Read it and learn it. (Asian Literature)

            I can clearly remember how our teacher told us to voice out our preferred scope and limitation on defining Asian literature. Hours of reading and rereading the writings of famous Asian authors and finally, now, I am able to make up my own definition of Asian Literature. Defining it from the works and texts that I have encountered, I think it is fit to say that Asian literature is any published or printed copy that is about Asia-its people, its geographic location, culture, practices, beliefs, customs and traditions. It does not necessarily mean that for a piece of literature to be qualified or labeled as ‘Asian’, the author should be Asian or born in Asia too. The definition of Asian literature is not limited to that area. Any work of any author of any race, nationality or place of birth can be labeled as ‘Asian’ as long as it suits the definition and restrictions mentioned above.

            The moment we were able to clearly set our limitations and boundaries in learning Asian Literature, we were then assigned texts to read, familiarize and analyze. Even though I cannot remember all the authors and the titles of the story, poems and Haiku that I have encountered in my English 175 (Survey of Asian Literature) readings, there are two short stories that took space in my memory and I feel like I will be remembering these stories and its lessons for the rest of my existence.

            The first story is The Drain by Samad Said, translated by Dr. Solehah Ishak. I was impressed by the author’s style of vividly describing the place, the occurrences, and the people and their personalities.  It is some kind of a gross story because of its setting, but it is the kind whom I want to continue reading until the last punctuation. It makes people realize that we should not surrender to poverty. Some are rich and some are poor by birth, but how you will die is your decision. You have a lifetime to change your life’s situation. The story serves as a realization for us to get up and work, to stop complaining and murmuring, and to do what you can do. It teaches us a lesson of not being lazy and not to blaim someone else for your situation.

            Another story that I’m sure placed an irremovable mark of change in my life is The Taximan’s Story by Catherine Lim. It exposed the reality of the world that many teenagers nowadays use money, gadgets and fashion in measuring their dignity. In order to keep up with the ever-changing trends and demands of society, many would just settle unto selling their bodies, not thinking of their future and not even minding of their parents who worked hard to send them to school in order to uplift their dignity and moral. It is a harsh reality that what seemed valuable a century back-education, purity and modesty is nowadays second only to wants and popularity.

            Lastly, there is also a poem that gave me a lot of realizations. This poem is entitled Drinking alone by moonlight, written by Li Po. It is an eye-opener that no matter how you think your life is good, it would still be better if you have friends. No matter how much you enjoy doing a certain thing, it would be more fun and enjoyable if you do it with your friends. Happiness will not become joy if you don’t share it with someone whom you dearly trust. The poem implies that drinking alone makes the persona of the poem happy, it he would be joyful if only he has friends to share his happiness too.

            On the other hand, the poem too implies that people have the innate characteristic of making the most of what he/she has. In that case, the man no longer entertain the fact the he does not have friends. He just bear in mind that he is happy of being alone, maybe it is a form of his defense mechanism to escape from the reality. In the end, he was still happy, because after all it is his decision to be happy since it is his life.

            What I like about these stories is that I think it attains the ultimate goal of literature-to expose the current situation to make people informed and aware on what to do and how to act. The mentioned goal is just my own assigned purpose of literature, of course. With no doubts, hesitations and filters, the stories are able to create a clear mental picture of the harshness of the people around us and the situation. Moreover, the stories seemed to challenge me to never give up, no matter how difficult and how the world seems unfair, I just got to keep moving on, because after all, life is what you make it. It also inculcated in my mind that life is a joy ride. It would be happier if throughout your journey, you have friends and loved ones to talk to and to share your happiness and sorrows with.

            Meanwhile, after being exposed to various texts, there are common themes that I found in the writings of the various authors. Most  of them talks about the nature, or even mentioned any part of nature, may it be Haiku, Short Story or Poem. For instance, in the poems My Cottage at Deep South Mountain, Climbing the City Tower North of the River and River Village, the title itself give importance or highlights nature.

            On the other hand, another common theme found in the story is loneliness and being sad for being left alone. This theme is reflected, for example in the poem Missing her husband on an Autumn Night by Wang Wei and Drinking Alone by Moonlight, written by Li po, whose title alone implies how sad it is to be alone. Even throughout the text, it is implied to the readers that life is good but it can be better if it was spent with someone dear to you, someone you love, and someone special, like your husband or your friends.

            All in all, I can really say that Asian literature is good and has its different ‘taste’ or ‘effect’ compared to literatures from other countries. I have appreciated this literature, maybe because of the fact that I am an Asian which makes me capable of relating to the context of the story, its setting, its characters and their personalities and the problems encountered. In the said literature’s case, most problems reflected were third world ones, since most countries in Asian are third world countries.

            Another things is that through reading the works of Asian authors or works written regarding Asia and its culture, I have been able to know more about my continent. There are some practices that I was not familiar but because of the descriptions and its impact on the story, I have been able to know the explanations on why things happen the way they were- in an Asian way. For instance, by reading Mahamaya, I came across the word ‘suttee’. From its implication in the story, I knew that suttee was once a practice of Indian women to burn themselves with the curse of their husband during the funeral. It is considered a privilege for them to be given the opportunity to jump in the funeral pyre with their husband’s body. At present times, this practice has been abolished because it is inhumane. I was amazed by this fact when I knew about this.

            Another idea or knowledge about Asia that I have encountered is that men from India love voluptuous women which is very different from the Western or even Philippine trend of beautiful and stunning for being slim and skinny.

            Those are just some of unfamiliar concepts in Asia that I have encountered that I can hardly believe. All because to reading Asian literature, I was able to make myself acquainted and familiar with those practices. I even said to myself that I am  not really that familiar with my own continent, thanks to the literature, I was able to add new knowledge to my previously learned facts and  information.

            To non-Asian people, it would be a great experience to encounter some works that talk about Asia. This would lead to appreciation of various cultures that will then result to respect of tradition and their culture. Though at times some practices may seem ‘weird’ to us, but through these literatures, understanding is promoted and we are taught to be sensitive enough, with the knowledge that we cannot expect all traditions and practices to be homogeneous.

            Lastly, being able to read various literature, from Western to Asian, will make you flexible enough, not only to the realities of the world, but also to how the writers differ in style in their expressing of ideas and even how the plot or idea is laid down. In this sense, once we encounter varying forms of writing, our knowledge will no longer be limited, hence, we can appreciate literature and writings in a deeper sense.