Republic of the Philippines

ST. COLUMBAN COLLEGE

Pagadian City
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

A Journal Report
Of the
10 Literary Masterpieces of the World

In Partial Fulfillment in the Requirements for the Subject

World Literature

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Presented by
Reca Jean D. Dinopol, LPT

Presented to:
Marie Concepsion L. Celesio, MAED

January 5, 2019
Guy De Maupassant’s The Necklace

Mathilde is just like any ordinary woman in the modern world who desires to look fancy when invited to social
events. Being a poor woman who has gotten sick of poverty, the one night of party gave her glimpse of the life
she wanted for herself. That unfortunately didn’t happen since she was about to pay for the fake diamond she
thought was pure diamonds for ten years.

The necklace symbolizes the life of wealth and luxury that Mathilde has always dreamed of but could not attain.
Mathilde is a reflection of women who yearns to belong in the high society to the extent of becoming selfish,
greedy and foolish. Moreover, French culture is being portrayed in this classical story. At this time, wealth and
luxury are essential to getting recognized in the society. Beauty and sophistication alone could not identify one
as an important person. Mathilde, could only hope to keep up with the elite. Extreme desire for material
possessions and luxury in life led Mathilde to certain setbacks. She was even foolish enough to believe that the
necklace is authentic without even examining it first. Had they only been wiser and asked anyone about the
quality of the necklace, they wouldn’t have lived in suffering and poverty.

Even to this day, there are people who acts and commits themselves to being a socialite when they are actually
not. They live every day in a great pretense in order to keep up with the mighty and elite not realizing they only
make a fool out of themselves. At the end of the day, regrets and misfortunes are the only things they have
gained. The story of The Necklace teaches us one of the most valuable lessons in life-contentment; to live
humbly and not desire for fame or material possessions as it is not all there is to life.

Epic of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh earned his kingship through prayers by worshipping the gods. He was a tyrant, a strong male leader
in the City of Uruk- a part of the ancient city, Mesopotamia. Religion at this time is presented by a polytheistic
society. It plays a vital role to the characters and events of the story. Gods and goddesses intervene with the
lives of the mortals.

In this story, we witness a transformation of an unjustly to a justly king as gods enforce laws that makes up the
duties of a king. This reflects the laws of codes of Mesopotomia that governs all its subordinates. Gender
distinction is evident in the piece. Male gods are portrayed as the stronger and more powerful ones in contrast
to the female deities and characters. Women are mere subordinate figures to men. Wealth comes in hereditary
manner. Bloodline of generations keeps wealth and power justified. The society is warlike- strength and power
are essential to keeping the place in peace and order. Just like the modern society, religion plays an important
role to human lives sans the existence of gods and deities. However, certain changes in the manners of roles of
women and men changed dramatically. Equality between genders is observed. Women are no longer viewed as
subordinates to men. Both men and women are given equal treatment and opportunities.
The Great Flood

The Great Flood was sent by God to cleanse the world as humanity no longer lives up to His word. Humans had
lost faith to the Almighty Creator. Massive destruction and acts of injustices were displayed instead of love and
respect. As punishment, He brought this great destruction to humankind for its sinfulness and left only the ones
who hadn’t forgotten their Creator.

Out of all humankind at that time, God had seen and given favor to a man, Noah, for his righteousness. His faith
to His existence and laws is unfailing. Noah is obedient but not sinless. Since Adam and Eve, descendants of
humankind, disobeyed their Creator, human sin is existent. While building the gigantic ark, Noah endured the
mockery of people who thinks his preaches about repentance to God is stupidity. He could have saved humans
other than his family. However, its human’s refusal to obedience that caused them to be washed away in the
flood.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the
saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is
according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

Noah’s faith and obedience was his hope for salvation. Had he not honored God and His ways, humanity could
have been hopeless; or worse, extinct. Noah’s allegiance to the laws of God sets an example to today’s
generation. Faith and obedience is a powerful tool that only He can see.

In today’s world, humans have learned to distinguish the good and the bad. This creates awareness and sense of
spirituality. We are humbled by the prayers we recite each day. We repent for our sinfulness and heartily give
respect to one another. Noah’s story gives us the most valuable lessons in life, and awakening to our
commitment to God.

Homer’s Illiad

The story of Illiad centers on the raging war between the Trojans and Achaeans. The central character, Achilles,
born from the goddess Thetis and a mortal, is the leader of the troops of the Achaeans. This particular warrior is
the asset and ultimate weapon of the Greeks.

