Hand Out (Like The Molave)

Like The Molave (Middle Period: Poetry)
By: R. Zulueta da Costa
The middle period (1930-1960)
In Baguio, in 1958, an important national writer’s conference was held to discuss the role of the
Filipino writer in society. Also in 1958, a chapter of International Pen was inaugurated in the Philippines
with Alfredo T. Morales as its first president.
During the years 1930 to 1960 Philippine literature in English rapidly improved, especially in the
areas of the essay, the short story, and poetry.
Poems: The poetry of the Middle Period developed slowly. In the 1930s most poetry was still
romantic in character. Under the influence of Salvador P. Lopez, some poets like R. Zulueta da Costa
became more conscious of their environment and dealt with theme of injustice and oppression. Jose
Garcia Villa continued to lead the way for all poets with his creative innovations. In the late 1930s
Angela Manalang Gloria emerged as promising poet. She published her works in Poems just before
World War II.
From 1942 to 1945, few poems were written because of the war conditions and censorship.
However, a few poets living in the mountains managed to write verses. These poems were later
published in 1946 by Juan L. Raso in Guerilla Flower.
Rafael Zulueta da Costa (born 1915-1990)

 A Filipino poet
 He uses the name R. Zulueta da Costa as a writer, and Rafael Zulueta as a businessman
 He was a graduate of De La Salle College (now University) where he specialized in Business
Administration
 He began writing poems in Spanish and later he also wrote in English
 His famous artwork is Like the Molave and Other Poems which won the Commonwealth Literary
Award for Poetry in 1940
Definition of Terms
Sinews – strength
Flaccid – lacking strength or force : not firm
Smug – having or showing the annoying quality of people who feel very pleased or satisfied with their
abilities, achievements, etc.
Resilient – able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens
Staunch – steady, dedicated
Marmoreal – of, relating to, or suggestive of marble or a marble statue especially in coldness or
aloofness
OVERALL INTERPRETATION:
The main interpretation of the poem “LIKE A MOLAVE” is one regarding how the people of the
Philippines must work to make the nation stronger. The poem states that a region of the Philippines-
Rizal, cannot yet rest, as there is still much work to be done to make the area successful. At the
beginning of the poem, the poet outlines how the Philippines is dependent on other nation, and must
work towards becoming independent in the future in order to support its citizens. It also highlights the
importance of the younger generation and how they must fight for their country and improve the
Filipino way of living. The poet believes this will grant the nation’s freedom
Like a Molave also talks about heroes and how they inspire regular Filipinos to be great
themselves and join them on the quest to make the Philippines a more prosperous place. The poem is
about inspiring the Filipino Nation to improve their country and make it self-sufficient.
Sense of a Poem
Imagery
Your willing blood! Infuse the vibrant red
into our thin, anemic veins; until
(It appeals in our sense of sight.)
Figurative Language
Allusion
We pick up your Promethean tools and, strong
Promethean – from “Prometheus” a character from Greek mythology who was punished
by the gods for stealing fire from heavens to give to humans.
Personification
in us, and on the silent cliffs of freedom.
Simile
Strong in its own Fibre; yes like the molave!
Hyperbole
Out of the silent dreaming,
From the seven-thousand fold silence,
Apostrophe
O souls,
and spirits of the martyred brave, arise!
Alliteration
There are a thousand waters to be spanned
There are a thousand mountains to be crossed
There are a thousand crosses to be borne,
Sound of a Poem
Tone Color
Repetition of Sentences or Phrases
There are a thousand waters to be spanned
There are a thousand mountains to be crossed
There are a thousand crosses to be borne,
Yet the molave monument will stand

Yet the molave monument will rise
Repetition of Words
Not yet, Rizal, Not yet. The land has need
Type of Poetry
Lyric Poem
It is descriptive or expository in nature where the poet is concerned mainly with presenting a
scene in words, conveying sensory ideas or emotions.

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Hand Out (Like The Molave)

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Like The Molave (Middle Period: Poetry)

By: R. Zulueta da Costa

The middle period (1930-1960)

Rafael Zulueta da Costa (born 1915-1990)

Yet the molave monument will stand

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