Understanding Realism in Literature: A Study Guide

Mariano Marcos State University COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION Laoag City

Realism in Literature: A Study Guide on the Short Story, The Visitation of Gods by Gilda Cordero-Fernando

Background of the Realism Trend in Literature Realism is an artistic movement that begun in 19th century France wherein artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual descriptions. They tried to represent events and social conditions as they actually are, without idealization.

Realism aims to interpret the actualities of any aspect of life, free from subjective prejudice, idealism, or romantic color. It is in direct opposition to concerns of the unusual, the basis of Romanticism. It stresses the real over the fantastic.

Realism also seeks to treat the commonplace truthfully and uses characters from everyday life. This emphasis was brought on by societal changes such as the aftermath of the Civil War in the United States and the emergence of Darwin's Theory of Evolution and its effect upon biblical interpretation.

Vignette The Gods will be visiting Pugad Lawin area once again. The teacher, pay and paints are moving heaven and earth for a magnanimous progress for the God s visitation. All are in frenzy except for Miss Noel, an English teacher. How can she change this mediocre custom? Will she be able to do it alone?

The Author Gilda Cordero-Fernando is a multi-awarded writer, publisher and cultural the Philippines. a B.A. from St. Theresa's College- Manila and an M.A. from the Ateneo de Manila University. Gilda Cordero-Fernando was born on June 4, 1932 in Manila . icon from has She

Cordero-Fernando collection of short stories: The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker (1962) and A Wilderness of Sweets (1973). These books have been compiled and reissued later as Story Collection book, Philippine Food and Life, was published in 1992. has two landmark (1994). Another

Together with Fernando worked on Filipino Heritage, a 10- volume study on Philippine history and culture published by Lahing Pilipino in 1978. Alfredo Roces, Cordero- She founded GCF Books which published a dozen titles that deal with various aspects of Philippine culture and society.

Cordero-Fernando has also worn numerous other hats as a visual artist, fashion designer, playwright, art curator and producer. In February 2000, she produced a hugely successful extravaganza.

GENERAL PRECEPTS General Precept Paragraph/ Sentence Evidence of the General Precept Justification 1. Realism forwards that literature s function is simply to report what happens, without any embellishments. General Precept no.1 is present in this part because the story was presented in a straight forward manner. There is no embellishment in what happened and was stated in the perspective view of a real happening in real situation. The letter announcing the visitation (a yearly descent upon the school by the superintendent, the district supervisors division supervisors for purposes of inspection and evaluation) had been delivered in the morning in the morning by the sleepy janitor to the principal. and the

General Precept Paragraph/ Sentence Evidence of the General Precept Justification The subject matter of realist texts are the on ordinary people and ordinary events in their lives. The teaching staff and the student body had been divided into four working groups. General Precept no.2 is present in this sentence in the story presents ordinary people. The story is a ordinary event in life and so the people involved Teachers and students are considered to be ordinary because they appear in our everyday lives and we can see them everyday. because it are. usually

General Precept Paragraph/ Sentence Evidence of the General Precept Justification Realism the characters rather than the actual plot. highlights Vainly, Miss Noel searched in the crowd for the old Language Arts supervisor. All the years she had been in Pugad Lawin, Mr. Ampil had come: in him there was no sickening bureaucracy, none of the self-importance and pettiness that often characterized public official . He was dedicated to the service of education, had grown old in it. He was about the finest man Miss Noel had ever This part of the story focuses in the sentiments of the main character. General Precept no.3 is present because highlights character s through showcasing her emotion. Through this, the focus of the story strongly believe in the realistic view of the main character of the situation she is tangled with. it the main persona the small known.

General Precept Paragraph/ Sentence Evidence of the General Precept Justification 4. The diction of Realist texts are natural (talking and conversational). The General Precept no. 4 is prevalent in this part of the story because the story is presented conversational manner and was natural because the character s dialogues are proper because it is stated in their own view not being affected by any external factor. The conversation is natural due to the words used; stated character s occupation and self understanding of the situation present in the story. "I thought all teachers hated strict supervisors." Mr. Sawit "Didn't you all quake for your life when Mr. Ampil was there waiting at the door of the classroom even before you opened it with your elucidated. in a key?" "Feared him, yes," said Miss Noel. respected and admired him for what he stood for." "But also in the

General Precept Paragraph/ Sentence Evidence of the General Precept Justification Realism mainly issues and truth rather than the fantasy. focuses present This part of the story shows that general precept no. 4 is evident in the story because the situation is happening in the present time and is one of the concern of the character. The situation is considered to be timely due contextualization author of the character in the story and does not present any issue that has passed and is considered to be a clich to be talked in the story s content. "Isn't it obvious? You announce a whole month ahead that you're visiting. We clean the schoolhouse, tuck the trash in the drawers, bring out our best manners. As you said before, we rehearse our classes. Then we roll out the red carpet - and you believe you observe us in our everyday surrounding, in our comportment?" on past and to of the the everyday

Guide Questions

Subject Matter/ Theme 1. Does the literary piece simply report events without any embellishments? Does it present the truthful representation of life? 2. Does the literary piece portray the way of life of the common people? 3. Does the literary piece showcase problems/ issues relevant to the present time?

Character/ Persona 1. Is the character a representative of the common/ average people? 2. Is the character more pragmatic in his views and practices rather than idealistic or realistic? 3. How does the character react and act on the events that happened in the story? Cite sentences and phrases in the story.

4. Does the character in the story experience conflicts from his/her environment especially from the ongoing social issues that is beyond his/her control?

Style 1. Does the literary piece highlight the character rather the plot? How does it highlight the character? sentences and phrases from the story. 2. Is the diction used in the literary piece conversational ? Cite some sentences and phrases. Cite specific

3. Does the literary piece describe the world in realistic detail and expose its absurdities? 4. Does the literary piece presents facts only? Cite sentences and phrases in the story showing such.

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