It is this economic condition of affairs that forms the taproot of Imperialism: existence of foreign trade.

The 1st – 3rd stanza talk about the awe and wonder associated with science and technology: the ability of the plane to cut long distances and discover the moon contrary to popular beliefs.

Ngunit sa kanya, nang ang Apolo’y nakipagniig,Nakitang siya’y sahol sa dilag ng ating langit,Walang anyaya ng ating lupang kaibig-ibigO kabiguan ng sinungaling na panaginip!Pangakong hungkag ng bahagharing hindi malirip!

Gayunman, Buwa’y mutyang busilak sa gunamgunam,Sa diwang hapo at pusong sawi’y, pag-asang bughaw,Isang ligaya ng ngayong tayo’y magkahiwalay,Sa kaluluwa’y kanyang liwanag ang tumatanglaw,At nagsasamyo ng alaala at pagmamahal

Kaginsa-ginsa’y lalapag ako sa piling lungsodNg kabihasnan at mawawala sa gayong agos;Sa pangonorin, namimindong pang Buwa’y palubog;Paalam, hanggang sa mahiwagang gabing susunod;Habang sa lupa ay sigla’t buhay, pakikihamok,Agham-himalang mandi’y palalong hamon sa Diyos,Walang hinayang sa ginto’t utak na sinusunogUpang ang Buwa’y buong sakupin…at kung masakop,Matubos kaya ang bilyong tao sa buhay-hayop?

The poem is an assertion of the power of the writer

daigdigtula ako

The poem is an assertion of the power of individuality, characteristic of modernist and liberalist ethos.

Greta Garbo articulates the illusion of many Filipinas (in this case, Monina Vargas) to be like their colonizers, white and beautiful. Media and education were the ideological state apparatuses to refashion the likes of Monina. Similarly, Dead Stars is about the illusory and romantic relations of people, symptomatic of Americanization.

Arguably, Bakya is one classic example of short story that articulates the unrest and resistance of Filipinos against corrupt state and colonialism. Literature will be divided as to what the purpose of writing should be: social change or art for art’s sake.