Weaponizing literature
The Burghers of Calais, Rodin Museum, 2006.
We bemoan the general lack of interest in books in this country—my book publisher weeps at the statistics—but we forget that the Revolution that ended 300 years of Spanish rule was triggered by a pair of novels. Yes, books. The first is a scathing social satire, the second a revenge drama reminiscent of The Count of Monte Cristo (and according to Benedict Anderson, influenced by the scandalous avant-garde novel A rebours (Against Nature) by Joris-Karl Huysmans). The colonial authorities knew this, so they shot Jose Rizal for writing Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
In France, critics of President Nicolas Sarkozy have weaponized The Princess of Cleves, the 17th century novel written by Madame de La Fayette (probably with a committee). Sarkozy brought it on himself. Two years ago, he criticized the ‘sadist or idiot’ who included questions about The Princess of Cleves in a civil service exam. (The novel is required reading in French schools.) Sarkozy was trying to sound populist/anti-elitist/cute; it got him a few laughs. (Allo, we know about playing to the masses. We elected Erap Estrada.)
Last year Sarkozy mocked the novel again, adding that he had ‘suffered’ through it as a schoolboy. Most schoolchildren past and present may have felt the same way, but the French are dead serious about their culture. Suddenly The Princess of Cleves has become a symbol of political resistance. There’s a new film adaptation. University teachers and students on strike have organized marathon readings of the novel. The book sold out at the Paris book fair. There are ‘I’m reading The Princess of Cleves’ buttons.
You have to hand it to the French: who else says Frak You by reading a 17th century novel?
During the Lenten holidays let’s remember that our national hero was a fiercely anticlerical writer. Perhaps it’s time to take another crack at the Noli and Fili.
The Princess of Cleves by Madame de La Fayette at Project Gutenberg.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
April 1st, 2009 at 08:53
Do you mean lack of interest in English books/materials? I think one of the reasons to this, is the lack of fluency in the English language, thus difficulty in comprehension.
If not this, why the popularity of “tagalog” komiks ?
I love Dr. Jose Rizal’s works, and would read them anytime.
April 1st, 2009 at 08:57
I believe that would be The Burghers of Calais.
April 1st, 2009 at 14:38
For some people, however, financial constraint is what’s limiting them in buying books. I, for instance, love to read but in as much as I would like to regularly replenish my very modest book collection, my budget wouldn’t let me. With prices of everything going up even as the price of gasoline is plunging, books have become a luxury for many in this country.
April 1st, 2009 at 22:28
I respectfully disagree with you bluefish. Even on a tight budget, you can purchase good titles from Book Sale at ridiculously low prices. The book itself may not be brand new but would still be good enough to read.
It all really depends on whether people value and prioritize reading which Filipinos in general do not. If financial contraint is really the issue, then why do I know so many people on a tight budget but needlessly own multiple cel phones?
April 2nd, 2009 at 00:22
The literacy gap is usually filled by having a present and active library system. Too bad the government couldn’t be bothered to do that. A citizenry that can read can be capable of critical thought. If there’s critical thought in our country, we have an informed voter base. If we have an informed voter base…well…you all know what I’m getting at here.
April 2nd, 2009 at 00:52
Regarding comment #1: I don’t think that’s true at all. In local NBS branches here (Cebu) for example, there’s just a couple of shelves for Filipino literature compared to a dozen or so shelves filled with imported (mostly English) books across all categories.
I completely agree with comment #3 regarding financial constraint. And public libraries here are virtually non-existent and where they exist they have antiquated titles.
April 2nd, 2009 at 17:12
It seems like you can’t play the Erap card in some countries, eh.
Oh and books. The poor twenty-something man’s iPod and PSP combo. Perfect for those arduous MRT trips filled with annoying muzak trivia-slingers.