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Sherds (novel)

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Wikipedia article




'Sherds' (fragments of pottery or "potsherds") is a 2007 short novel or novelette written by Filipino National Artist for LiteratureMallari, Perry Gil S. [http://archives.manilatimes.net/national/2009/jan/09/yehey/life/20090109lif1.html Sherds: The latest novel of National Artist for Literature Francisco Sionil Jos] , Fragments of Truth, Book Review, Life & Times, The Manila Times, January 9, 2009, archives.manilatimes.net and multi-awarded[http://www.negroschronicle.com/final/mar_23_08/12.pdf Commencement Speaker - Francisco Sionil Jose], Foundation Time Community Page, negroschronicle.com author F. Sionil Jos. According to Elmer A. Ordoez, a writer from 'The Manila Times', in 'Sherds' Jos achieved lyrical effects, specially in the novels final chapters, by putting into good use Joseph Conrads and Ford Madox Fords so-called 'progression deffet' (literally "progression of the effect"). 'Sherds' is the latest and last novel by Jos. According to 'The Atlantic' National Correspondent James Fallows, the novel is dedicated to the authors wife Teresita Jos.Fallows, James. [https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2009/03/frankie-jose/9670/ Frankie Jos], The Atlantic, March 5, 2009, theatlantic.com The novel, which can be read in one sitting, was described by Li-an de la Cruz-Busto, a reporter for 'Sun.Star Davao' as very light but candid and insightful,De la Cruz-Busto, Li-an.[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/busto-instant-fan Busto: Instant fan], Choices, Sun.Star Davao, January 17, 2009, sunstar.com.ph a description that complements 'The Manila Times' reporter Perry Gil S. Mallaris calling Joss 'Sherds' as an easy read and a guaranteed page-turner. A novel composed of twelve chapters with a "tight and palpable" narrative pacing, 'Sherds' deals with topics related to "personal conscience, greed and the position of art" in social class struggle, thus serving as a cogitation on "what is wrong" with the Philippines as a nation. Jos wrote 'Sherds' while he was in Japan.

Description



Like Joss other novels and stories such as the 'Rosales Saga', 'Sherds' is another presentation and meditation by the author regarding class conflict and malaise in society in the Philippines through the use of non-ideological terms and sharing of his personal knowledge of the travails of the original tillers of the soil and the dispossession of the land-tillers through the workings of the oligarchs.

Employing a story-telling technique that begins with the ending of the story, in 'medias res', Jos narrates the tale of the discovery made by Peter Gregory Golangco (also known simply as PG Golangco), a pottery-and-ceramics artist, art professor, and aesthete, through the Pygmalion-like nurturing of Guia Espiritu, Golangcos student who has an elemental idea of art that is grounded in the clay of oppressed people of the Philippine countryside.Ordoez, Elmer A. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080122081721/http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/jan/19/yehey/opinion/20080119opi2.html The Education of an Aesthete], The Other View, Opinion, The Manila Times (2001) January 19, 2008, manilatimes.net

As an art and society novel, the ninth chapter of 'Sherds' showed Golangco as an aesthete questioned about his pose and position regarding social protest and his views about Pablo Picasso and Francisco Goya during an art exhibit. Golangco is a believer that art thrives on freedom. However, a guest during the exhibition countered Golangcos belief by saying that freedom is a political condition and that Golangco is a free person because of influence and the financial means to buy freedom, which is contrary to the so-called unpampered and unfree artists of the people. Despite such "questioning", Golangco was applauded. Surprised, Golangco retreated to Caf Guernica, where he became almost inconsolable until Golangco was reassured by two female companions. According to Elmer A. Ordoez, this scene in 'Sherds', is where Golangcos education of the aesthete started.

The novel is full of symbolism. The primary example of such usage of symbolism is the clay used by PG Golangco in making pots. The clay symbolizes the oppressed villagers in Espiritu's barrio. As a symbolic element of the narrative, the clay has a fundamental function at the finale of the novel.

Principal characters



The major protagonists of the novel are Peter Gregory Golangco and Guia Espiritu. Golangco, a recognized art scholar abroad and a member of a hacienda-owning clan, was a student, artist, academic, and occasional sybaritic delights indulger who decided to return to the Philippines. Golangco was oblivious to the fact that the Golangcos who stayed in the Philippines were the source of oppression, death, and poverty in the village in his hometown. The Golangco clan has a thriving business enterprise inside and outside the Philippines. The clan also participated in Philippine politics through elections and accepting appointments to positions at the higher echelons of the Philippine Government. PG Golangco had a long-standing affair with the dean of the university where he is teaching. The dean was a former student of Golangco. PG Golangco was unaware that the Golangcos were responsible for the demise of the parents of Guia Espiritu, Golangco's student.

Guia Espiritu is Golangcos student-assistant and protg in grooming. Espiritu described the Philippines as a country and society that remained semi-feudal and semi-colonial. Despite being the art student, Espiritu became Golangcos educator of the aesthete. Espiritu introduced and mentored Golangco about the clay and pottery practices of her parents and in her village. Such introduction and mentoring lead Golangco to the aesthetics and pedagogy of the oppressed and the dispossessed, and eventually to Golangcos discovery of Espiritus origins. Golangco became intrigued by of the strange happenings in his own household and dealings with Espiritu.

References



Category:Political novels

Category:2007 novels

Category:Novels by F. Sionil Jos

Category:Philippine English-language novels

Category:Novels set in the Philippines

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