21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World Quarter 4 – Module 1: 21st Century Works and Authors from Asia 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the Word Quarter 4 – Module 1: 21st Century Literary Works and Authors from Asia First Edition, 2020 Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties. Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them. Published by the Department of Education – Region XI Development Team of the Module Writers: Sindy S. Gadia Editors: Reviewers: Divilyn M. Rodriguez Illustrator: Layout Artist: Wedzmer B. Munjilul, Melanio R. FLorino, Jr. Template Developer: Neil Edward D. Diaz Management Team: Reynaldo M. Guillena Jinky B. Firman Marilyn V. Deduyo Alma C. Cifra May Ann M. Jumuad Aris B. Juanillo Printed in the Philippines by: Davao City Division Learning Resources Management Development System (LRMDS) Department of Education – Division of Davao City Office Address: Telephone: E-mail Address: E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City (082) 227 4762 lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World Quarter 4 – Module 1: 21st Century Works and Authors from Asia Introductory Message For the facilitator: in the module. For the learner: As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different activities in the module. As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded of the following: 1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises. 2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other activities. 3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task. 4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers. 5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next. 6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done. If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it! ii Let Us Learn This module was designed and written to help provide you with a grounding in understanding and appreciating the rich and widely diverse cultural and ethnical heritage found in Asian Literature in the 21st Century. Learning Competency: • Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts, applying a reading approach, and doing an adaptation of these, require from the learner the ability to identify: representative texts and authors from Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Africa (EN12Lit-IIa22) Specifically, in this module, you will be able to: o o identify representative texts and authors from Asia; and write a close analysis of a literary work from Asian author. Let Us Try Directions: Write True if the given statement is correct. Write False if the given statement is incorrect. Write your answer on a separate paper. 1. Like the literature of other regions, Asian literature can be classified as lyric, drama or narrative and it usually reflect predominant culture and philosophies of a particular epoch. 2. Chinese literature does not include epic poems but rather stresses on everyday issues of society. 3. Ancient literature in Japan deals primarily with myths and legends. 4. Japanese literature has been influenced heavily by the Indian literature. 5. Confucius was a Chinese teacher and Philosopher in the fifth century BCE. 6. The literature of Singapore comprises a collection of literary works by Singaporeans in any of the country's four main languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. 7. One of the greatest collections of poetry, the Man'yoshu, is one of the most celebrated pieces of literature of Japan. 1 8. Japanese literature has been influenced heavily by the Chinese literature from the ancient period all the way to the Edo period (1603-1868) which corresponds to the early modern Japanese literature. 9. The Second World War heavily affected Japanese literature but soon, the distinct Japanese style of writing manages to regain its popularity. 10. Ramayana and Mahabrata are the most important epics of India. Mahabrata is about the reincarnation of the creator god Vishnu in the person of Rama, who is the hero of the epic. While Mahabrata deals with the other reincarnation of Vishnu in the person of Krishma. 11. The literature of India, China, and Japan has been the most popular among other Asian countries due to its longevity and influence over other countries. 12. The ‘White Tiger’ is the debut novel by Indian author Aravind Adiga. It was first published in 2008 and won the 40th Man Booker Prize in the same year. 13. Asian literature represents not only Asian countries’ customs and practices, but also their philosophy in life, which is intensely and overwhelmingly contemplative and haunting sweet overall. 14. Masashi Kishimoto, a Japanese manga artist personally supervised the two canonical anime films, The Last: Naruto the Movie and Boruto: Naruto the Movie. 