Framework 2

Dr. Jose Y. Dalisay Jr.

Dalisay was born in Romblon, Philippines 1954. He has published nearly

30 books receiving the National Book Award from the Manila Critics Circle. He

Graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1984(AB English, cum laude)

and then received an MFA from the University of Michigan (1988) and PhD in

English from the University Milwaukee (1991). He teaches English and Creative

Writing at the University of the Philippines where he also serves as a Fellow and

former Director of the UP Institute of Creative Writing. After serving as chairman

of the English Department, he assumed the post of Vice President of Public

affairs of the UP System from 2003-2005.

FEMINIST CRITICISM

According to Tyson, Feminist criticism is concerned with "...the ways in which

literature (and other cultural productions) reinforce or undermine the economic,

political, social, and psychological oppression of women" (Tyson 83). This school

of theory looks at how aspects of our culture are inherently patriarchal (male

dominated) and aims to expose misogyny in writing about women, which can

take explicit and implicit forms. This misogyny, Tyson reminds us, can extend

into diverse areas of our culture: "Perhaps the most chilling example...is found in

the world of modern medicine, where drugs prescribed for both sexes often have

been tested on male subjects only" (85).Feminist criticism is also concerned with

less obvious forms of marginalization such as the exclusion of women writers

from the traditional literary canon: "...unless the critical or historical point of view

is feminist, there is a tendency to underrepresent the contribution of women

writers" (Tyson 84).

Feministic approach is concerned with the ways in which literature reinforce or

undermine the economic, political, social, psychological oppression of women.

Soledad’s Sister has this kind of approach because the novel focuses on the

experiences, abilities, weaknesses and strengths of women to pass through each

day of their lives. These hardships are shown by the characters of Rory and Soli.

The novel depicts the dominance of men to women. The jobs of the two sisters,

Soli as OFW and Rory being a singer and an entertainer in a KTV bar called

Flame Tree shows two different side of being a woman’s struggles and strengths.

The two sisters both showed their strengths like Soli specifically saying “my

savings are almost gone and we need things for you and Nathan….. We need

this house. I have to go.” But there is also the moment of weakness when she

caved in to her fellow maid who said “I’ll meet you here at eight. It’s all arranged.

Let’ have some fun.” A story of two women in the struggles of mental, physical,

and financial troubles.

SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

According to Swingwood, it can also be called as a sociological criticism of

literature. It looks at the author and the contents of his/her literary work. It

includes the author’s connection with his/her society and their status or position

as well. Additionally it also looks at the content of the literary work and its views

on the society. A common example of this is Marxist critique of literature wherein

it looks at the types of class conflicts shown on other literary works. It can also

include the study of past literary works and its view on society compared to the

present view of society. Additionally, the Sociological Approach examines the

literary work in regards to its cultural, economic and political context.

Sociological Approach applies to Aurora who is one of the millions of

Filipino workers all over the world who left their homelands to find work overseas

in order to help their families in terms of financial gain. Lacking from sufficient

source of income and planning, they were swayed into working day jobs abroad

to earn enough for a few years and then come home to live the Filipino dream.
 They had to make the sacrifice of leaving their children, spouses, parents,

siblings, and friends. They had to brave the discrimination and abuses that some

intolerant foreigners heap on them. But, they are industrious and willing to do

anything for their family. Even at the time Aurora was pregnant with Nathan she

still pushed through specifically saying “I want to keep this house, I want Nathan

to grow up and become an engineer.” Even in their lowest point they still manage

to dream about a brighter future but it still ended in a tragedy as they didn’t plan

or expect the challenges in their way.

ALIENATION

Alienation was first introduced by Karl Marx, a German philosopher, well-

known for his theories regarding the concept of capitalism and communism

(Kenton, 2019). The idea of alienation revolves around the disconnection of

something that is supposed to be familiar. It is the inability of a being to act

harmoniously with its species, thus, its disconnection to its own nature.

Furthermore, in relation with the capitalistic views, alienation persists in a work

environment if the capitalist society prevents the realization of the working class

of its defined rights and deserved commodities (Lowe, 2015).

