Pan An was talking to his best friend, Wang Lei. Both of them are already out for coffee as their way of drinking since the professor denied on drinking alcohol for the day.
"I need your opinion on this."
With Pan An and Wang Lei continuing to drink their coffee, Wang Lei sighed as he got Pan An's phone, reading briefly whatever the professor had prepared.
***
As we have established earlier, we are all entitled to our interpretations of a work of art, and all interpretations are correct and valid if these are founded on facts and not emotions and personal opinions.
With this in mind, political reding is one of the most common approaches in analyzing, interpreting, and hopefully, appreciating literature. Let us first define the word 'political' in this context.
Usually, when we hear the word, we immediately think of the government and the politicians involved in running the said government. The meaning I wish to emphasize in this context is about the dynamics of power.
Who holds more power, authority, or superiority over others?
Some would argue that this is all about oppression because he who holds power has the capability to oppress. Who is the oppressor and is oppressed?
The subcategories of this reading approach talk about how oppression manifests itself in different aspects of human life.
When we analyze how these relationships work, take note of how these relationships work and take place, and learn the root of these relationships, a new meaning of the text emerges. In a nutshell, political reading is looking for what makes literary text support or dismantle inequality.
***
"Huh…"
Wang Lei arched a brow at Pan An, stopping his reading for a while as he asked him a question.
"You have a class about political reading?"
"Yes," Pan An answered, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Since you're not telling me your woes for a while, then I want to ask trouble from you and look if my lesson for tomorrow is alright."
Wang Lei scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes at him.
"I asked you to come with me for you to listen to my problems and you're letting me read this?"
"Well…" Pan An trailed off, showing him a lopsided smile. "You interrupted my sweet time because you barged into my house! I should have at least ask for your opinion on this especially when I decided to give you my time for the inconvenience."
Wang Lei narrowed his eyes at him, finding how cunning his best friend was. However, he couldn't say no because he indeed has a point and besides, this is no trouble at all.
"Fine," Wang Lei said, now continuing to read Pan An's prepared lesson.
***
A. On Gender
How can oppression be based on gender? How can a literary piece (and in turn, the author, be problematic?)
Since time immemorial, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE)-based oppression and discrimination have been present, and today, there are still people who believe one gender is superior to others, or that somebody does not deserve the same rights as they do because of their gender.
This is one of the aspects political reading is looking at. It looks at the way SOGIE is represented in the text. The political reader looks at how the author represented SOGIE in the text and how the characters' SOGIE contribute to the overall narrative.
Political reading that is centered on gender does not only focus on female oppression but also on the LGBT community, with how homophobia is present in the author's voice, or how it is presented in the text.
The political reader focuses on the following questions: Are there traces of sexism? Misogyny (anger towards women)? Chauvinism (attitude of superiority toward members of the opposite sex)? Homophobia (irrational fear, aversion, or discrimination towards homosexuals)?
How was it presented in the text? What does it say about the author and their views? Most importantly, what is its implication in the real world?
***
As Wang Lei read this, he nodded slowly, saying his comment as he continued reading.
"This is a sensitive topic especially in our country that they're not open yet to this."
"I know," Pan An agreed, letting out a small sigh. "But the students now have to be open. Besides, this is a topic in our class and I would want to further broaden their thoughts and opinions about this and not be close-minded about it."
With that, Wang Lei gave him another nod, now reading the next part of his lesson.
***
B. On Race
One of the most prominent news in the past year (aside from the ongoing pandemic, of course) is the death of George Floyd which sparked the long-dormant conversation on racism not only in America but in the whole world.
This is then followed by cases of hate crime towards Asians in America. Racial political reading focuses on how racism (discrimination because of a person's place of origin and culture) is present in the author's voice and how it is present in the text.
The racial political reader asks: How does the race of the characters affect the story? Would the story's plot be the same if the characters' race is different? Is racism evident in the story? Did the author make choices that seem off and racist?
C. On Class
Based on Karl Marx's principles, the political reader also looks at how the characters' societal standing and financial status affect the story.
Political reading in class asks the questions: How does the financial status of the characters (and the author, in some cases) affect the story? What would have happened if the characters are born in a different social class? How are capitalism and consumerism evident in the story?
***
"Huh… actually an interesting topic. Even I, a lazy person, can participate in your lesson if given the chance to study again."
Pan An chuckled as he shook his head, finding his answer funny because even when they were young, Wang Lei was always one as a person who is lazy when it comes to studying.
But what Pan An found amazing was the fact that even though Wang Lei is lazy, he is incredibly smart and innovative. Which is why their father and their mother never hesitated for him to take on their family company.
W & S is indeed in good hands because of how Wang Lei handles things.
"Thank you," Pan An thanked him, now crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Now that you helped me, can you tell me what has been bothering you?"
With Wang Lei's lips turning into a tight line, he then felt uneasy telling about Yu Yan to his best friend.
He can tell him anything, yes—especially his moments of fooling around with other women.
However, with him being serious right of this moment, he wondered how Pan An would react to what he was about to hear.
"Wang Lei?"
As the professor called for his attention, Pan An arched a brow at him, cocking his head to the side as well as he wondered what had caught his tongue.
"Are you alright? Why are you suddenly quiet?"
"Well…" Wang Lei trailed off, now telling Pan An what has been worrying him. "I kissed Yu Yan."
"What?"
Pan An furrowed his brows, shocked and at the same time confused.
"How did that happen?"
"I… I don't know," Wang Lei said, running his hand through his hair. "She was crying before me because she was venting about not being a good mother. I told her that she was not, but seeing her that way, it just… it ached my heart, and it annoyed me. So much."
Pan An tried his best not to smile, thinking if he should tease him or not. But since this is something that even Wang Lei never does, he then decided to keep his teasing to himself and listened to him.
"But you kissed her?"
"Yes," Wang Lei answered, not hesitating to tell him. "I just… it just happened. It's as if I wanted to tell her that she's not, but before I even knew it, I wanted to kiss her and so I did."
"Like…" Pan An trailed off, nodding slowly as he asked him a question. "Like you wanted to prove to her through a simple action that she is doing a great job and is worth it?"
Wang Lei didn't answer him for a while. With him staring straight into her best friend's eyes, he then had the courage to be honest to himself, now telling him his whole-hearted answer.
"Yes. Like I wanted to tell her that she's doing great with her actions—and I felt… good."
Pan An actually liked what he heard. With him knowing that Wang Lei had been a womanizer for who knows how long, he was hoping for his improvement and change of not breaking women's hearts and so he thought right here and then…
That maybe Yu Yan was someone that he needed all along to make him wake up and become a better man.
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