15. Asian literature has shaped civilizations, changed political systems and exposed injustice. It gives a detailed preview of human experiences, allowing Asian people to connect on basic levels of desire and emotion. Lesson 1 Genres, Traditions, and Forms of Asian Literature in the 21st Century This topic aims to engage students in appreciation and critical study of Asian literature in the 21st Century. The rich and widely diverse cultural and ethnic heritages found in countries such as China, India, Japan, Singapore, and other neighboring countries within Asia include Asian Literature. It is essentially the products produced throughout history in continent Asia by its technical term. Classic Indian literature would reflect their predominant faith: Hinduism. While modern Indian literature, like the works of Rabindranath Tagore, would focus more on subject matters that can be related to society and national issues. Chinese literature, on the contrary, does not include epic poems but rather stresses on 2 everyday issues of society. While contemporary Japanese writing in translation has fund a wide audience in the West because much new fiction uses American literary approaches-fast, wild, low-down language, and irreverent attitude toward social institution-to make works that are still distinctly Japanese. Asian literature represents not only Asian countries’ customs and practices, but also their philosophy in life, which is intensely and overwhelmingly contemplative and haunting sweet overall. Through literature, Asian characters are hoped to have retained. It also shows their previous cultures and how they adjust to new situations in the 21st century. In this lesson, the learners are provided with opportunities to explore various cultures through a wide variety of literary genres that will help them appreciate more the beauty of Asian Literature. Let Us Study Asian literature turned out to be even richer and open to changes in the 21st century with upcoming writers from various Asian countries. Discussion 1: Singaporean Literature A collection of literary works by Singaporeans comprises the literature of Singapore. It is written mainly in the four official languages of the country: English, Malay, Mandarin Standard, and Tamil. The various literatures flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of print culture in the British colony, but after independence in 1965, English became emphasized in both the education system and society at large as part of the new government’s attempts to modernize the country. Chinese, Malay, and Tamil were seen as mother tongue languages to provide Singaporeans with cultural ballast while English was regarded as a language for administration, business, and scientific and technological development. Translation plays a key role in bridging the linguistic and literary divides wrought by the state’s mother tongue policies, with several works by Cultural Medallion winners in different languages translated into English, which remains at present the shared language in Singapore. Literary anthologies are also invaluable forms through which the concepts of a national literature and national identity are expressed and negotiated. A number of anthologies involving Singaporean authors and those from other countries also highlight the growing international presence of and interest in Singaporean literature. Several anthologies also focus on the topic of urban space, city life, and the rapid transformation of Singapore’s physical environment. Writings about gender and sexuality have also become more prominent in single-author collections or edited anthologies, with writers exploring various inventive and experimental narrative forms. A number of poets and writers are also established playwrights, and theater has historically been and continues to be an extremely vital form of creative expression and cultural production. Graphic novels, crime and noir fiction, and speculative and science fiction publications are also on the rise, with the awarding of the Singapore Literature Prize to Sonny Liew’s The Art 3 of Charlie Chan Hock Chye signaling that these genres merit serious literary consideration. A number of literary publications and materials related to Singaporean literature can be found on the Internet, such as the journal Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, the website Singapore Poetry, and the database Poetry.sg. Various nonprofit organizations are also working toward increasing public awareness about literature through events such as Singapore Poetry Writing Month, the Migrant Worker Poetry Competition, the Singapore Writers Festival and National Poetry Festival, and also through projects that exhibit poetry in train stations and on public thoroughfares. