Online 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)
Yes, I think we do. Writers/poets that could be in the circle of Malaysian literary canon include A. Samad Said, Usman Awang, Muhammad Haji Salleh, Ali Majod, Che Husna Azhari, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim, Ali Majod, Adibah Amin, Shahnon Ahmad, and Heidi Munan.

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

She talks about sex, infidelity, women’s liberty and oppression of women in marriage and relationship.

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

I do not think that the poems are suitable to be taught at secondary school level because the language used is vulgar and sexually explicit. They reflect more open-minded, westernized culture, so they are not appropriate for young audience in Malaysian classrooms.

Is Hillary Tham's poem more suitable?
Yes, I agree. This is because the language used is more decent and appropriate for eastern culture although the issue of puberty can be thought as taboo by some. Teachers however must be sensitive, knowledgable and smart in bringing the students attention to the good values contain in the poem, as well as entertaining questions posed by the 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?

The issue raised in the poem is considered universal because everyone in life seeks for something and has individual needs and wants. The tale can teach students a lot of things. One, it teaches us to be grateful with what we have. Second, it teaches that sometimes what we want may not be the best thing for us. Besides that, we should always consider listening to other people’s advice and not to act rashly. Also, it teaches us that some things may be deceiving in that what we see are not what they really are. Therefore, we must always be on guard and not trust people easily. 

Langston Hughes

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

This poem does not represent Langston’s personal experience, since both of his parents were African-Americans. However, it was known by many that Langston spoke for his people, the African-Americans. He talked about their sufferings and their hopes in living in America. In other words, Hughes refused to differentiate between his personal experience and the common experience of his people. Therefore, I believe in this poem he represents his people who experienced identity crisis caused by mixed parentage. In this poem, the persona is confused about his identity – being neither black or white. At first, he blames both his parents for putting him at this crossroad – whether to identify himself as black or white. Later on, he regrets his awful words to both his parents. However, he still wonders his fate – if he would die rich and noble as white or die poor and marginalised as black.

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

Yes, I do feel that the poem is laden with irony and sarcasm. Although the persona was a guest at a dinner, he was treated as if he was a criminal and being scrutinized by the whites. The sarcasm is clearly stated in the line “I’m so ashamed of being white” when in truth is that the whites are so proud of their race.  “To be a Problem on Park Avenue at eight/Is not so bad” is also ironic because obviously it was a huge problem (implied by the capital “P”) and it was actually the worst thing that could happen to him when he was supposed to be treated nicely and equally as the rest of the guests.  

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

Yes, I do agree that the experience is one that many people can relate to because everyone has dreams and hopes in life.  When our hopes and dreams are not fulfilled, we all wonder what could have gone wrong. Many of us also left wondering whether we would be able to dream and hope again after the failure.

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

It is called the Harlem Renaissance.