BYUH students share their country’s representative literary works and authors
Literature serves as a mirror of society across the world, reflecting its culture, values, history, struggles and identity, said BYU–Hawaii students. From the revolutionary novel of José Rizal in the Philippines to the timeless teachings of Valmiki in India, students shared the literary works that have shaped their nations and continue to inspire generations today.
“Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not) by José Rizal (Philippines)
Sweet Garancho, a freshman majoring in psychology from the Philippines, said “‘Noli Me Tangere’ (Touch Me Not)” is a piece of literature that most represents her nation. “It is unique because it was written to raise awareness of social conditions and Spanish tyranny in the country,” she said. Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, wrote it as a plea to stop the unfairness and the corruption, sparking the revolution that freed the Filipinos from the control of Spain, she shared.
The story follows Crisostomo Ibarra, a young man who returns to the Philippines after studying abroad and dreams of helping his country, explained Garancho. She added Ibarra learns the truth behind his father’s death, faces excommunication from a corrupt church, and struggles against the oppression of colonizers, facing numerous problems and tragedies in society.
Garancho emphasized Rizal’s message is evident in the novel that shows the blatant corruption and injustices in the society people face daily, encouraging Filipinos to be courageous and stand firm on their values.
“Rizal used his talents to stand against the Spaniards who abused Filipinos, inspiring them to dream and fight for their freedom,” Garancho said. She shared Rizal was also a doctor, artist and poet. Like Ibarra, he studied abroad and wants return to the Philippines to help ordinary folks.
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald (USA)
“The Great Gatsby” shows a representation of America, even though it’s difficult to capture every aspect in one book due to its large communities and diverse cultures, shared Mark Redd, a senior majoring in English from California. “The novel serves as a commentary on Americans, reflecting their anxieties, fears and hopes, depicting the struggles of the American dream,” he said.
Set in 1920s New York, when America was shaping its cultural identity, the story begins with Nick, the narrator, meeting his neighbor Gatsby, a mysterious man who throws lavish parties. explained Redd. The secrets and internal turmoils of Gatsby and the other characters are unveiled as the plot develops. “It critiques both opulence and the dream of upward mobility with a romanticized but cynical voice,” shared Redd.
Capturing both achievement and flaws, the story shows the shallowness of attempting to find fulfillment through materialism, shared Redd. He explained the author, Fitzgerald, was a writer who engaged in diverse genres. Growing up with internal conflict mainly due to the financial situation of his family inspired him to write from a place of disillusionment with American society.
“The Great Gatsby” wasn’t successful in Fitzgerald’s lifetime. It was only after his death that this work was examined for its literary merit, shared Redd.
Poetry by Ho Xuân Huong (Vietnam)
“Ho Xuân Huong’s poetry is one of the most unique and representative literary works of Vietnam,” said Mai Vo, a freshman from Vietnam majoring in communication, media and culture. Her poems, written in Nôm script, native Vietnamese characters, use witty and satirical language to critique the feudal system and highlight the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, shared Vo.
Redd said, “She used clever wordplay and double meanings to challenge societal norms while expressing women’s strength.” In one of her most famous poems, “The Floating Rice Cake,” Huong transforms an ordinary object—the floating rice cake—into a powerful metaphor. It symbolizes female strength and endurance, adding layers of context. Vo said Huong’s poetry reflects the wit, resilience, and rebellious spirit of the Vietnamese people, especially women.
Vo shared Ho Xuân Huong was a poet known as the Queen of Nôm Poetry. “She was one of the first poets to discuss female desire, emotions,and struggles openly,” she said. Vo also said she is celebrated as a symbol of feminism and resistance against outdated traditions in modern Vietnam. Her works continue to inspire and challenge readers with her sharp humor and deep insights into human nature and society, she said.
“My Nature Land” by Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj (Mongolia)
Reciting the poem, Purevsuren Tovuudorj, a sophomore majoring in business marketing from Mongolia, shared, “This, this is my native land, The lovely country – My Mongolia. Land where all is covered with snow and ice in winter. And the grasses twinkle like glass and crystal. Land where all is a carpet of flowers in summer. And full of songbirds from the distant lands of the South.” Tovuudorj shared this line describes and appreciates the beauty and uniqueness of Mongolia’s nature, from its blue sky to the deserts.