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/039050sw Discussion 2: Japanese Literature The literature of India, China, and Japan has been the most popular among other Asian countries due to its longevity and influence over other countries. Japanese literature has been influenced heavily by the Chinese literature from the ancient period all the way to the Edo period (1603-1868) which corresponds to the early modern Japanese literature. Japanese literary works also reveal elements of Indian and later of Western elements but above all, they reveal a distinct style which has also greatly influenced both Eastern and Western literatures. Japanese Literature can be divided into four periods: the ancient, classical, medieval and modern. Ancient literature in Japan deals primarily with myths and legends. Tales like the creation of Japan, wherein the islands came from the gemstones imbued in the swords of gods are very prominent during this period. The celebrated writers during this period are Ono Yasumaro, Nihon Shoki, and Man‘yoshu which wrote based on real events in the country. Modern literature can be further divided into early modern which happened during the Edo period, and modern, which starts during the Meiji period, when Japan opened its doors to the West. The early modern gave way to the rise of new genres like the Japanese drama, kabuki, the poetry form known for its simplicity and subtlety, haiku, and the yomihon, a type of Japanese book which put little emphasis on illustration. The modern period also marked the emergence of new styles of writing. Japanese writers started to romanticize and tried experimenting with different genres and subject matters. The Second World War heavily affected Japanese literature but soon, the distinct Japanese style of writing manages to regain its popularity. Some of the prominent modern Japanese writers are Yasunari Kawabata, Kobi Abe, Takiji Kobayashi, and Haruki Murakami to mention a few. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/hmrYMs on 08.07.17 Discussion 3: Indian Literature India is a vast land in Southern Asia, extending from Himalayan Mountains south to the tip of a great peninsula that reaches from out into the Indian Ocean. It is known as “Land of Prayer. The first characteristic we noticed about Indian literature is based on piety, a deeply religious spirit. Ramayana and Mahabrata are the most important epics of India. Mahabrata is about the reincarnation of the 4 creator god Vishnu in the person of Rama, who is the hero of the epic. While Mahabrata deals with the other reincarnation of Vishnu in the person of Krishma. The family is also important in Indian literature and drama. Both the Mahabharata and Ramayana — are family epics, featuring cousins, uncles and aunts “struggling and killing each other over land and dharma and then mourning inconsolably." Many American dramas feature tough individuals. When these stories are adapted to India the individuals are first given a mother, father and ideally a brother or sister. The Hindi version of Harry Potter sells for $3.60. In Kerala, books in Malayalam outsell English books 10 to 1. The earliest Indian literature took the form of the canonical Hindu sacred writings, known as the Veda, which were written in Sanskrit. To the Veda were added prose commentaries such as the Brahmanas and the Upanishads. ... From these and other related languages emerged the modern languages of northern India. The most famous works in Sanskrit are the Hindu holy texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Manusmriti. Another popular literature, Tamil literature has a rich literary tradition spanning over 2000 years, and is particularly known for its poetic nature in the form of epics, and philosophical and secular works. In the 21st century, the Indian novel has been a vibrant and energetic expressive space. While the grand postcolonial gestures characteristic of the late20th-century Indian novels have been in evidence in new novels by established authors such as Vikram Chandra, Amitav Ghosh, and Salman Rushdie, a slate of new authors has emerged in this period as well, charting a range of new novelistic modes. Engagement with globalization has permeated quite broadly into Indian fiction since the early 1990s, and several of the novels described could very well also be understood with reference to globalization as well (The White Tiger, for instance, is deeply interested in the topic). But while the theme is now commonplace, the conceptual territory entailed is not necessarily so simple. Some writers have opted to explore the impact of globalization via an aesthetic of acceleration and cultural simultaneity: everything is changing and all establishments and traditions are being overturned at the root. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/Ez57u8 on 08.07.17 The text is sometimes a snapshot of the author's life and times, and is inseparable from their lives and their experiences. Thus, certain texts are better read if you know the author's context. 5 Let Us Practice The literature of India, China, and Japan has been the most popular among other Asian countries due to its longevity and influence over other countries. Read the summary of the literary text, The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga and answer the activities that follow. About the Author: Aravind Adiga (Kannada: ಅರ#ಂದ ಅ&ಗ) Aravind Adiga is an Indian writer who won the Man Booker Prize in 2008 for his novel, The White Tiger. He was born on October 23, 1974 in Madras, India in 1974 and was partly raised in Australia. He was educated in English literature at Columbia and Oxford Universities. Adiga is a former correspondent for TIME Magazine and has contributed writing to The Financial Times, The Independent, and The Sunday Times. He published The White Tiger in 2008. The novel provides a darkly humorous perspective of India’s