Search

This paper aims to analyze the works of two of the prominent nationalist writers during the Commonwealth Period: Amado V. Hernandez, who writes in Tagalog, and Salvador P. Lopez for the English language. Using their works that were written during the period - 'Kayumanggi at iba pang tula', a collection of poems by Hernandez, and selected essays like 'Proletarian Literature' and 'Literature and Society' by Lopez - the paper will identify the dominant ideas and views of the writers on writing the nation using their pen. It will also try to recognize and position the social role and responsibility of the writers during their time and milieu. From here, although there are significant distinct features and standpoints from which the two writers are concerned, Hernandez and Lopez maintained to be critical and nationalist amidst the systemic and all-out Americanization of the Filipino people for almost five decades of direct colonization of the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]