“Every person is tied to the places they were born in, deep inside their heart. The place I was born in will always be tied to my heart,” expressed Tovuudorj.
She shared the poem reminds her of Mongolia and its environmental value. “Even though the environment changed, it helps me remember how it was before and how we want to save our homeland’s nature for the future,” she said.
Tovuudorj shared the author, Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj, is a legendary author of modern Mongolia. She shared Natsagdorj not only wrote about the nature of Mongolia but also the reality of society and values in daily life to enlighten people.
“Counting the Stars at Night” by Yoon Dong-Ju (Korea
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Self-reflection and beautiful recollections through the narrator, who has left his family and hometown, looking wistfully at the night sky, “The Starry Night” by Yoon Dong-Ju is a work Koreans admire, said Hyojin Cho, a freshman majoring in accounting from South Korea. “Through this poem, we can see the spirit of resilience and justice to preserve the identity during the Japanese occupation,” she shared.
The poem represents the humility of the people, who try to improve by reflecting on themselves, she added. Cho shared, “This piece is special because it metaphorically expresses nostalgia, reflection and hope through seasonal changes.” In particular, she said the artist effectively conveys the message by including symbolic meanings in every object.
As an example, Cho said, “The night and winter represent hardships and trials, while spring represents hope, life and the liberation of the motherland. Finally, the stars are objects of longing that evoke memories and represent the speaker’s inner world,” she said.
Yoon Dong-ju was a Korean poet, writer, and independence activist born during the Japanese occupation. He wrote more than 100 poems and died in prison at the early age of 27. He is a historical figure for Koreans, known for his reflective and volitional style of writing that reflects Korean sentiment, said Cho.
“Phra Apahai Mani” by Sunthorn Phu (Thailand)
Samila Araktham, a sophomore from Thailand majoring in TESOL, shared, “Phra Aphai Mani” by Sunthorn Phu is the literary work that most represents Thailand. The book title translates to Jewel of Forgiveness in English, and it speaks about freedom and peace in spreading enlightenment.
The story starts with a prince who is more interested in music to seek peace rather than learning governance to be a king, shared Araktham. He goes through a series of fantastical adventures, a challenging love story with a mermaid, and their son traveling around the world to find him, she added. “From all these journeys, we see the development of the characters, how they gain an understanding of the world and become wise. It teaches moral values with entertaining stories and intricate verses,” Araktham said.
She said the author, Sunthorn Pu, is a legendary poet in Thailand. His work is widely loved and studied by people. Unlike most writers from noble families in that era, he was an ordinary person, she explained. “When language was only accessible to people in higher society, he showed that even a normal person could write good literature,” she said.
She said he wrote this piece in prison while trying to earn money for his release. She added after his death, the public produced more literature, inspired by his legacy to learn and write about the language and their stories.
“Ramayana” by Valmiki (India)
Neelima Mungamuri, a sophomore from India majoring in social work and intercultural peacebuilding, shared “Ramayana” is a literary work representing India. “It shows us how to be a good son, king and human. Regardless of the diverse religions in India, it unites people by its wise teachings,” she said.
The story of Ramayana starts with the king ordering his eldest son to leave the kingdom for 14 years, explained Mungamuri. Together with his faithful wife and brother, the son obeys and begins a long journey, she explained. Incorporating its mythical and intriguing story with answers to questions humankind has pondered over centuries, the “Ramayana” covers a broad spectrum of ethics, she shared. “In human relations, the story focuses on obeying parents, being loyal to the spouse, and cherishing family and friends around us. The story values and promotes love in humankind,” said Mungamuri. These valuable lessons are recreated in different forms and are widely loved in Indian society, she said.
Considered the legendary poet of India, Mungamuri shared Valmiki’s greatness lay in transforming valuable yet profound life lessons into a form every member of society could understand. “His enlightening teachings inspired people to have love and compassion,” she shared.