class struggle in a globalized world as told through a retrospective narration from Balram Halwai, a village boy. In detailing Balram’s journey first to Delhi, where he works as a chauffeur to a rich landlord, and then to Bangalore, the place to which he flees after killing his master and stealing his money, the novel examines issues of religion, caste, loyalty, corruption and poverty in India. Ultimately, Balram transcends his sweet-maker caste and becomes a successful entrepreneur, establishing his own taxi service. In a nation proudly shedding a history of poverty and underdevelopment, he represents, as he himself says, “tomorrow”. The White Tiger (Summary) The White Tiger is the story of Balram Halwai’s life as a self-declared “selfmade entrepreneur”: a rickshaw driver’s son who skillfully climbs India’s social ladder to become a chauffer and later a successful businessman. Balram recounts his life story in a letter to visiting Chinese official Premier Wen Jiabao, with the goal of educating the premier about entrepreneurship in India. Balram writes from his luxurious office in the city of Bangalore, but the story begins in his rural ancestral village of Laxmangahr. Throughout his childhood, Balram’s destitute family lives at the mercy of four cruel, exploitative landlords, referred to as “The Animals”: The Raven, The Stork, The Buffalo, and The Wild 6 Boar. Despite the difficult life he is born into, Balram excels in school. His academic potential and personal integrity distinguish him from his classmates, bringing him to the attention of a visiting school inspector who nicknames him “the White Tiger,” after the most rare and intelligent creature in the jungle. Balram’s parents recognize his potential and want him to complete his education, but his grandmother Kusum removes him from school early on so that he can work to support the family. Balram is determined to continue his education however he can. When he and his brother Kishan begin working in a teashop in nearby Dhanbad, Balram neglects his duties and spends his days listening to customers’ conversations. He overhears one customer speaking wistfully about the high earnings and easy life that India’s private chauffeurs enjoy, and begs his grandmother to send him to driving school. Kusum agrees, but Balram must promise to send home his wages once he finds a job. His training complete, Balram knocks on the doors of Dhanbad’s rich families, offering his services. By a stroke of luck, he arrives at the mansion of the Stork (one of Laxmangahr’s animal landlords) one day after the Stork’s son, Mr. Ashok, returns from America with his wife Pinky Madam . The family hires Balram to become Ashok’s driver. In reality, Balram is more of a general servant to the family, while another servant, Ram Persad, has the privilege of driving them. Balram learns that the Stork’s family fortune comes from illegally selling coal out of government mines. They bribe ministers to turn a blind eye to their fraudulent business and allow the family to avoid paying income tax. Unfortunately, the family recently had a disagreement with the region’s ruling politician, referred to as the Great Socialist. The family dispatches Ashok and Pinky to Delhi, where Ashok will distribute more bribes to make amends. When Balram learns that the couple will need a driver in Delhi, he schemes to have Ram Persad dismissed, and goes in his place. Once in Delhi, Balram witnesses Pinky and Ashok’s marriage rapidly fall apart. Pinky returns to the US and leaves her husband after she kills a young child in a drunken, hit-and-run accident. In her absence, Ashok goes out to bars and clubs, hiring a prostitute one night, and reconnecting with a former lover on another. Observing his master’s gradual corruption and driving him through Dehli’s seedier districts, Balram becomes disillusioned and resentful. Although Ashok is a relatively kind master, Balram realizes that whatever generosity Ashok has shown him is only a fraction of what he can afford. Ashok has no real interest in helping Balram achieve a better life, or in changing the status quo. Balram plans to murder Ashok and escape with the bag of the money that he carries around the city to bribe politicians. In addition to the risk of being caught, Balram must contend with the logic of “the Rooster Coop”: the system of oppression in which India’s poor, including Balram himself, are trapped. Balram knows that if he kills Ashok, Ashok’s family will murder all his own relatives in Laxmangahr in retaliation. Balram is also held back by the arrival in Delhi of his young cousin Dharam, who Kusum sends from Dhanbad with the demand that Balram help raise him. 7 Balram finally resolves to proceed with the murder, using a weapon he has fashioned out of a broken liquor bottle. One day as he drives Ashok to deliver a particularly large bribe, Balram pretends that there is a mechanical problem with the car. He pulls over, convinces Ashok to kneel down and examine the wheel, then brings the broken bottle down on Ashok’s head. After killing his master, he returns to Ashok’s apartment, collects Dharam, and escapes with his young cousin