SOCIOLINGUISTICS APPROACH

The existence of alienation in sociolinguistics approach veers more

towards the past events of Soledad and her sister. There is a central key

evidence in the novel’s fifth chapter that further approve such claim. The

language of the youth is anchored amidst the developing competence to

communication and reduction of immature verbal patterns (“Theories and

Concepts in Sociolinguistics, n.d.). These mentioned points were evident when

Soledad stood up and ran after finding out that the music box were inherited to

her younger sister, Rory or also known as, Aurora. Her anger was tended to

locking out any form of communication between herself and her mother, yet a

thorough exhibition of the desire to attain such (by implying that her running away

suggests that she wants to be courted by her mother.)

 The Creation of Jose Dalisay titled as Soledad’s Sister is explored in this

study. It is viewed by different approaches to further examine the literature work

and style of Jose Dalisay. The context of the study revolves around alienation,

sociology, psychology and sociolinguistic.

A flow chat is utilized in the conceptual framework to serve as a guide in

the development of the study is presented in figure 1. A flow chart is a graphic

illustration of the structure of stages and choices required to complete a

procedure. Every stage in the arrangement is presented within an illustration.

Steps are linked by connecting lines and directional arrows. This allows anyone

to view the flowchart and logically follow the process from beginning to end

( Smartdraw.com/Website, 2017).

Presented in the first box are the primary sources and bases for the analysis of

the study. It starts with the title of the book by Jose Dalisay called Soledad’s

Sister. Explored in the study is about the forms of Feminist encountered in

emotional, physical, sexual, financial, and mental difficulties. Next is the Impacts

of social circumstances Industrious, Lack of planning, and Will of a person. The

Forms of Alienation Disconnection from the familiarity and Eccentricity that is

also connected to Alienation in Relationships that is Inhibition of communication

and Mental gymnastics. Lastly the Effects of Alienation are Disconnection on

family , Deterioration of mental health , and Brokenness of moral compass

 On the second box, process relative to the analysis of book of Jose

Dalisay called Soledad’s Sister. The three approaches used in the analyses

include psychological, sociological and sociolinguistic Approaches. Based on the

analysis regarding the effects of every situation in the book understudy utilizing

the three approaches to criticisms emerges the third box which indicated the

output of the study in the form of seeing the message of the information

dissemination material to enhance awareness regarding Dangers of being an

illegal foreign worker.

THE LITERARY FRAMEWORK

SOLEDAD’S SISTER BY JOSE

DALISAY

KEY POINTS

Forms of Feminist encountered Content

Analysis Information
in
Dissemination
 emotional Feminist Materials
 physical Approach (Pamphlet)
 sexual
 financial Sociological
Approach To enhance
 mental
awareness
Impacts of social Alienation regarding the
circumstances dangers of being
Sociolinguistics an illegal foreign
 Industrious
Approach worker.
 Lack of planning
 Will
Forms of Alienation
 Disconnection from the
familiarity
 Eccentricity
Alienation in Relationships
 Inhibition of communication
 Mental gymnastics
Effects of Alienation
 Disconnection on family
 Deterioration of mental
health
 Brokenness of moral
compass
REFERENCES

Kenton, W.( 2019).Karl Marx. Retrieved from

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/k/karl-marx.asp

Lois Tyson, (2006). Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guid. Purdue

Univeristy
Doi: org/10.4324/9780203479698
Lowe, D. (2015). Karl Marx’s Conception of Alienation.

Retrieved fromhttps://1000wordphilosophy.com/2015/05/13/karl-marxs-

conception-of-alienation/Theories and Concepts in Sociolinguistics (n.d.).

Retrieved from

https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/97478/9/09_chapter2.pf

Daryll Delgado. (2010). Kritika Kultura. Retrieved from Interview with Jose

Dalisay.

Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo (2019). UP News. Retrieved from

https://www.up.edu.ph/index.php/beloved-writer-and-professor-butch-

dalisay-retires-after-35-years-of-service/

Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta (2019). ABS-CBN News. Retrieved from

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/books/08/24/19/butch-dalisay-on-

killing-time-with-bencab-in-prison-working-for-brocka-and-writing-for-

marcos
"What is the sociological approach to literature?" eNotes Editorial, (2018)

Retrieved from https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-sociological-

approach-literature-693886