Legacy of the American Period on Philippine Literature
The American Period (1898–1946) left a profound and enduring impact on Philippine literature.
1. Introduction of English as a Literary Medium
The American colonizers introduced English as the primary medium of instruction
in schools, marking a shift in how Filipinos expressed their thoughts and ideas.
For the first time, Filipino writers engaged in literary production using a foreign
language, which allowed them to explore and adopt Western literary techniques.
English served as a bridge for Filipino writers to connect with international literary
movements and audiences.
Key Impact:
English became a unifying language for literary expression across diverse
Philippine regions.
The use of English paved the way for Filipino writers to gain recognition both locally
and internationally.
2. Development of Philippine Literature in English
The American education system provided a platform for Filipinos to write in
English, producing the first short stories, novels, essays, and poems in the
language.
Notable milestones include:
o Dead Stars (1925) by Paz Marquez Benitez, considered the first modern
short story in English.
o A Child of Sorrow (1921) by Zoilo Galang, the first Filipino novel written in
English.
o The modernist poetry of Jose Garcia Villa, whose experimental techniques
influenced future writers.
Key Impact:
Writers created a new tradition of Philippine literature in English.
Early works in English served as a foundation for future generations of Filipino
authors.
3. Introduction of New Literary Forms
The American influence popularized Western literary forms, including:
o Short Stories: Became the most popular prose form due to its adaptability
for magazines and newspapers.
o Essays: Encouraged intellectual discourse on social, political, and personal
topics.
o Modern Poetry: Introduced free verse, imagism, and symbolism inspired by
American and European poets like Walt Whitman and T.S. Eliot.
Key Impact:
These forms enabled Filipino writers to innovate and express Filipino themes in a
modern way.
The short story emerged as the dominant form of prose during this period.
4. Themes Reflecting Colonial Influence and National Identity
Filipino writers grappled with the conflict between colonial influence and
national identity.
Common themes included nationalism, freedom, social justice, and the effects
of colonial rule on Filipino culture.
While some works subtly critiqued colonial policies, others celebrated Filipino
traditions and identity.
Key Impact:
Literature became a tool for reclaiming Filipino identity and asserting
independence in the face of colonization.
Writers blended Western influences with local realities, creating a distinct Filipino
voice.
5. The Role of Journalism in Literature
The rise of journalism during the American period gave writers a platform to
publish literary works and advocate for reforms.
Newspapers and magazines flourished, publishing essays, poems, and short stories
that reflected societal issues.
Notable journalists and essayists, such as Jorge Bocobo and Claro M. Recto,
tackled nationalism and the fight for independence.
Key Impact:
Journalism bridged the gap between literature and activism, encouraging writers to
engage with political and social issues.
It also nurtured a culture of intellectualism and public discourse.
6. Seditious Plays and Drama
Filipino playwrights used seditious plays to express resistance against American
colonization.
These plays, often performed secretly, used allegory to critique colonial rule and
inspire Filipino nationalism.
Example: Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas by Aurelio Tolentino.
Key Impact:
Drama became a medium for political resistance and a platform for fostering
patriotic sentiment.
Despite censorship, these plays rallied Filipinos toward the cause of independence.
7. Modernism and Literary Experimentation
The American literary influence introduced modernism, emphasizing
experimentation, individualism, and freedom of expression.
Writers like Jose Garcia Villa adopted modernist styles, producing highly
experimental works that gained international recognition.
Free verse and other modernist techniques allowed for more creative freedom in
poetry.
Key Impact:
Modernism diversified Philippine literature, opening up new possibilities for form
and content.
Filipino writers found innovative ways to express their ideas, blending modern
styles with Filipino themes.
8. The Rise of Filipino Writers
The American period nurtured a new generation of Filipino writers who excelled in
English.
Prominent writers include:
o Paz Marquez Benitez, a pioneer of the modern short story.
o Zoilo Galang, author of the first Philippine novel in English.
o Jose Garcia Villa, a poet and National Artist known for his groundbreaking
modernist poetry.
Key Impact:
These writers paved the way for the evolution of Philippine literature in English.
Their works continue to inspire and influence contemporary Filipino literature.
9. Lasting Legacy
The American period left an enduring mark on Philippine literature, introducing
English as a dominant medium and modern literary forms.
While this period brought significant Western influence, Filipino writers were able to
integrate these influences into their own cultural context.
The legacy of this period is evident in the richness and diversity of Philippine
literature today.
Multiple Choice (10 items)
1. When did the American Period in the
Philippines officially begin?
a. 1896
b. 1898
c. 1901
d. 1946
2. What was the primary medium of instruction
introduced by the Americans in the Philippines?
a. Filipino
b. Spanish
c. English
d. Latin
3. Which group of American educators played a
major role in establishing the Philippine public
school system?
a. Missionaries
b. The Red Cross
c. The Thomasites
d. Peace Corps
4. Who is the author of Dead Stars, considered
the first modern short story in English in the
Philippines?
a. Jose Garcia Villa
b. Nick Joaquin
c. Paz Marquez Benitez
d. Zoilo Galang
5. What was the first Philippine novel written in
English?
a. Noli Me Tangere
b. A Child of Sorrow
c. Florante at Laura
d. El Filibusterismo
6. What literary form became popular during
the American Period?
a. Epic
b. Short story
c. Awit and corrido
d. Kundiman
7. What term describes anti-colonial plays
performed clandestinely during the American
period?
a. Komedya
b. Seditious plays
c. Zarzuela
d. Senakulo
8. Who is known as the “Doveglion” poet and a
pioneer of modernist poetry in the Philippines?
a. Nick Joaquin
b. Jose Garcia Villa
c. Francisco Balagtas
d. Paz Marquez Benitez
9. Which theme was commonly explored in
Philippine literature during the American
period?
a. Religious devotion
b. Nationalism and identity
c. Pre-colonial myths
d. Family conflicts
10. What Western literary style greatly
influenced Philippine literature during the
American period?
a. Baroque
b. Modernism
c. Romanticism
d. Naturalism
True or False (5 items)
11. The polo y servicio system was
introduced during the American period.