to Bangalore. Once Balram regains his nerves in Bangalore enough not to fear immediate capture, he begins wandering the city and listening to conversations in cafes –just as he did in the teashop in Dhanbad—to plan his next move. He soon learns that Bangalore’s business world revolves around outsourcing, and that many large technology companies work on a nocturnal schedule. Balram creates a taxi company called White Tiger Drivers to bring call center workers home safely at night, and the venture is an enormous success. By the time he sits down to tell his story, Balram is a wealthy man who keeps to himself, still fearful that one day his crime will be discovered. However, he concludes his letter to Wen Jiabao claiming that even if he is found out, he will never regret his crime: it was worth committing simply because it enabled him to experience life as a free man rather than as a servant. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-white-tiger/characters/balram-halwai Activity 1: Fill Me In! The following are the themes and the sub-themes of the novel “The White Tiger”. Fill in the chart with the details on how the themes in the novel were reflected. Themes and sub- Details from the novel themes Example: The Self-Made - The White Tiger is the story of Balram Halwai’s life as Man a self-declared “self-made entrepreneur”: a rickshaw driver’s son who climbs India’s social ladder to become a chauffer and later a successful businessman. Balram recounts his life story in a letter to visiting Chinese official Premier Jiabao, with the goal of educating the premier about entrepreneurship in India. 1. Education 2. Social breakdown, Interest and Corruption 3. Family 8 4. Morality and Indian Society The novel “The White Tiger” has many symbolisms. The concepts presented range from the major character attributing himself as the white tiger to a lot of other metaphors that suit the situations that he was in. Activity 2: Fill Me Out! Fill out the chart below with the symbols and its meanings that you can find in the novel. Symbols Example: White Tiger Meaning - Balram’s natural intelligence and integrity set him apart from his peers from an early age. On one occasion, his academic prowess impresses a visiting school inspector that the official calls him a “White Tiger”. 1. 2. 3. Let us Practice More Activity: Comparing and Contrasting Instructions: Give the similarities and differences between Japanese and Indian literature using the Venn-Diagram below. Write your answers in bullet and short phrases. 9 Let Us Remember Ø Asian literature mirrors not only the customs and traditions of Asian countries but also their philosophy of life; a reflection of storm and stress of developing nations seeking a place under the sun which every student must understand so he may know how this literature affects the history and culture of a nation. Ø Classic Indian literature would reflect their predominant faith: Hinduism. While modern Indian literature, like the works of Rabindranath Tagore, would focus more on subject matters that can be related to society and national issues. Ø The literature of India, China, and Japan has been the most popular among other Asian countries due to its longevity and influence over other countries. Ø A number of anthologies involving Singaporean authors focus on the topic of urban space, city life, and the rapid transformation of Singapore’s physical environment. Ø Writings about gender and sexuality have also become more prominent in single-author collections or edited anthologies, with writers exploring various inventive and experimental narrative forms in Singapore. Let Us Assess Instructions: Write a three-paragraph close analysis / critical interpretation using psycho-analytic approach of the novel “The White Tiger” by Aravind Adigan. Make use of the guide questions below: Note: What is Psycho-analytic criticism? It is a literary criticism influenced by the tradition of psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud. It made us aware of the impact of early-childhood experiences, remembered or not, on subsequent development. It is subjective and beyond the scientific investigation. Introduction: 1. What is the novel about? 2. Who are the main characters? 3. What is the theme of the novel? 4. What famous quote you can relate with the theme of the novel? Body: 1. What happened to the main character when he was a child? 2. What is the attitude of his parents towards his schooling? 3. What is his family’s economic status? 10 4. How does his background affect his actions when he became an adult? 5. Why did he decide to murder his master? 6. How does he feel after the incident? Conclusion: 1. Like many men in India, how would you describe the attitude of Belram from childhood to adulthood? 2. Do you think his lack of education repress his morals and do darkly motivated actions? 