On line Task 2

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)

As for me, I think  Usman Awang  has contributed a lot in literary works in Malaysia. No doubt, most of his writings are in Malaya Language but his works has also been translated in English. Usman Awang was more popularly known as ‘Tongkat Warrant’. Ke Makan Bonda, Salam Benua and Pahlawan are some of his famous  poems that had been studied in schools before.

Kamaludin bin Muhamad also has contributed much in the literary works in our country. He was known as one of the best bilingual poet in. He was also known as ‘Keris Mas. His works like ‘ Rimba Harapan’ is one among many of his famous novels.

The poems by Erica Jong raises some feminist issues. What are they?

Some feminist issues in Erica Jong poems are:

1.      Falling for love

2.      Women sexual desire

3.      Sex and immorality

Do you think they are suitable to teach at the secondary school level? Explain.

I think they are not suitable to be taught at the secondary level because the poems mostly revolves about women sexual encounters and often phrased in most blatantly prurient language. For example, the poem ‘for my husband’ a line quoted, ‘I have taken other men into my thoughts since I met you, I love parts of them’. The meaning of this line is concerning the persona’ s sexual desire which shows immorality. I strongly say that most of her poems are not suitable for our students.

Is Hillary Tham's poem more suitable?

 ‘Becoming women’ by Hillary Tham is more suitable to be taught in secondary school than the poems by Erica Jong. The poem is concerning a poet describing herself of her experience when she reached puberty. This is more relevant as the students in the secondary school must have already know what is ‘becoming women’ is all about. Even though, there are some aspects shouldn’t  be exposed in a co-ed schools but when compared to Erica’s poem, Hillary Tham’s  poem did not convey any immorality issues.    

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 short tale about a girl who is unsatisfied with her life is a universal experience because it is a human nature that we always not satisfy with what we have. We always want more and more in our lives. As for the girl in this story, she is not satisfied with all the men that proposed her. She complained, ‘That one is fat, this one is not handsome, too thin and etc. At the end, she met with someone who is really handsome in appearance but she has been misled by him. She regretted and got into her senses.

            This story can teach our students some good moral values. For instance, to be moderate in whatever thing we are doing, appreciate on what we have, do not take things for granted and accept whatever life gives us in the most beautiful way.      

   
From your findings about his background, tell me about the dilemma he conveys through the poem CROSS.

 Langston Hughes is actually in dilemma not knowing he belongs to what group of people, black or white. He is mixed breed between his mother and father; one is black and poor and the other is white and rich. He was stuck in the idle of two extremes, poor black America that was looked at with disgust by white America and rich, "ideal" white America was looked at with eyes of amazement and hate by black America. Hughes touched on the psychological hardships of being a mixture of black and white descent in this poem. From the poem, Hughes also showing how the blacks were unequivalent to the whites during that time period and he does not know where his life is going to take him. The whites were more respected and the blacks were neglected due to the slavery during that time.   

I find "Dinner Guest: Me" laden with irony and sarcasm. Briefly state if you feel the same.

I also felt that this poem is full of irony and sarcasm. As can be noticed the poem title itself is an irony “Dinner Guest: Me” actually refers to the poet being invited to a restaurant by white. At that time blacks are ill treated by whites and in such a situation the title is an irony beyond what it conveys. Another example of irony is a the discussion between the white and black is concerning a racial issue as stated in stanza 2, line 8 and 9 “ Solution to the Problem, Of course, wait”. Unlike irony, Sarcasm is a witty way of insulting someone without using obscene language. To quote an example from the poem in stanza 1, line 14, ‘I’m so ashamed of being white’ shows that the white is embarrassed to be white.   

The experience in the poem Harlem is one that is true for many people. Do you agree?

I agree that the Harlem poem is one that is true for many people. The poem is concerning by white on the black. This oppression issue is true for many people. Oppression is happening in many in our ways even present day. For instance, women are being oppressed by men and in many people are countries still been oppressed. 

Langston Hughes fights for the voice of his people. What is the movement called?

It was called the Harlem Renaissance cause proclaimed in a collection of prophetic black tracts and manifestos. During the early 1930s many black writers begin to produce works that helped to shape and define the Civil Rights movement. Among them was Langston Hughes whose poems and writing contributed directly to the rhetoric of the day and inspired many African-Americans, both in and out of the Civil Rights movement. Much of this grew out of what was called the Harlem Renaissance, which emerged during turbulent times for the world, the United States, and black Americans. World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 had left the world in disorder and stimulated anti-colonial movements throughout the third world. In America, twenty years of progressive reform ended with the red scare, race riots, and isolationism throughout 1919 and led to conservative administrations through the twenties. While blacks were stunned by racial violence near the end of the decade and were frustrated by the lack of racial progress that progressivism had made, they were now armed with new civil rights organizations and confronted the approaching decade with new hope and determination.