Literature and Sociopolitics
Rizal Technological University, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Literature reflects society and society shapes literature. Literature, though it may also be many other things, is social evidence and testimony (Lewis Coser,in http://sociologyindex.com/sociology-and-literature.htm) of the cultural background of the society. Understanding how culture, like that in politics affects our lives. It helps us develop a sociological imagination. It helps us determine how people think and act. Thus, culture is essential for our individual survival and for our communication with other people. (Kendall, 2005) Therefore, in the academic environment, how does literature subjects serve as vehicle in exposing the learners on the socio-political issues of their setting? This study tried to explore the sociopolitical implication of the novel Alamat ng Gubat as a depiction of the Philippine politics and governance. Specifically, it aimed to look into the nature of the novel which reflected the type of society, identify the kind of society presented in the novel, characterize the characters to unveil how the author presented the socio-political environment and discern the sociopolitical issues implied in the novel.
KEYWORDS
Authority, Government, Hierarchy, Literature, Power, Sociopolitics