Wikipedia article
'Mass', also known as 'Mass: A Novel', is a 1973 historical and political novel written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil Jos.[[http://nationalartists.panitikan.com.ph/fsjose.htm "Mass"] , Francisco Sionil Jos, The National Artist for Literature, nationalartists.panitikan.com] Together with 'The Pretenders', the 'Mass' is the completion of Joss 'The Rosales Saga',[[http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Samsons/F-Sionil-Jose/e/9780375752445 "Mass"], Samsons: The Pretenders and Mass F. Sionil Jos, barnesandnoble.com][[http://www.palhbooks.com/jose.htm "Mass"], The Samsons: The Pretenders and Mass by F. Sionil Jos, Modern Library, 432 pages, palhbooks.com] which is also known as the 'Rosales Novels'.[Yoser, Elizabeth G. [https://www.jstor.org/pss/40144014 Under the Balete Tree: F. Sionil Joss Rosales Novels], World Literature Today, Vol. 62, No. 1 (Winter, 1988), University of Oklahoma, pp. 82-84, jstor.org] The literary message of 'Mass' was "a society intent only on calculating a man's price is one that ultimately devalues all men".[
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Description
The narrative of 'Mass' pictures the Philippines during the years prior to and after the imposition of Martial Law in 1972,[. It depicts a movement advocating reform, the resulting struggle for human rights, students rights, tenants rights, and womens rights, and mass protests that were manipulated by "fraudulent leaders". The uprising fails, and one of the characters goes back to Central Luzon to discover his origins in order to rebuild his life.][
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Characters
The main character of 'Mass' is Jos Pepe[ Samson, a resident of Tondo, Manila. He is the illegitimate son of Antonio Tony Samson, the primary character in Joss 'The Pretenders'.][ Pepe is also the great-grandson of Istak, the principal protagonist in Joss '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 is raised by Emy in Cabugawan, then goes to live with an aunt in Manila in order to study in college. He becomes a drug dealer for a gangster named Kuya Nick. After leaving the illegal job, Pepe joins the revolutionary group known as The Brotherhood. In the end, Pepe commits a "revolutionary act".][
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Other characters included student activists, members of womens liberation movement, drug addicts, and intellectuals. Some characters are from previous novels of 'The Rosales Saga'.[Yabes, Leopoldo Y. and Judson Knight. [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401500542.html "Mass"] by F(rancisco) Sionil Jos, Contemporary Novelists, 2001, The Gale Group Inc., Farmington Hills, Michigan, encyclopedia.com]
References
Category:Novels by F. Sionil Jos
Category:Historical novels
Category:Political novels
Category:1973 novels
Category:Philippine English-language novels
Category:Novels set in Manila
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