Deconstruction Analysis

Design by Robert Frost

I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,

On a white heal-all, holding up a moth

Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth --

Assorted characters of death and blight

Mixed ready to begin the morning right,

Like the ingredients of a witches' broth --

A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth,

And dead wings carried like a paper kite.

What had that flower to do with being white,

The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?

What brought the kindred spider to that height,

Then steered the white moth thither in the night?

What but design of darkness to appall?--

If design govern in a thing so small. 

This two-stanza poem opens rather subtly - presenting the reader a picture of nature with a spider, a moth, and a flower at its center. But the first bright scene gradually dimmed when quite implicitly, the author questioned the 'nature' of things.

If a divine creature truly is responsible for the beauty and intricacy in every individual, then, could the Divine also be the hand that placed the 'moth' into his demise? The author tells the reader that even the smallest thing is designed to be the way it is, that something as beautiful as the 'flower' - the heal-all - must truly have been woven by a creator and that it is placed exactly where it should be: a bed and a refuge for a weak little thing as the moth. And yet, could the same hand be the one who 'steered' the spider onto that 'great height' and the moth, its prey? Is the hand that wakes the sun and designs beautiful things, be the same hand that brings about their destruction?

Robert Frost's 'Design' questions the nature of the universe, of destiny and existence.  I think that it is metaphysical in some sense. 

Postcolonial Criticism

Things Fall Apart 

'Things Fall Apart' is a novel by African writer Chinua Achebe set before and during the colonization of Africa by the the British empire: referred to as 'white men' in the book. The novel portrays the drastic and foreign changes the different tribes in the colonized sections of Africa had undergone through Okonkwo, the protagonist-antagonist of the story, and his tribe, the Igbo people of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria.

Achebe introduced first the life and culture of these people before the arrival of the colonizers. Okonkwo was the son of Unoka - a man considered lazy, wasteful, and without honor by his tribe. He died with nothing but shame and debts in his name. Okonkwo was determined to be unlike his father for the people of his tribe value strength and despise weakness. So after defeating the 'strongest' man in the village through wrestling, he gained his fame, power, and soon, his wealth - and apparently became the leader of the Igbo tribe. Looking back to his father's gentle ways that he considered a weakness, he in turn, had become a difficult husband to his wives, an unerring leader to his people, and a stubborn man. But after an incident by which he accidentally killed one of his tribesmen, Okonkwo, together with his family, was exiled for seven years - for they believe that the killing of a clansman was a terrible crime against the 'earth goddess' that they worship. Thus, Okonkwo left for the native village of his mother to spend his years of exile there.

One of the main reasons that colonizers provide to give  'honor' and 'justification' to their deeds in colonizing a country is the wish to educate the 'savages'. This is the kind of thinking that most Western colonizers possess: only they are the educated and powerful, and the others are ranked far below them and are rightly labeled as savages. There are a lot of scenes in the novel that show this; one is when a white man arrived in the village of Umuofia who, after a prediction that he would bring destruction to the clans, was killed by the people. The act of the Igbo people only proved to the 'white men' that they are indeed uneducated people living in an unsystematic community - thus, they reeked their revenge and destroyed the village.

One effect of colonization to the colonized people is the lack of individuality. The people, despite wishing to be freed of the tethers that limit their beliefs, actions, and thinking have learned to "love their chains" - without it, they can no longer identify themselves. Thus, they stand amidst confusion and follow the mighty. After all, might used to be right. So when Okonkwo returned from his exile and after witnessing what happened to his village and discovering that his people no longer have the intrinsic motivation to fight, he hanged himself.

Psychological Analysis of Hands by Sherwood Anderson

Hands

Wing Biddlebaum, a fat little old man,  was sitting in a veranda looking at the group of young adult workers of the Berry Farm in Winesburg, Ohio. He was a lonely old man, isolated by his own horrible experience from way back 20 years ago. He looks at those girls and boys with sadness because he, unlike those workers feels alone in that old house. His only friend was George Willard , a reporter for the Winesburg Eagle. People in Winesburg, Ohio always wonders why Wing Biddlebaum, always hides his hands from people. One day, while talking to his friend George Willard , he unintentionally placed his hands in George Willard's shoulder causing him to be terrified by his own actions and hurried home leaving George in confusion.


Wing Biddlebaum's horrified  reaction when he   unintentionally placed his hands in George was due to the past experience he has 20 years ago. His  real name was  Adolph Myers, a teacher in  Pennsylvania. He was a kind hearted and gentle  teacher who is fond of placing his hands in his student's head/ hair to tousle them or touch their shoulder.  His voice and hands  were soft and  kind  that there were boys who like him.  


