THESIS ABSTRACT

Title: Social protest as shown in selected contemporary Filipino Novels in Pilipino and English

Author: Venancio L. Mendiola

Type of Document: Thesis

Type of Publication: Unpublished

Accrediting Institution: Saint Louis University

Bonifacio Street, Baguio City
CHED-CAR

Abstract:

CONTEMPORARY FILIPINO NOVELS IN PILIPINO AND ENGLISH*

With the sweeping changes occurring in contemporary times all over the world in general
and the Philippines in particular, this study is relevant to find out how the Filipino novelists in
Tagalog and English react to milleu as shown in their literary output.

The normative-descriptive survey and the documentary analysis technique were used in
the investigation. Ten Filipino novels were analyzed and discussed in the thesis: Aguilar’s
Pinalahuan (1907), Abadilla and Kapulong’s Pagkamulat ni Magdalena (1958), Reyes’ Sa Mga
Kuko ng Liwanag (1966), Hernendez’s Mga Ibong Mandaragit (1969), Carunungan’s Satanas sa
Lupa (1971), Laya’s His Native Soil (1941), Gonzales’ A Season of Grace (1954), Jose’s The
Pretenders (1962), Santos’ The Volcano (1965) and Tiempo’s To Be Free (1972). They were
singled out for their potency, seriousness of purpose, social relevance and literary artistry.

The findings showed that the Filipino novels have generally been written to reflect the
conditions obtaining in society and the government in order to effect changes and seek reforms
in them. The Tagalog novelists, unlike their counterparts in English who are more objective and
detached, recognize and embrace the social ideals openly and in so doing intrude more
noticeably and oftenly in the development of the plot. The Filipino novelists in English are
conscious of craft and prove less purposive. The quality of fiction (novel) writing has constantly
improve in contemporary Philippine literature, particularly in English, as far as control and
sensitivity of medium is concerned, use of symbols and realism but have yet to develop depth in
character delineation, universality of theme and philosophical outlook. Both novelists in Pilipino
and English handle sex with restraint. Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag appears to be the best
constructed of the Tagalog novels, besides its evocative power to draw pathos and compassion
while To Be Free proves a stylistic work of art in its use of contra-puntal entangling of plot.
 In the light of the data gathered in this study the following recommendations are humbly
stated:
1. The novels delved into in the thesis be made master list of recommended
readings in literature, sociology and the humanities.
2. Our novelist would do well to give their works broader vision, deeper insights
and universality by continuously keeping abreast with literary trends and
exposing themselves to masterpieces of world literature.
3. More incentives should be given to fiction writers both in Filipino and
English.
4. In order to contribute to the growth of our national literature, encourage the
development of writing, and increase understanding and appreciation of
works, more literary criticisms should be written by critics, editors and similar
studies done by graduate students.