3. If you were Belram, would you do the same? 4. What lesson can you get from the story? Close Analysis and Literary Interpretations Rubric Criteria Intro/ Conclusion Outstanding 5 o Introduction grabs attention. o Conclusion effectively restates the argument, but fresh language and meaningful insight leaves reader wanting more. Exceeds expectation 4 o Introduction sparks interests. o Conclusion restates arguments, but uses new language and shows understanding of the big picture Meet expectations 3 o Introduction provides context for the argument but is obvious and/or basic o Conclusion restates arguments, but recycles previous statements verbatim Approaching expectation 2 o Introduction or conclusion does not flow with the argument of the paper Unacceptable 1 o No introduction and/or conclusion o Introduction or conclusion contains blanket or vague statements. Thesis o Argument is clearly articulated and persuasive, contains an original opinion o Thesis presents a reasonable opinion, argument is clear and focused o Thesis is a plausible argument; contains a legitimate opinion, but somewhat broad and basic o Thesis demonstrates misunderstandi ng of the prompt or text o Thesis not evident; thesis is a fact or plot summary; thesis not in correct position Evidence o Evidence is highly persuasive and effective in supporting your argument o Your evidence is believable and convincing and supports your argument o Evidence is present, but superficial o Evidence chosen does not support thesis/topic sentences o Little or no evidence; Commentary O original ideas and insights; extensive commentary, o Analysis is believable and convincing but o Analysis supports your argument, but ideas are o Ideas lack development; misunderstandi ng of o Analysis not present simply plot summary 11 refreshing; goes beyond obvious and basic commentary Style, Vocabulary, Sentence Structure o Sophisticated vocabulary; sentence variety; quotations are smoothly blended. Mechanics and Coherence o Perfect! (or 1 or 2 minor errors) assertions are still clearly connected to the argument o Still attempting advanced vocabulary obvious and basic prompt or text; illogical argument; o Blend quoted material smoothly; but sentence structure lack variety- basic and obvious; attempts to incorporate more advanced vocabulary o Problems with sentence clarity, redundancy; some quotes stand alone; some vague sentences; little use of class vocabulary or sentence variety o Serious problems with coherence and sentence clarity; o Effective punctuation; close to perfect o Minor problems with coherence, grammar, spelling, punctuation, but does not interfere with the understanding of paper o Several distracting problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation, coherence; citations incorrect o Major spelling, grammar, punctuation errors; distracts and interferes with understanding of paper; Source: http//eudotopia-stw-prep-literaryanalysis-rubric Let Us Enhance Character Sketching The author that you will get to know more from Japan’s famous 21st century icon is a well decorated person in writing. And having the chance to write a report about him is a rare opportunity. However, you are fortunate to have been given the chance to write a character sketch with him as your focus. Read the information bullets below and start drafting your character sketch. Use the activity sheet for your character sketch. Criteria: Organization Grammar Creativity Total -10 points - 10 points - 5 points - 25 points 12 Masashi Kishimoto (岸本 斉史 o o o o o o o o o o born Novem ber 8, 1974 a Japanese manga artist has a twin brother named Seishi Kishimoto a reader of manga from a young age was a fan of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine and later wrote his own shonen manga for this magazine his inspirations in writing are Akira Toriyama and Katsuhiro Otomo well known for creating the manga series Naruto which was in serialization from 1999 to 2014 as of October 2015, Naruto manga has sold over 220 million copies worldwide personally supervised the two canonical anime films, The Last: Naruto the Movie and Boruto: Naruto the Movie has earned an honorable mention in Shueishas’s monthly Hop Step Award Retrieved from https://goo.gl/hmrYMs on 01.07.21 Character Sketch ______________________________________________________________ (Title) ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________ (Writer Let Us Reflect As a whole, Asian literature is a compact of ideas wherein culture, belief, religions, and values collide. This can be reflected from different writers or authors all over Asia who want to share their views, ideas, and emotions through different literary pieces. Most importantly, Asian literature teaches us about humanity-to be sensitive and empathic towards others. 13 Enriquez, Delia C. 2003. Philippine Literature: A Regional Approach. Navotas, M.M. National Bookstore Manalo, Paolo. , 2003. Jolography. MA Thesis. Quezon City: University of the Philippines http//eudotopia-stw-prep-literaryanalysis-rubric https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-white-tiger/characters/balram-halwai https://goo.gl/Ez57u8 on 08.07.17 https://goo.gl/hmrYMs on 01.07.21 14 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call: Department of Education – Davao City Division E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Telephone: (082) 227 4762 Email Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph