Mass (novel)
Encyclopedia
Mass, also known as Mass: A Novel, is a 1973 historical
and political novel written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José
. Together with The Pretenders
, the Mass is the completion of José’s The Rosales Saga
, which is also known as the Rosales
Novels. The literary message of Mass was "a society intent only on calculating a man's price is one that ultimately devalues all men".
during the years prior to and after the imposition of Martial Law
in 1972, which occurred within the scope of the middle and the late periods of the twentieth century. It narrated about a movement advocating reform, the resulting struggle for human rights, students’ rights, tenants’ rights, and women’s rights, and mass protests that were manipulated by "fraudulent leaders". The uprising failed. One of the characters went back to Central Luzon
to discover his origins in order to rebuild his life.
. He is the illegitimate son of Antonio “Tony” Samson, the primary character in José’s The Pretenders. Pepe was also the great-grandson of Istak, the principal protagonist in José’s Po-on. Instead of becoming like his father who was enticed by wealth, Pepe became a follower of a former commander of the Hukbalahap
(Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon) rebels turned local affairs devotee and student leader in Manila
. Pepe Samson was raised by Emy in Cabugawan, then goes to live with an aunt in Manila in order to study in college. He became a drug dealer for a gangster named Kuya Nick. After leaving the illegal job, Pepe joined the revolutionary group known as The Brotherhood. In the end, Pepe committed a "revolutionary act".
Other characters included student activists, members of women’s liberation movement, drug addicts, and intellectuals. Some characters were from previous novels that were parts of The Rosales Saga.
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
and political novel written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José
F. Sionil José
F. Sionil José or in full Francisco Sionil José is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society...
. Together with The Pretenders
The Pretenders (novel)
The Pretenders is a 1962 historical novel written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José. It is the second to the last novel composing José’s series known as The Rosales Saga.-Description:...
, the Mass is the completion of José’s The Rosales Saga
The Rosales Saga
The Rosales Saga, also known as the Rosales Novels, is a series of five historical and political novels written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José...
, which is also known as the Rosales
Rosales, Pangasinan
Rosales is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. It is sometimes called as Carmen, Pangasinan based on its progressive barangay, Carmen...
Novels. The literary message of Mass was "a society intent only on calculating a man's price is one that ultimately devalues all men".
Description
The narrative of Mass pictured the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
during the years prior to and after the imposition of Martial Law
Martial Law in the Philippines
Martial law in the Philippines refers to the period of Philippine history where Philippine Presidents declare a proclamation to control unpacified places under the rule of Military, it is usually given when threatened by popular protests, or to crack down on the opposition...
in 1972, which occurred within the scope of the middle and the late periods of the twentieth century. It narrated about a movement advocating reform, the resulting struggle for human rights, students’ rights, tenants’ rights, and women’s rights, and mass protests that were manipulated by "fraudulent leaders". The uprising failed. One of the characters went back to Central Luzon
Central Luzon
Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...
to discover his origins in order to rebuild his life.
Characters
The main character of Mass is José “Pepe” Samson, a resident of Tondo, ManilaTondo, Manila
Tondo is a district of Manila, Philippines. The locale has existed prior to the arrival of the Spanish, referred to as "Tundun" in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. One of the most densely populated areas of land in the world, Tondo is located in the northwest portion of the city and is primarily...
. He is the illegitimate son of Antonio “Tony” Samson, the primary character in José’s The Pretenders. Pepe was also the great-grandson of Istak, the principal protagonist in José’s Po-on. Instead of becoming like his father who was enticed by wealth, Pepe became a follower of a former commander of the Hukbalahap
Hukbalahap
The Hukbalahap , was the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines , formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese Empire's occupation of the Philippines during World War II. It fought a second war from 1946 to 1954 against the pro-Western leaders of their newly independent country...
(Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon) rebels turned local affairs devotee and student leader in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. Pepe Samson was raised by Emy in Cabugawan, then goes to live with an aunt in Manila in order to study in college. He became a drug dealer for a gangster named Kuya Nick. After leaving the illegal job, Pepe joined the revolutionary group known as The Brotherhood. In the end, Pepe committed a "revolutionary act".
Other characters included student activists, members of women’s liberation movement, drug addicts, and intellectuals. Some characters were from previous novels that were parts of The Rosales Saga.