Author
Ariell Dawn B. De Los Santos*
Filamer Christian University Inc., Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines
Northern Iloilo State University, Iloilo, Philippines
Abstract
This survey-correlational research study examined the level of challenges in discerning literary themes and the level of ability to perceive the contemporary significance of senior high school students. Respondents were senior high school students at Balasan National High School, Balasan, Iloilo, during the school year 2025-2026. n=313 students were randomly selected to be part of this study. To gather the data, the researcher-made instruments were employed, including a 25-item multiple-choice test measuring challenges across five historical literary time periods and a 30-item 5-point Likert scale questionnaire to assess the perceived contemporary significance of literary themes. Statistical Tools used were mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, with a significance level p<0.05. The findings of the study revealed that the level of challenges in discerning literary themes associated with reading texts fell within the “High” level in the general range, particularly due to archaic language and technical linguistic structures that clash with the digital-age attention span. Perceived contemporary significance was at a “High” level within the general range, viewing the literature as a “mirror of life” relevant to social justice, identity, and personal experiences. There was “no significant relationship” between the challenges students face and the contemporary significance assigned to literary themes, this suggest that a student’s personal and aesthetic connection to a literary message is independent of their technical ability to decode complex texts.
Keywords: Literary themes, contemporary significance, senior high school students.
*Corresponding author / Email Address: lleiranwaddelossantos@gmail.com
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021206
Recommended citation:
De Los Santos, A. D. B. (2026). SHS students’ challenges in discerning literary themes and their ability to perceive contemporary significance. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (2), 5169-5184. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021206
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