"The Rise of English" by Terry Eagleton

Describe/discuss Eagleton’s view of the nationalistic motivations behind the rise of English studies in the early 20th century. Do you think such situation could happen in our country, say, the rise of Cebuano or Filipino studies in the future?

In England, during mid-Victorian period, “utilitarianism and early industrial capitalism were dominant” which created a conflict and a clash between the working class and the nobles. The situation seemed uncontrollable. Matthew Arnold, witnessing the event, believed that it should be the function of the middle-class to educate the working class with “the best culture of their nation” to avoid anarchy. It was then the English literature that provided the ‘universal’ values which encourage solidarity across classes and shared national identity. Thus, the English started to become patriotic and nationalistic to embrace English Literature. In 1930s, finally, English as subject then became popular, powerful, established, and important (as it is discussed and studied today) to the working class, middle class, and even the nobles.
The way I see the Philippine situation, I would like to think that it is impossible for a Cebuano literature to rise. English literature rose because the English people had the spirit of nationalism and patriotism (they read English literature)—but most Cebuanos don’t posses these traits. Although there are magazines, comics, newspapers, and literary works (like poems and short stories) in Cebuano, only few (mostly the elderly) are reading and appreciating them. What the youth (the future generation) are reading are novels like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, and comics like Marvel Heroes. These texts definitely are written in English. Furthermore, more and more youth are learning the English language (with hopes to become near-natives) in preparation for call center companies which provide them with a bigger salary than other first-time-work pay. In texting, more youth are exchanging messages in English or Ceblish (Cebuano-English). I’m not really sure but this is how I get it: the more they sound and look American, the better. With the influence of Western culture and ideology in the Philippines, the rise of Cebuano literature is impossible.