Do we have a canon for Malaysian literary works? Let’s say we do, who do you think are in it? Consider the fact that their works are well-known and most importantly included as part of the school syllabus- (both in BM and English)
1. Lee Su Ann- The Curse
2. Latiff Mohidin- In the Midst of Hardship
3. Che Husna Azhari- Of Bunga Telur And Bally Shoes
4. Muhammad Haji Salleh- Si Tenggeng’s Homecoming
5. Keris Mas- Jungle of Hope
The poems by Erica Jong raises some feminist issues. What are they?Concept of women, marriages, roles of females and males, love, sexuality, freedom
Do you think they are suitable to teach at the secondary school level? Explain.I think that the poems are suitable to teach in the upper level of secondary school. They reflect truths and real identity of genders. They advocate students to look at things from different angles. Students nowadays need to be taught to learn about their gender responsibilities as a preparation for their coming future. Another important aspect is the moral values that should implement into students. Good moral such as loving, care, responsibity and commitment to other genders should be the guides to lead students to a more stability life.
Is Hillary Tham’s poem more suitable?
There is not fair to say whose poems are more suitable to be used as a text to teach. It depends on the teacher’s interpretations and how he or she passes the message to students. “Becoming a Woman” is a good poem that convey the message of how a girl become a woman. It teaches both the genders about personal hygiene, healthy life, self-esteem and reinforces respect among each other.
The short tale from the Native American group is about a girl who is unsatisfied with her life. How is this a universal experience? Can it teach our students anything?
The iroquois is a very interesting story to talk about satisfaction. It is a universal experience across all races, societies and countries. People are always greed to have more. They are sometimes not appreciating to the things and people around them. They keep chasing materialistic life and following their endless desire all their life.
Anyway, it does not mean that we hope for nothing and continues unsuccessful life. In light of this, we should teach our students to set short term and long term goals to achieve what they want. They should achieve the goals using proper ways and not beyond their abilities. By making appropriate planning, we can fulfill our desire, satisfy with our accomplishment, and finally enjoy the fruit of success.
From your findings about his background, tell me about the dilemma he conveys through the poem CROSS.
The dilemma of crossed races appears in the poem. The persona experiences deepest emotions and difficulty about his personality. He is confused by his heritage because he has a white father and a black mother. The society at that time discriminates the whites and the blacks. The pressure comes from the stereotype of the two races, making the persona to hate his parents. But he finally felt sorry for them. This poem reflects the oppression of the blacks who live in poverty, prejudice and inequality.
I find “Dinner Guest: Me” laden with irony and sarcasm. Briefly state if you feel the same.
The tone of the poem is irony and sarcasm. There are many lines about these two tones, for example, “I know I am the Negro problem, being wined and dined, Of darkness U.S.A.
The experience in the poem Harlem is one that is true for many people. Do you agree?
I agree. The poem is about dreams of the blacks. But they are dreams that never fulfill. The society of blacks was threatened and lived an unfair life. Their dreams had to be vanished, “like rotten meat”.
Langston Hughes fights for the voice of his people. What is the movement called?
Langston Hughes was a leader of the movement, Harlem Renaissance.
There is depth in your response. Good.
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