Oppression amidst Socio-political Tapestry of Azucena Grajo Uranza’s “Bamboo in the Wind”

Abstract

Literature as a form of art captures life in all its varied forms and shapes. It reflects society and serves as a corrective mirror where people can look at themselves and find a reason to initiate a positive change. This study aims to thresh out the preponderance of oppression as a theme in the various facets of the novel through exposition of excerpts and surface out the corrective change manifested by the characters as written. The novel of Azucena Grajo Uranza entitled “Bamboo in the Wind” depicting a socio-political story anchored in Philippine history during the Marcosian era, was analyzed using the sociological and philosophical approach to literary criticism. Findings show that different forms of oppression were experienced by the characters in the novel. These include exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, and violence. These realities happened amidst the backdrop of martial law in the Marcosian era. The author was able to emulate the transformation of human consciousness of character and made apparent two significant learnings in man's experience, that of human dignification and being a man for others. The novel captures socio-political accounts that give life to history and is indeed a national treasure where Filipinos in contemporary times and people of various cultures may derive insights for human transformational learning.