12. Filipino writers in English emerged
during the American period due to the
establishment of public schools.
13. Jose Garcia Villa’s works were known
for imitating Spanish literary traditions.
14. The use of English as a medium of
writing was one of the legacies of the
American colonial period.
15. Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas by Aurelio
Tolentino is an example of a seditious
play.
Short Answer (5 items)
16. What was the impact of the
Thomasites on Philippine education
and literature?
17. Name two Filipino writers who
gained prominence during the
American period.
18. What themes were commonly
explored in Filipino literature during
the American period?
19. How did the introduction of
English influence the development
of Philippine literature?
20. Explain how seditious plays
reflected the resistance to American
colonization.
0Historical Background of the American
Period
Discuss how the Philippines came under
American rule in 1898 after the Spanish-
American War and the Treaty of Paris.
Explain the role of the United States in
introducing democratic ideals, public
education, and English as a colonial tool.
2. Introduction of Public Education and
English
Highlight the arrival of the Thomasites
(American teachers) in the early 1900s.
Explain how public schools were
established and English became the
medium of instruction, which greatly
influenced Filipino writers.
3. Development of Literary Forms
Introduce the short story, essay, and
poetry as new literary forms written in
English.
Mention the rise of modernist
influences brought by American literary
traditions.
4. Prominent Writers and Their Works
Introduce Paz Marquez Benitez and her
short story Dead Stars, which is
considered the first modern short story in
English by a Filipino.
Discuss Zoilo Galang and his novel A
Child of Sorrow, the first Philippine novel
written in English.
Highlight Jose Garcia Villa, his
modernist poetry, and his title as the
"Doveglion Poet."
5. Themes in Literature During the American
Period
Explain how Filipino literature reflected
themes of nationalism, identity, and
freedom under colonial rule.
Emphasize how social and political issues
became central in literary works during
this time.
6. Seditious Plays and Nationalism
Discuss the seditious plays, such as
Aurelio Tolentino’s Kahapon, Ngayon, at
Bukas, which were performed
clandestinely to resist American
colonization.
Highlight how these plays used allegory
to inspire Filipino nationalism and critique
the colonial government.
7. Influence of American Literary Styles
Explain the impact of American literary
trends, particularly modernism, on
Filipino writers.
Highlight how Filipino writers adapted
and localized Western styles to suit their
cultural context.
8. Legacy of the American Period
Discuss the long-term effects of the
American Period on Philippine literature,
particularly the foundation of Philippine
literature in English.
Explain how this period prepared Filipino
writers to engage with global literary
movements.
Multiple Choice (10 items)
1. b. 1898 – The American Period
officially began in 1898 after the Treaty
of Paris, which ended the Spanish-
American War.
2. c. English – The Americans
introduced English as the primary
medium of instruction.
3. c. The Thomasites – American
teachers known as Thomasites
established the Philippine public school
system.
4. c. Paz Marquez Benitez – She
authored Dead Stars, the first modern
short story in English in the Philippines.
5. b. A Child of Sorrow – Zoilo Galang
wrote this novel, the first in English by a
Filipino.
6. b. Short story – The short story
became a prominent literary form during
the American period.
7. b. Seditious plays – These anti-
colonial plays were secretly performed as
acts of resistance to colonization.
8. b. Jose Garcia Villa – Known as the
“Doveglion” poet, he pioneered
modernist poetry in the Philippines.
9. b. Nationalism and identity –
These themes were prominent as writers
reflected on independence and
colonialism.
10. b. Modernism – Modernist literary
styles influenced Filipino writers during
the American period.
True or False (5 items)
11. False – The polo y servicio system
was introduced during the Spanish
period, not the American period.
12. True – Public education under the
Americans paved the way for Filipino
writers in English.
13. False – Jose Garcia Villa’s works were
known for their modernist and
experimental nature, not for imitating
Spanish traditions.
14. True – English became a significant
medium of expression during and after
the American colonial period.
15. True – Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas by
Aurelio Tolentino is a notable example of
a seditious play.
Short Answer (5 items)
16. What was the impact of the
Thomasites on Philippine education
and literature?
The Thomasites established public
schools, promoted English as the medium
of instruction, and trained a generation of
Filipinos who became proficient in
English, contributing to the development
of Philippine literature in English.
17. Name two Filipino writers who
gained prominence during the
American period.
Examples include Paz Marquez Benitez
(Dead Stars) and Jose Garcia Villa
(modernist poetry).
18. What themes were commonly
explored in Filipino literature during
the American period?
Themes of nationalism, identity,
social issues, and freedom were
prevalent, reflecting the influence of
American democratic ideals and the
Filipinos’ struggles under colonial rule.
19. How did the introduction of
English influence the development
of Philippine literature?
The use of English allowed Filipino writers
to explore new literary forms like the
short story and essay, engage with global
literary trends like modernism, and
expand their audience beyond the
Philippines.
20. Explain how seditious plays
reflected the resistance to American
colonization.
Seditious plays used allegory and
symbolism to critique colonial rule and
inspire Filipino nationalism, despite being
banned by the American authorities.
