LITERATY ANALYSIS

 Literary analysis

   TO DEFINE IS TO KNOW 

Author:   

Cirilo F. Bautista (July 9, 1941-May 6, 2018),

The poem "To Define is to Know" was written by Filipino poet, writer, and critic Cirilo Bautista for a variety of reasons, as a poem's interpretation is often arbitrary and subject to differing viewpoints. But even without direct input from the author, we may still examine the poem to learn more about its potential themes and inspirations.

The adage "To Define is to Know" implies that comprehending something more thoroughly comes from giving it a definition. The poem might be an examination of how eager we are as humans to understand and organize the world around us. It considers the value of language and definition as tools for understanding life's complexities.

Identity, history, and culture are frequent themes in Bautista's work as they relate to the Philippines. It's probable that "To Define is to Know" is his attempt to depict the complexity of Filipino identity and its battle for definition in a fast-changing global environment. The poem may be an investigation of how defining and comprehending cultural heritage contribute to a feeling of self and group identity.

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The poem explores the complexity of language, knowledge, and definitions' innate limitations. Readers are prompted to consider the nature of understanding and the function of language in capturing the essence of things by Bautista through his carefully selected language and pictures.

"To Define is to Know," the poem's title, sets the tone for the rest of the composition. It implies that definitions are not only language devices but rather means of acquiring information and understanding. It is immediately evident what Bautista's goal is: to investigate the connection between definition and knowledge and to question the reader's preconceptions on what knowing is.

The poem is about a family, namely a poor family, as the poem explicitly states in the opening line, "because we are poor." They advised us to picture the setting or the time period in order to completely comprehend , but after reading the poem, all I can picture is the current plight of our terrible fellow filipino. It is depressing to consider that the issue raised in the poem still affects our generation and, in my opinion, will continue to do so in the years to come.

In the verse, it was said that the underprivileged Filipinos should exercise extreme caution when interacting with police officers and politicians, or simply with anyone in positions of authority. In light of the fact that it is reported that if they don't like the way you appear, they will shoot you down. Imagine being murdered only based on your appearance rather than your criminal record. I'm recalled of this by the extrajudicial killings that took place under Duterte and Marcos. the willful killing of a person without having been given valid permission by a court order. Typically, it refers to government officials picking out specific individuals to be killed, whether they are doing it legally or illegally. In authoritarian regimes, this is frequently done via political.

To this day, it is clearly evident that being poor puts you at the mercy of the wealthy or powerful, who can either kill you or buy you. These unfortunate occurrences continue to occur because the wealthy continue to get richer while the poor continue to get poorer. As stated in the poem, power abuse and corruption are still evident today. Vote buying still occurs, and some educated Filipinos appear to be neither well-educated nor to be at all so when it comes to voting, Filipinos tend to support those who are well-known rather than those who are actually qualified. 

vote buying https://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/8FE8708175E54F5395E5FA42F10FE77D/vote-buying-and-selling-20160209.jpg

                                                             CHILDREN OF THE CITY

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Amadis Ma. Guerrero's narrative "Children of the City" is a brief piece. Filipino novelist  renowned for his writings in both Tagalog and English. The hardships faced by urban poor youngsters are shown in this narrative as it investigates their daily life.The urban setting of "Children of the City" depicts the harsh reality and difficulties that urban impoverished children deal with on a daily basis. It highlights the destitution, abuse, and exploitation that these young people go through when they are left to fend for themselves in a harsh urban environment.

The narrative goes into the lives of these kids, showcasing their resiliency, resourcefulness, and survival skills. Despite their challenging circumstances, it frequently focuses on their dreams, hopes, and aspirations. The story shows, via the viewpoint of the children, the striking contrast between their naive wants and the reality of the world they live in.

The central themes of "Children of the City" are poverty, social inequality, urbanization, and the loss of childhood innocence. Guerrero's writing aims to foster empathy for the plight of these marginalized children, underscoring the pressing need for social change and a more inclusive society.

In general, "Children of the City" is a moving and thought-provoking tale that highlights the challenges and resiliency of kids living in urban poverty. It makes a strong statement on society problems and makes people more conscious of the need to show kindness, provide support, and create chances for our communities' most vulnerable residents.

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