There was this one stupid boy who falls in love with him. One day, the boy had a dream that his teacher is  touching him in a malicious way and claims it to be true events  when the morning arrived.. When the teacher was  subjected for questioning, the parents asked Wing's students if it is true that he is fond of of touching his students. The students said yes  that the day after, one of the parents of his students beat him up so badly and he was driven away from that place by a group of men.


The horrible experience caused so much trauma to him  that  he changed his name into Wing Biddlebaum  and decided to  settle in Winesburg, Ohio. He vowed never to touched anyone with his hands again for it might be the reason for him to be misjudged and be beaten again by other people.


ANALYSIS:

  Sherwood Anderson uses the hands as a symbol of work, kindness and love. Our hands may portray different kind of things depending on our perspective of things but as it is used n the text this particular hands is used to show kindness and love. Wing's  hands were used to touch  student's shoulders or tousle their hairs to show that he cares for them. His hands symbolizes the care and love a teacher usually gives to his students.

In its deepest sense, Freudian may argue that hands or someones touch may show intimacy and romance but it can also show affection of care and concern. It is sadly noted that in the story, Wings hands were understood by others to be abusive, and manipulative for some viewed it to be the means of  molesting others. 

The gestures of our hands maybe viewed differently as  it portrays different reasons only the one who uses it knows and understand.

Feminism Approach " The Virgin"

This is my report:-)

Biag Ni Lam-Ang

Archetypal Analysis

"Biag ni Lam-ang" is a Filipino epic dating back to the Pre-Spanish age. It is the story of Lam-ang, the hero of the epic poem, who went on a quest in search for his father Don Juan. It is obviously an epic for the protagonist has been capable of completing conceivably impossible tasks like killing a tribe of Igorots by himself, and talking immediately after his birth.

Lam-ang is the archetypal hero of the poem. While his mother Namongan was bearing him, she asked her husband Don Juan to make her a reclining bed to be used in the time she gives birth. As a symbol that Don Juan is a powerful man with seemingly godlike abilities, by simply asking the bamboos, and the other pieces of wood he used to make his wife's bed, to go ahead and walk by themselves, he was immediately obeyed by these once inanimate objects and even arranged themselves for his convenience. He even even went to punish a tribe of Igorots by himself - rather unsuccessfully. The son, Lam-ang, inherited some of his father's abilities and the task of punishing the tribe of Igorots. This gives way to a custom where fathers pass down to their first sons the treasures or heirloom of the family and dreams he had failed to achieve - of which a father asks his son to continue it and hope for his success.

Symbolizing Lam-ang's 'greatness', he was able to talk fluently immediately after his birth. A dream showed him that his father had died. Some cultures believe that dreams are a portal to the same reality - that it shows us events and things that we did not see firsthand, but are connected to us - and sometimes give us glimpses of our future. Because of this belief, Lam-ang was certain that his father had indeed died, and so he immediately set out to avenge the death of Don Juan by killing the tribe of Igorots who killed him. Lam-ang only spared a few Igorots to spread the word of his menace and strength.

There was a scene in the poem where Lam-ang was bathed in a river by a dozen of young women. All the living creatures that swam in the water died and the water itself turned murky and brown. The bathing symbolizes rebirth. Lam-ang was cleansed by his past filth/mistakes which was a lot considering what the dirt in his skin did to the fish that once swam those waters. And because he was born anew, he was able to experience one of the purest emotions: love. It came to him in the form of the loveliest maiden in a nearby town; her name was Ines.

In wooing this maiden, Lam-ang brought with him two companions: a white rooster and a gray dog. Because a long queue of men were outside the cottage of Ines, he asked his rooster to crow to catch her attention. The rooster crowed and a nearby house fell down. Now, the rooster here is a symbol of courage and strength - qualities that Lam-ang possessed. After successfully gaining Ines' attention, he asked his dog to bark and the house that fell down rose up and rebuilt itself. A dog is a symbol of a pure spirit and of loyalty - which tells us that Lam-ang has pure intentions for Ines. After paying the dowry, he won the hand of Ines.

