Imperialism Leaves a Mark

The nation - and the national history - of the Philippines is a central focus of Jessica Hagedorn's Dogeaters. Early in the play, the playwright establishes the history of colonization and conquest that has shaped modern Philippine society. The conquistadors of Spain, French missionaries, American expansionists, the Japanese forces of World War II - all have had a hand in occupying the island nation, and all have left a mark.

This mark comes first in the form of a racial and linguistic divide. In 1982, the native language of Tagalong has been reduced to a secondary tongue, like Gaelic in Ireland or Zulu in South Africa. It is spoken - and an indication of national pride - but no one intent on establishing himself in business or politics uses it as a first language. The West has established the ruling tongue as something in the Germanic...