Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn - 3664 Words

Dogeaters is Jessica Hagedorn’s first novel. The author returned to her native Philippines in 1988 to write the work, and it was published in 1990 when it received the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation. The novel reflects the eclectic life of its author whose experiences have included acting, singing, songwriting, and writing poetry, drama, and fiction. For the most part, Dogeaters has been well received by critics and scholars who commend its experimental nature and innovative writing style. Jessica Hagedorn is a well-respected post-colonial author whose works present gender, social, and cultural themes. Dogeaters is considered one of the most widely studied novels about the Philippines and is an important example of†¦show more content†¦By including marginalized and alienated characters of Manila’s subcultures (pimps, whores, sex workers, transvestites, sexual deviants), the novel comes very close to being pornographic in parts. The lang uage and sexual situations are graphic, perverted, and offensive, so educators are cautioned to carefully consider the appropriateness of this novel for teaching purposes. Although the major theme of the novel is the evils of colonialism, unlike many Diasporic writers, the United States is not Hagedorn’s only villain. The characters and the Philippine nation are guilty of victimizing themselves. While they may dream of escaping from a country where they can only passively watch to see what will happen, few actually do escape. Hagedorn explains that like Rio, she left the Philippines and â€Å"settled in the country of my oppressor† because the U.S. is a â€Å"country that allows you to reinvent yourself,† whereas in the Philippines, people can become trapped by politics, culture and money. Hagedorn has the same love/hate conflict that many Filipinos in Diaspora feel towards their country. In the introduction to her collection of poetry Danger and Beauty, Hagedorn explains that her work is a â€Å"love letter to my motherland: a fact and a fiction borne of rage, shame, pride.† Dogeaters | Introduction Dogeaters is a political and historical tale of the Philippines, enacted on a worldShow MoreRelatedEssay on Asian American1356 Words   |  6 Pagesand in Dogeaters, by Jessica Hagedorn, where many of the characters cease to acknowledge their own identity by living vicariously through movies, music and other American influences. In this essay, I will compare and contrast the portrayals of this self-hatred, and analyze how America influences it. I will also discuss resolutions, or escapes that these characters use to counteract this self-hatred. Self-hatred of the Filipino heritage is demonstrated throughout the novel Dogeaters, whichRead MoreList of Filipino Novels2107 Words   |  9 PagesBenipayo, 1956. [LITERARY FICTION] __________. Winds of April. U.P., 1998. [LITERARY FICTION] Gourlay, Candy. Tall Story. David Fickling Books, 2010. [YOUNG ADULT FICTION] Groyon, Vicente Garcia. Sky Over Dimas. DLSU, 2003. [LITERARY FICTION] Hagedorn, Jessica. Dogeaters. Pantheon, 1990. [HISTORICAL/LITERARY FICTION] __________. Dream Jungle. Viking Books, 2003. [HISTORICAL/LITERARY FICTION] __________. Gangster of Love. Houghton Mifflin, 1996. [LITERARY FICTION] Hermoso, Elizabeth. The Chair. Cellar, 1991