Marxist Criticism ( Pangako Sayo )

Pangako Sayo

Pangako Sayo is a story that deals with the abuse and inequalities poor people encounter in today's society especially in the hands of those who are able and wealthy. It is a story of Yna and Angelo, the lovers in the story who happens to be living in the opposite sides of life. Yna was born in a poor family while Angelo was born enjoying all the pleasures and privileges life can offer. It revolves around their love story  wherein Angelo's mother is not in favor. She does everything in her power  to make sure that these lovers will not end up together as couple because of financial concerns and label in society where Angelo's family belongs. This situation entails the relationship of the haves and the have nots in  society. More often than not, the haves are abusive of the power that they enjoy,  taking for granted the vulnerability of the have nots in abuses and maltreatment.

Society should understand the importance of fairness in dealing with different kinds of people. In the eyes of God we are all created equal. We are all born to enjoy life and all its privileges. We are all given the chance to live and be happy. Whatever things God created for each one to enjoy, each one should have the right and the chance to do so. People should understand that conflicts arise because people tend to forget the importance of respect towards each other no matter what their status or capabilities in life are.

The Child of Sorrow

Zoilo Galang was born on June 27, 1895 at Bacolor, Pampanga. He spent his early years in his hometown, which is known for its artists and famous writers, killing the hours by reading books from his favorite authors. He was born during the Spanish time and grow up in the culture of American colonization. In his elementary years, he went to Bacolor Elementary school. He went to Manila to continue his studies at the Escuela de Derecho, the country's famous law school where he graduated as a lawyer in 1919. He learn typing and stenography both in English and Spanish through his own efforts. He was attracted to English language that he took special courses of it at the University of the Philippines in 1925. He then went to Columbia University to continue his studies about literature.

He then started writing books of fiction, biography and philosophy.His first poem was printed on a Kapampangan paper known as "E Mangabiran", He then wrote the novel "A Child of Sorrow" known as the first English novel written by a Filipino, which was later made into a movie in 1930. Despite the many books he had written, one of his most notable contribution to the Philippines was the Encyclopedia of the Philippines which began as a 10 volume when it was first published. The encyclopedia is compose of topics about Philippine Literature, biography, commerce and industry, art, education, government, history, and builders of the Philippines..

Zoilo Galang also wrote some articles about Rizal. Through this, he made Filipinos realized that the Philippines is abundant of heroes willing enough to do heroic deeds for the welfare of his country. This are very evident in his works and this fact are even incorporated in his novel "The Child of Sorrow".  Some of  the contents of his novel were inspired from the teachings of Rizal like  themes on "Love of Country, Character and Industry, laying emphasis in that if they can not better their conditions now, they must let their children do it as they are to be the men and women of a brilliantly promising future." This statement can be incorporated with the  statement of Rizal that "youth is the hope of our motherland". This interpretation was strengthen when he mention in his novel "Our Patriot of that dark year of 1896 said that the "Youth are the beautiful hopes of our Motherland." The "dark year of 1896"  refers to the year when Filipinos had suffered so much from the Spanish colonizers for it is during this time that the country experience uprisings  and rebellions against Spain. December 30, 1896,  Jose Rizal was executed by firing squad in Bagumbayan (now called Rizal Park) after being held captive at fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. (http://www.camperspoint.com/Important-Events-in-Philippine)

One of the description on his novel which states that "There on the wall was hanging first of all the picture of his hero Jose Rizal with Bonifacio and Mabini and a group of illustrious Filipinos on both sides." This only proves how much Zoilo Galang look up to these national heroes as his role models in living his life.

The description "They spent the rest of the day happily in the fields :by working and gathering rice stalks and addressing the .peasants just as soon as the day's work was over on subjects common to them-bits of lectures on farming and -modern agriculture now, and then on educational lines," only shows how the people in rural areas  live in simplicity during the early years. It likewise showed the old tradition of Filipinos wherein everyone help each other in their everyday routines. "And this was done while sitting together around a fire or resting under the shade of a tree or in front of the big cottage."  It shows the simple life the people of our past has enjoyed, that everything is peaceful and nature is abundant.

It is very notable in his works the ideas and influence of foreign literature Since he was able to continue his studies abroad about literature. The statements from his novel like "from whose sublime soul the birds tune their sweet  vernal notes that seem to give enchantment to Apollo's lyre," only shows his in depth knowledge about Greek mythology."
 "I am no longer a kid, now, but rather a Bassanio bidding fair to Portia's hand." Bassanio and Portia were characters from William Shakespeare's " The Merchant of Venice". Another line from his novel "For when the heart loves, it loves for ever. He excused it with the idea that no human being is perfect, and that even the Grecian standard of beauty was not as lovely as she should to others who loved another, for did not the lovely Titania herself fall in love with the terrible ass?".  "Woman's first kiss is said to be one of the greatest events in life. It is the seal of the love like that of Juliet's to her Romeo-when two passionate lips dip into the sweet realm of the cup of love while Cupid stand smiling and the angels in heaven sing of the faith of two loving souls." The characters mention above were from foreign literatures. "Going a little farther more, these pictures meet one's sight,here the picture of Lincoln, there of Shakespeare, down there of Napoleon, and a little farther there of Verdi." This lines mention the names of different famous names/ leaders of the world.

