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)


Below are list of books which I think fulfil the requirement as canon literary by Malaysian authors. They are used as literary texts in schools of Malaysia.


A. novels and dramas

1) The Curse by Lee Su Ann
2) Jungle of Hope by Keris Mas
3)Jeruji Kasih by Ramlah Abd Rashid
4) Dongeng Sang Puteri by Wan Ahmad Ismail

B. Poems

1) Si Tanggang homecoming by Muhammad Haji Salleh

2)Monsoon History by Shirley Geok

3) The fighter's line by Marzuki Ali

4)In The midst of Hardship by Latif Mohidin   

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

I will discuss this question based on  a poem of Erica to answer this question.

        For my husband by Erica Jong

As a woman writer, she is  not  abode in a specific arranged time to finish her work.  A writer may    withdraw  into solitude time in a way to obtain an outstanding piece of thought. She feels contented of her husband’s understanding of her job. Despite  her sound of her type writer, in her late night work, he still can sleep well. With that she is not enslaved in a relationship called ‘marriage’.

Feminist issues

a.      A woman deserves her husband’s understanding.

b.     Female works are more appreciated and accepted in this era compare to previous century, mostly in 19 century.

c.      A woman too, like a man tends to compare her pair with other man. She attracted to a man who will to understand her needs.(stanza 2 of the poem)

Suitabality as teaching source in class

a.       As we should consider of students’ capability in understanding the subject matter we are going to discuss in class, the poem entitled For My Husband is not suitable to be brought as teaching source in lower form classes. In detail, they still too naive to understand the world of marriage. For the upper form classes the poem  is very important to educate both girls and boys students that they supposedly to find pairs who will to understand their  needs. Otherwise, they would be going through an unhappy marriage.

       Becoming a woman by Hillary Tham

Persona experiences in her first time menstrual process. She becomes depressed by the process until her grandmother assures her that the process is actually a normal process which all women go through. Her grandmother educates her that menstrual process indicates a woman maturity as a woman.

Feminist issues

a.      A female goes through a menstrual process for puberty which different to male

b.     Close relationship between a mother and a daughter is very important to

Suitability as teaching source

Puberty process is studied in science subject, even in the lower form. This issue is not a new issue to students. In the teaching and learning process, a teacher could be able to get more feedback  from students based on the topic they have learned from science subject. In this case, you should check of their previous knowledge before choosing this poem as a teaching material. Other thing that a teacher may add in this lesson is students’ openness in learning the such issue.

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

As mentioned above, the suitability of a source or material used in class would depend on students’ background and maturity. In detail, students should be able to understand   subject matters we bring in class.  Sometimes sensitivity of the local also should be taken into our account. Finally teacher’s discretion is very important. You can choose any material you like as long as you reasons is widely acceptable.

Is Hillary Tham's poem more suitable?

I see two different experiences when we teach the poems by Hillary Tham and the poems by Erica Jong. For example, the poem “Becoming a woman” by Tham and “For my Husband” by Jong will both beneficial students in different way. In “Becoming a woman by Hillary Tham” may educate our students with the female puberty while the later which is suitable for the upper secondary, may teach our students on what to do before they choose a partner/husband in the future. Both are suitable to the different ages of students.

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?

Moral: Dissatisfaction motivates someone to move towards perfection.

In the ancient time, marriage was the lavish of a woman’s life. Having a perfect husband could be a great of success which will make someone feels satisfy. The girl in the story symbolized person who dares to take risk in a way to have a perfect life. In this modern day, satisfaction has been measured in relation to economic standing, erudite and expert.

As students, satisfaction should be put in a high rank. Do not satisfy with the average marks but try to achieve the excellent one. If students feel satisfy with their average mark, they will not be motivated to do hard work. They should realize that, there is no fast track to achieve success but to perform  a great  effort. 

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

His dilemma in “cross” is his identity for being neither white nor black.

He is a son of mix races of black and white people.

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

I do agree that there are irony and sarcasm in this poem.

The irony part is when white people outwardly accept the concept of equality in their civil-right to the black but still the questions “why” and “wherewithal” are asked. “Why” could mean on why should the black people ask for equality and “wherewithal” could mean with which to do to make the black  people  will satisfy with their position compare to the white people.

The sarcasm part is when the poet says in the democratic country, the only thing he can enjoy with is the delicious meal served but not the way he is treated as black people among the white people.

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

Yes. I think everybody has a dream to fight for. It could not be achieve in an easy way for there are many obstacles to overcome. Even a 5-year-old boy has his own dream. It could be a dream of having a bicycle with his favourite colour. The obstacle is how long is a wait until his parent can grant his wish.

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

Civil Right Movement.