Such was I, as I lay through all the many nights unsleeping,

Such as I wore through the bloody days of the fighting,
Sabiduria, vol.1,1 Hero as a Reflection of Culture 3
Striving with warriors for the sake of these men‟s women.
But I say that I have stormed from my ships twelve cities
Of men, and by land eleven more. . . (9.325-9)

Violent, fierce and merciless-no war was ever defeated when Achilles fights alongside his warriors. He is
therefore glorified and honored by his comrades. Furthermore, he highly values his honor and glory. His
excessive pride, however, would become one of the cause of his downfall. When Agamemnon insulted his pride
after taking away his war prize, he refused to fight further along their troops. This character brought thousands
of their men to suffer in a losing battle with the Trojans. Achilles is their greatest warrior. Without him, no battle
can ever be won. Achilles remains deaf from Agamemnon’s plea. We can point out that Achilles has a vengeful
heart. Risking the lives of Achaeans, he seeks to punish Agamemnon for the insult.
In the Iliad, Achilles’ character reflected the culture at the time of Homeric Greece. Pride and honor are
extremely significant to the lives of the people. Bowing down and accepting forgiveness is not enough a price for
the offense made. If we relate it to the culture of today, we could observe some people who have dealt with
numerous conflicts in life because of their excessive pride. This could lead to misunderstandings and broken
relationships. If there’s a lesson the character of Achilles teaches us, it’s to be humble and merciful. His power is
weakened by his inability to see through people and give mercy to whom it is due for the greater cause.

Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote

Don Quixote is a character who has bright visions for the world he lives in. This vision however failed to let him
distinguish reality versus imagination. He failed to see that in every action is a corresponding consequence to
those he was trying to help. Instead of achieving good results, it only worsened every situation he had come
across. Don Quixote was pictured as fiercely intelligent but the foolishness of his actions would make the
readers question his sanity. In the end, Don Quixote accepted defeat due to his failures. His actions can be
rooted to his desire to transform people by asserting oneself thus creating unnecessary interventions on heated
situations. He ought to approach humans and correct their wrongdoings. Cervantes’ novel centers the story to
human folly and how values can result to in both positive and negative outcomes.

Don Quixote, in today’s culture, is every men and women who seeks reform from the injustices in the society.
Most of us aspire for a better community where justice is served to whom it is due. Crimes, abuses, horrific
punishments are experienced by those who are impoverished and have many disadvantages in life. However,
there are men and women, like Miguel de Cervantes, who puts words into action by leading the change. A few
become successful; a few did otherwise.

William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet

This is perhaps the most widely-known play in English literature. William Shakespeare centers the story on the
tragedy of two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who both ended their lives after a failed attempt to escape
their warring families and be free on their own.

The lover’s tragic death could have been avoided had it occurred in the modern times. Shakespeare, in his
writing, reflects the culture of the English era to which he had lived. During this period of Renaissance England,
there is only a shift in childhood to adulthood and no in between. Unlike today, adolescence and the stage of
adulthood at that time were not recognized. Parents marry off their children to a suitable partner with whom
their families can unite. In the case of Romeo and Juliet, both of their houses developed this hatred that had
been going on for years. It’s an unfortunate fate that neither Romeo and Juliet can put a stop to this conflict only
until their death.

Nowadays, parents still put a grip onto their children when it concerns their intimate relationship. However,
they act only as guides and advisers. Gone are the days when children are forced to marry a person they do not
love. Parents can no longer enforce arrange marriage in most of today’s culture. People have the freedom to
choose whom they admire and who they want to be with for a lifetime.

Ramayana

Considered one of the two great Indian epics, The Ramayana tells about life in India around 500 to 100 BCE. This
literary piece basically teaches Indians the Dharma, which may be translated as truth, justice and duty. Rama,
the protagonist, is the reincarnation of the god Vishnu. He encountered challenges as he fights against evil
forces along with his lover Sita. Rama is pictured as a perfect man of moral conduct and great power and
strength.

Ramayana centralizes on the opposing forces of good and evil. Rama, a god who has taken the human form,
lives up to the virtues of the dharma and makes an exemplary hero.

Today, the readings of Ramayana still greatly impact the lives of Indians who lives in righteousness and virtues.
Hinduism had shaped Ramayana’s distinct characters, philosophies, and morals, which is the driving force of
India still today.

Khalil Gibran

The Prophet

Khalil Gibran presents the world and its undesirable social practices in the time of writing his book The Prophet.
He personifies himself in the voice of Al Mustafa. Gibran thinks the world lacks love and peace; lives of the
people are corrupted. In this book, Gibran preaches on individual conducts, rituals and morals.

Gibran sees the world as unethical and undisciplined. The destructive power of World War I led the people to
psychological and spiritual distress having had the terrible experience of the war. Societies were affected and
there is a decline of social values. Gibran steps in to teach people values and ethics which they seem to have
forgotten.

When love beckons to you follow him,

Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him.

He emphasizes on love- as if it was the most important thing that was robbed from humanity.
This piece still rings true up to this day.