His novel also shows that Galang is a bibliophile when it was mention that "as if it was the lost paradise that was once of our ancestors Adam and Eve." It only proves that he reads different kind of books and literature including the bible. Some of the contents of his novel only shows how he values the bible and everything that is written in there."Everything depends upon you. You are the sole masters of yourselves, that is, the architects of your own destinies. Ask and.i t shall be given, 'the Lord says. Then, why don't you work .,always the best you can- and do it to your satisfaction? Oh, my dear friends, do not come here and stand and look askance at me I mean to practice what I preach, if I can,  make the most of my time while  I live." His knowledge of so many adage found in his novel only proves how a book lover and wide reader he is. It was written in his novel " Indeed time passes so tediously to those who wait. It is the person who waits and not the one waited who becomes impatient, as the native saying goes." "They were dumb and silent. For when the heart is full, the tongue becomes speechless." "It is a deadly germ that infects; so pluck this evil weed before it takes root in your farm. Pluck it off, and at once! "
He said to them that "lost time is never found again, and that what one makes of his time, that shall determine his future achievement in life." He believed in the practicing and observing of to do as you would that others would do to you. Nothing .more and nothing less, for as you sow so shall you reap. "  These are just few of the lines found in his novel which shows his deep knowledge of different sayings from across time.

 Some of the dialogues found in his novel depicts the problems about salary wage and labor abused that is still an issue even up to this days. "Some of our field laborers complain. They want shorter hours-say six, and more pay, said Camilo."

This statement from his novel can be connected to the practices the Spanish Friars wherein most of the friars of that time do not practice what they preached  "They are preaching against good morals.  He is a Bolshevik who poses for a saint when he is a fake; in fact, he who preaches things against the golden rule, who works contrary to human expectations, doing things unworthy of a Christian." It only shows how Filipinos lament on how the Spaniards manage the Philippines and its people. 

"Just wait, Rosa, and time shall find us the happiest beings in this world. I will first try to work hard in order to deserve your affection, sweet and lasting and then we shall marry." "He took the first train leaving for his town. He was a boy who placed duty before pleasure, and who could not break up his word to his father." It shows that men during his time values there word of honor and gives high importance to their social responsibilities.

During this time when the country was under the rule of different colonizers , a will to educate the masses to fight for their right is very important. "Knowledge is the one thing needful. It is just what our country's youth need at present, why, because a country with wise people is a country that can never be subjugated by any foreign power, it is a country with learning, it is a country that can not be poor, it is a country that shall be free, happy and prosperous. So then let us get what education we can and let us use it for the benefit of ourselves and for the welfare of our country."

Zoilo Galang was the first Filipino to published a 10 volume encyclopedia and these can be trace in some of his lines in his novel ''I want to scatter, broadcast whatever ideas and thoughts I have so that others may reap what I have sown and done, and so that by my little ideas and insignificant knowledge my, country's ban of ignorance may be obliterated and lifted up, little by little, for I am with the saying that drop by drop the sea is filled." His reputation as the writer of the Philippine's encyclopedia was backed up by some statements from his novel "There was a small library of select books, mostly classical, and of the native works, such as novels, poems, and corridos, among which were "Florante and Laura," and "Noli Me Tangere" with the author's biography, and the History of the Philippines and the World in general."

His interest in reading and how he values time was shown in one of the lines of his novel "He worked or read sixteen hours a day; and when he read, he read; when he worked, he worked; when he played, he played; and when he rested, he rested soundly."

"Even though going to the extreme of bartering goods or paying ready money for such votes. Thus he began to tamper with the sanctity of the official ballot which ought to represent the sacred will of the people. As to their own farmers, they, poor men, were threatened or forced either to cast their votes in favor of the Governor or else leave their farm and all their work from whence they derived their living. It was such a cruel alternative, and the poor creatures, much against their wish and to their regret, obeyed in fear of displeasing him and losing their daily bread." This statement shows the truth that corruption exist long before we were able to realize it to be a social problem and that even today it is still an on going problem for it was  never addressed.