LITERATURE MODULEPOEMS
By : Suziana Muhammad
What Is A Poem?A creative form of writing usually written in
verseExpresses the emotions and feelings of a poetUsually ends in rhymes and if it doesn’t, it is
known as free verseA group of lines is called a stanzaThe speaker / persona refers to the voice in
the poem
In The Midst Of HardshipThe poem is about the experience of a group of villagers who go out to search for a lost albino buffalo. They spend a whole day and night braving a terrible flood, amidst dead animals and floating pieces of bark. In spite of their difficulties, discomfort and failed mission, they remain calm, hopeful in high spirits.
ThemeConsequences of flood on flood victimsFacing hardship with optimism
Message• We must always look at the positive side of things.• We must accept the hardship we are in and be
resilient.
Tone• Acceptance• Cheerfulness
Symbolism
And aproached the stove compared to doing something cheerful after a bad experience.
Desperately looking for their son’s albino buffalo compared to doing something difficult during a bad flood.
Metaphor
• Legs full of wounds symbolises the suffering of people during a flood.
• Bloated carcasses symbolises the horror of flood.
He Had Such Quiet EyesThis poem is about a lady who is
captivated by the quiet eyes of a young man. The lady believes she sees in those eyes mirroring the sadness within him and begging her for love and kindness so as to give him happiness. She is not wise enough to listen to advice and as a result, the young man deceives her.
ThemeDeceitImportance of listening to good advice
MessageWe must not be deluded by looks or appearance.We must listen to advice that is good for us.
ToneSeriousFriendly
SymbolismQuiet eyes – eyes that do not ‘speak’ or show
much emotion.Pools of lies – areas of deceitThinnest ice – a thin veil that is easy to see
throughEyes breathing desolate sighs – eyes that pour
out sadnessParadise – a state of blissThe hows and whys – a difficult situation where
solutions are not easily foundLosing at dice – losing at a game of chance
NatureThe four seasons of the temperate countries
are not experienced in the country where the persona comes from but there are periods or days that feature different weather patterns. The persona explores the splendor of Mother Nature during these seasonal changes. To the persona, the absence of the four seasons does not make his country any less attractive and he describes each weather change vividly and with pride.
ThemeContentmentCounting our blessingsThe beauty of natureBeauty is in the eye of beholder
MessageWe should appreciate the wonders / beauty of
nature.We should treasure what we have.We should be thankful with what we are
blessed with.Being positive / optimistic helps us enjoy
what we have.ToneFriendly and pleasantCheerful and congenial
SymbolismThe gold sun – the hot climateThe slightest breath of air – a breezeThe canefields – productivityThe buttercups - beauty
MetaphorRain beats like bullets – raindrops of heavy rainsTrees struggling– trees moving violently in the strong
windLeaves fade off– leaves falling offCanefields lie bare – becoming unproductiveButtercups have paved the earth – buttercups covering
the groundYellow stars - buttercups
PersonificationThe rain beatsThe trees struggleThe canefields lie bareThe tall grass sways and shiversThe buttercups pave the earthBeauty appears suddenly
Are You Still Playing Your Flute?Through the poem, the persona expresses her
anxiety about the events going on during her time. Events seem to be turbulent. The nation is going through a crisis. The village is deserted and the rice fields are barren. Young men are unemployed and desperate. The political situation is plagued by disunity. War has broken out and people are being killed. In the midst of all this, a man is playing his flute. He is in his own world of music. The persona asks him a question three times. How can he continue playing his flute with all the turbulence going on in the nation? To make it worse, she feels guilty for enjoying his music and longing for his song.
ThemeApathy (Indifference)Turbulence in a nation
MessageWe should be concerned of what is happening in our
country.We must make good use of our time.We should be prepared to put aside our selfish desires.
ToneDepressingGloomyEmpathetic
SymbolismFlute – a world without troubleMelody – creativityRice field – an unhappy and barren
sceneFlowers – something that makes us
feel nice and happy
MetaphorUncovered by the breath of an artist
- produced by the musician’s breathBlown by the wind
- music being carried by the windThe depth of my heart
- a strong feelingWatching the rain
- An unproductive activitySlaughtered mercilessly
- those killed in war