Feministic Approach

“Creation of Adam and Eve”

Feminist approach seeks to discover awareness, consciousness, and re- evaluation of women – their roles in life and their unconsciousness in literature. Women have been denied equal status with men, suppressed, have been treated as inferior creatures, or assumed to “natural” objects of violence from men.

CHARACTERS: (Bartolome Family)

Amanda - main character; wife of Julian and mother of five sons

Julian - husband of Amanda and father of five sons

Jules - eldest son of Amanda and JulianIsagani - the second sonEmmanuel - the third sonJason - the fourth sonBenjamin - the youngest son

“DEKADA ‘70” by: Lualhati BAutista

The defining but subversive Filipino novel, Dekada ’70 was made into film by Star Cinema in 2003. It is a story about a middle-class family caught in the middle of a tumultuous decade, become aware of the political policies that have ultimately led to repression and a state of martial law.

It details how this family struggled with and faced the new changes that empowered Filipinos to rise against the Marcos government. These series of events all happened after the suspension of the Writ Habeas Corpus, the proclamation of Martial Law, the bombing of Plaza Miranda, the random arrests of Political Prisoners. The oppressiveness of the Marcos regime made people become more radical.

This shaping of the decade are all witnessed by the female character, Amanda Bartolome, who realizes the implications of living within a dictatorship after sorting out the contradictory reactions of her husband and five sons. While Amanda’s sons grow, form individual beliefs and lead different lives.

Julian, her husband supports his eldest son’s (Jules) efforts to rail against the government while simultaneously refusing to condone Amanda's wish to find a job. Her second son Gani, grew up to become a sailor, and became the family's cream of the crop. Her third son Eman, writes illegal political exposes.

Her fourth son Jason, fell victim to a corrupt police department, and her youngest Bingo, is still a boy.  Amanda awakens her identity to state her stand as a Filipino citizen, mother, and woman. It appeal lies in the evolution of its characters that embody the new generation of Filipinos.

Questions:

What is the significance or values of the story Dekada '70?

How did Amanda fight for her right?

Why does Amanda wants to get separated with her husband Julian?

Prepared by:Divine Heidi G. Cabiguin