PROJECT

Republic of the Philippines
SURIGAO DEL NORTE STATE UNIVERSITY

Narciso Street, Surigao City 8400, Philippines
“For Nation’s
Greater Heights”
Name: Aloha J. Dela Peña Professor: Cristine Madelo

Program: MAEd- English Course: Eng 205- Literary Criticism
Instructions: Read the following:

(ROMANTIC PERIOD)
1. If you forget me by Pablo Neruda
2. How do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barret Browning
(VICTORIAN PERIOD)
1. Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe
2. If by Rudyard Kipling
To do:
1. Compare the Romantic Era vs. Victorian Era. Out of the
comparison, give your suggestion/ notion that you can suggest
to the society.
Romantic Era was characterized by a deep fascination with

nature, individualism, emotion, and the sublime. It can be described
as an evasive shift in cultural and philosophical sensibilities that
is clearly detectable in the mid-eighteenth century and reaches its
culmination in the early nineteenth century.
Unlike the Romantic Era, the Victorian Era was a time of
progression and an age of diverse regulations. Despite these
similarities, the two periods are distinguished by the works of art
produced in the time. The generalizations that apply to Romanticism
do not always apply to individual authors from the period. Whereas
in that period, an author often reflected their own thoughts in
their work, the Victorians often strove to give their writing a
moral lesson, often avoiding the uncongenial in the world around
them.
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“For Nation’s
Greater Heights”
Moreover, Romantic literature tends to emphasize a form of

inner or metaphysical creativity. It focuses on the natural and the
affective as aspects of the self. Increased interest in
metacognition is a fourfold increase of adjectives of self-awareness
compared to the increase of such words in the eighteenth century.
The concentration on inner creativity is fueled by a paradoxical
duality between self and other. To the Romantics, the imagination
was a defining feature of understanding the self and coming to terms
with the world. Imagination was viewed as a gateway to the
transcendent; to a higher reality. Nature was also seen as a deeply
spiritual subject which allowed the individual to connect with the
divine.
Though both periods cover love and relationships, many authors
had very different views. When discussing the period of Romanticism,
it is crucial not to overlook the impact of love in literature. In
fact, many of the Romantic poets paid special attention to the
natural world because of its connection to love. For some, nature
provided a setting in which to explore their relationship with
someone else. For others, it offered an alternative to the world of
men, where the poet and his affections would not be troubled by
social convention.
The Victorian Era was characterized by a more structured view
of society, heavily influenced by the rapid progress of the
Industrial Revolution. Authors such as Charles Dickens, George
Eliot, and the Brontë sisters depicted social classes, family
dynamics, and moral issues, often aiming to reform society and
address social injustices. Victorians valued restraint, duty, and
moral order, with a strong focus on social progress and
responsibilities.
As society becomes increasingly fast-paced and urbanized,
reconnecting with nature and reminiscing the literatures from both

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“For Nation’s
Greater Heights”
eras can help balance mental health, reduce stress, and bring a
sense of peace and perspective. The society can also benefit from
the Romantic emphasis on self-reflection and personal fulfillment,
encouraging people to value creativity, introspection, and the
exploration of individual passions. Furthermore, from the Victorian
era, people can take the importance of addressing social issues and
working toward progress for all. Victorians emphasized duty,
charity, and the need to uplift others—values that are still
essential today. As we confront challenges like economic inequality,
climate change, and digital transformation, Victorian ideals of
reform and ethical responsibility remind us of the importance of
building a society that is fair, compassionate, and inclusive.
Therefore, in blending the ideals of the Romantic and

Victorian eras, getting the concept from both Eras, we can create a
society that values both the beauty of individual creativity and the
importance of communal well-being. Prioritizing emotional health,
fostering a connection with nature, committing to social justice,
and approaching progress mindfully are all pathways to building a
society that honors both personal fulfillment and collective
responsibility.
2. Out in the four poems, choose one which you could relate to
share your personal experience.
Out of the four poems, I choose If by Rudyard Kipling, the said

poem deeply relates to my personal experiences. As I read the poem,
memories keep flashing back on my head. Especially, the following
lines:
If you can keep your head when all about you

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“For Nation’s
Greater Heights”
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
These lines relate to moments when I feel surrounded by chaos

or faced pressures from others in work or at home. I remember myself
whom keeping calm amidst others’ panic or criticism is a challenge
for me, but it’s something that I navigated, especially in dealing
various roles at home and work or when managing household
responsibilities. The first line speaks to the quiet strength of
staying level-headed in a world that often expects us or I, myself
to juggle multiple roles flawlessly.
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too…
I frequently encountered doubt from others, sometimes

questioning my own abilities. Whether it’s in making big life
decisions, pursuing careers, or standing up for myself, the above
line emphasizes the importance of self-belief while still
understanding others’ concerns—a balancing act that’s familiar to me
when I strove to assert myself in environments that may not fully
value my contributions.
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same
We already knew that LIFE brings both wins and setbacks, and I
am one of the many who encountered challenges in handling both with
grace. Whether it’s success in a career, challenges in
relationships, or personal accomplishments. The poem of Kipling
encourages me to be resilient and purposeful.

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“For Nation’s
Greater Heights”
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools…
The lines above intensely connected to my past experiences,

for I am often contended with being misunderstood or misrepresented,
whether in personal relationships or professional settings. But I
remained strong despite of the circumstances. Thus, this line
reflects the resilience required to hold onto one’s truth, even when
it’s distorted by others—a scenario familiar to me who I felt
pressure to conform or face skepticism in male-dominated
environments.
If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run…
For I am juggling multiple responsibilities—perhaps a career,

a family, personal goals, and community involvement—time is always
precious. Making the most of each “unforgiving minute” can resonate
with the determination required to balance it all, making progress
on dreams and commitments even in limited time.
Summarily, the essence of poem, IF by Rudyard Kipling— speaks
to universal qualities like resilience, patience, and courage, but
its guidance can be uniquely meaningful for me who find constantly
balancing, overcoming doubt, and staying grounded in the face of
life’s trials. For me, Kipling’s words echo a quiet strength for me
to draw on daily challenges, the poem further reminding me that
these virtues are often cultivated in the ordinary yet profound
experiences of everyday life.

URL: snsu.edu.ph
“For Nation’s
Greater Heights”

URL: snsu.edu.ph

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Republic of the Philippines

SURIGAO DEL NORTE STATE UNIVERSITY

Name: Aloha J. Dela Peña Professor: Cristine Madelo

Instructions: Read the following:

Romantic Era was characterized by a deep fascination with

Tel. Nos.: (086) 827-3741 Email: [email protected]

Moreover, Romantic literature tends to emphasize a form of

Tel. Nos.: (086) 827-3741 Email: [email protected]

Therefore, in blending the ideals of the Romantic and

Out of the four poems, I choose If by Rudyard Kipling, the said

If you can keep your head when all about you

Tel. Nos.: (086) 827-3741 Email: [email protected]

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

These lines relate to moments when I feel surrounded by chaos

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

I frequently encountered doubt from others, sometimes

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

Tel. Nos.: (086) 827-3741 Email: [email protected]

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

The lines above intensely connected to my past experiences,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

For I am juggling multiple responsibilities—perhaps a career,

Tel. Nos.: (086) 827-3741 Email: [email protected]

Tel. Nos.: (086) 827-3741 Email: [email protected]

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