66 pages • 2-hour read
Dogeaters
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Background
Historical Context: Colonial History of the Philippines
The Philippines, a nation of over 7,000 islands, has a history marked by foreign conquests, cultural amalgamation, and resistance, all of which lay the groundwork for Hagedorn’s novel.
The Philippine archipelago was first unified under the name Las Islas Filipinas during the Spanish colonization in the mid-1500s. The Spanish colonial rule, lasting for almost 400 years, introduced Christianity and reshaped the sociocultural landscape. The Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade linked the Philippines to the global economy, yet also entrenched economic dependency. The Spanish class system created a societal stratification, privileging those of European descent while marginalizing indigenous and mixed-race populations.
However, Spanish rule was not monolithic across the archipelago. The geographical challenges and the diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups meant that Spanish influence varied greatly. While Christianity permeated many regions, some areas, especially in the southern islands, maintained their Islamic faith.
The late 18th century saw the rise of revolutionaries like Gabriela and Diego Silang, and later, figures such as José Rizal, Andrés Bonifacio, and Emilio Jacinto, catalyzing the movement for independence. Rizal’s execution in 1896 fueled revolutionary fervor, culminating in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule.
The Spanish-American War of 1898 shifted the Philippines’ colonial master from Spain to the United States. The Treaty of Paris in 1898 formalized this transfer, leading to the Philippine-American War. The American period introduced English as the dominant language, fostering a new educational system and bringing in American cultural influences.
During World War II, the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945 saw severe atrocities and widespread resistance from Filipinos. Post-war, the Treaty of Manila in 1946 finally recognized the Philippines as an independent republic.
Dogeaters is set against this backdrop, a nation shaped by centuries of colonial rule and a mosaic of cultural influences. The novel captures the essence of Manila in the 1950s, a city and society at the crossroads of its colonial past and the quest for a new national identity.
Cultural Context: American Cultural Influence Post-World War II
Post-World War II, American influence became increasingly prominent, especially in urban areas like Manila. This influence was visible in the growing popularity of American-style commercialism, cinema, and music. The influx of American culture created a setting where traditional Filipino customs coexisted with modern, Westernized practices.
During this era, Manila experienced rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading to significant social and economic changes. The class system, a vestige of the colonial era, became more pronounced, with a widening gap between the landowning elite and the working class. This divide is a central theme in Dogeaters.
The novel also delves into the vibrant nightlife and entertainment industry of 1950s Manila, a symbol of the city’s modernization. This burgeoning entertainment scene, juxtaposed with traditional Filipino values, captures the essence of a society in transition.
Literary Context: Fragmented Narratives in Postcolonial Literature
Dogeaters is a postcolonial novel, a category that explores the impacts and aftermath of colonial rule. Set in the 1950s Philippines, a time marked by the end of American occupation and influenced by centuries of Spanish rule, the novel captures the complexities of a nation in transition.
A key characteristic of postcolonial literature, and one that Dogeaters exemplifies, is its fragmented narrative structure. This approach effectively portrays a society where diverse voices and experiences intersect, reflecting the ongoing negotiations of history, culture, and identity in the wake of colonialism.
Hagedorn’s work aligns with notable postcolonial novels such as Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1958), which addresses the effects of colonialism in Nigeria, and Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children (1981), a narrative set against the backdrop of post-independence India. Dogeaters similarly sheds light on the Filipino experience during a transformative era, examining the remnants of colonial influence and the challenges of establishing a distinct national identity.
Authorial Context: Jessica Hagedorn
Born in Manila and relocating to San Francisco at the age of 14 in 1963, Hagedorn is heavily influenced by her transnational background. Her experiences in the Philippines and the United States significantly shape her literary perspective, offering a unique blend of Southeast Asian and Western cultural insights. This bicultural experience is evident in Dogeaters, where she delves into the impact of American imperialism and popular culture on Asian American and Filipinx American identities.
Hagedorn’s time in the Bay Area, a period marked by her involvement as an activist writer played a pivotal role in shaping her literary voice. This period of her life was characterized by an exploration of transnational Filipinx activism, which is reflected in her work’s themes of resistance and identity formation.
Her accolades, including the prestigious 2021 Rome Prize for Literature, a Guggenheim Fiction Fellowship, and a Philippine National Book Award, speak to the critical acclaim her work has received. Dogeaters, published in 1990, stands out as a landmark in her career. Its adaptation for the stage, performed at various venues across the United States, attests to the novel’s enduring impact and relevance.
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