan
○​ By being a treasury of the Philippine’s ●​ The Order of the National Artists Award (Orden
literary gems from our gifted writers. ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is
○​ To assist in their eventual the highest national recognition given to
dissemination to our people, Filipino individuals who have made significant
particularly students. contributions to the development of Philippine
arts:
Named after businessman and philanthropist Don ○​ Music
Carlos Palanca Sr., the Palanca Awards continuously ○​ Dance
seeks to cultivate Philippine Literature by providing ○​ Theater
incentives for writers and serving as a treasury of ○​ Visual Arts
these literary gems. ○​ Literature
○​ Film and Broadcast
It is considered the gold standard in writing ○​ Arts Architecture and Allied Arts
excellence, highly-coveted by Filipino writers, young ●​ The order is jointly administered by the
and old alike. National Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines
The awards started with the Short Story category in (CCP) and conferred by the President of the
English and Filipino (Tagalog). Through the years, as Philippines upon recommendation by both
the awards elicited overwhelming response, new institutions.
categories were added: ●​ The Order of National Artists Award is one of
●​ One-Act Play in 1953 the Honors conferred by the Republic of the
●​ Poetry in 1963 Philippines that embodies the nation’s highest
●​ Full-Length Play in 1975 ideals in the humanities and aesthetic
●​ Essay in 1979 expression through the distinct achievements
●​ Novel in 1980 of individual citizens.
●​ Short Story for Children in 1989
 ●​ While the Republic bestows due recognition to
these singular achievements, it in turns honors
its own cultural heritage, whose enrichment
these achievements have significantly effected,
enhanced, and given direction.

If you’re given the title of National Artist:

●​ You can consider yourself one of the best.
●​ It means you have given significant
contributions to the development of Philippine
arts and letters.
Honors and privileges:
●​ Rank and title of National Artist, as proclaimed
by the President of the Philippines.
●​ Insignia of a National Artist and a citation.
●​ Cash awards, monthly life pension, medical
and hospitalization benefits, life insurance
coverage, state funeral and burial at the
Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery),
and a place of honor at national state functions
along with recognition at cultural events.

THOMASIAN LITERARY GIANTS AND NATIONAL

ARTISTS
1.​ Bienvenido Lumbera
2.​ Francisco Sionil Jose
3.​ Cirilo Bautista Nicomedes Joaquin