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.

Online Task 1

Folktales

List some of the well-known folktales from Malaysia

1. Pak Pandir

2. Awang Tangan Besar

3. The Curse of Batu Gajah

4. Mat Jenin

5. Nujum Pak Belalang

6. Si Tanggang

7. Anak Buloh Betong

8. Sang Kelembai

9. Si Luncai

10. Lebai Malang

11. Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup

12. Bawang Putih Bawang Merah

13. Badang

List some of the possible issues found in The Son of the Turtle Spirit.  Are those issues universal in nature or are they only relevant in the Chinese culture?

1. The influence of the Dragon and the Turtle in the Chinese community - relevant in the Chinese culture only e.g. creating good feng shui

2. Obedience to parents - universal

3. Determination and confidence is key to success - universal

Fables

What are the other morals that can be gotten from the other fables by Aesop? List at least two.

The Ant and the Dove – One good turn deserves another

The Fox and the Goat – Look before you leap

The Farmer and the Stork – Birds of a feather flock together

The Crow and the Pitcher – Necessity is the mother of invention

The Eagle and the Cockerels – Pride comes before a fall

Myths

One well-known literary figure from the Elizabethan age used Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe as a model to one of his famous plays. Who is he and what is the play?

Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet

Legends

List some of the popular legends we have in Malaysia

1. Mahsuri

2. Hang Tuah

3. Tasik Dayang Bunting

4. Naga Tasik Chini

5. Puteri Gunung Ledang

6. Puteri Santubong

7. Raja Bersiong  

Le Morte d’Arthur (The Death of Arthur) by Sir Thomas Malory

1. Who is Thomas Malory?
Thomas Malory was a rogue as well as a distinguished author. According to the Kittredge version Thomas Malory lived at Newbold Revell in Warwickshire, England. He served in France under the earl of Warwick and was a Lancastrian during the Wars of the Roses. He was knighted in 1442 and entered the British Parliament representing Warwickshire in 1445, then in around 1450 he turned towards a life of crime, being accused of armed assault and rape. He was imprisoned for most of the 1450s (mostly in London's Newgate Prison).  He wrote Le Morte d’Arthur while serving his final prison term and died shortly after its completion.

2. When was Le Mort d’Arthur written?
It was written from 1450’s and completed in 1470

3. How many books/parts are there in LMDA?
Malory originally wrote Le Morte d'Arthur as eight books.

4. What is book 8 about?
The last and eighth tale concerns the discovery of Lancelot and Guinevere's ongoing adultery, the battle between Modred and Arthur, and Arthur's ultimate death.

5. Who were the two people who had an affair?
Lancelot and Guinevere

6. Book 6 has a strong connection to a popular modern fiction which is now a movie. What is the title of the popular modern fiction?

The sixth tale is about the "coming of the Grail" - in his version of the Sangreal, Malory adapts the Christian mysticism of the French 'Quest del Saint Graal' and inflates the importance of Lancelot, who is recognised as a Grail Knight. 

The title of a popular modern fiction connected to the Grail is Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.

7. State three well-known facts about King Arthur/his time as a King

1. His guardian and advisor in the early days of his kingdom was Merlin the wizard.

2. King Arthur fought many battles and was known for his outstanding   courage and generosity. Lands were given back to their rightful owners and churches were rebuilt.

3. He was married to Guinevere, who later had an affair with Lancelot.  

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Think of 2 ways in which you can use folktales/fables/myths or legends in the classroom. Explain briefly.

     Students can be asked to do a role-play of a chosen folktale/fable/myth/legend. They may rewrite the dialogues themselves to allow for creativity.

     Students can write a letter to their favourite character and express their feelings and thoughts about any situation surrounding the character. Students may also give their advice to the character on what they think should/should not be done.

Autobiography - Reality Bites!

Guilty as charged - Tun Dr Mahathir's A Doctor in the House is the only autobiography I have ever read! Although this book contains a lot of political affairs that happened during Tun's service as Malaysia's Prime Minister, the part I enjoyed most was when he opened up about his family and growing up years. He even revealed his love life with Tun Dr Siti Hasmah in this autobiography. It is nice to get a little taste of his younger years to understand the man that he grows up to be. Personally, I have so much respect for Tun and I think he is the 'strongest' man that I have ever known.

There are many autobiographies to choose from. Indeed, we can learn so much from other people's good and bad experiences. 

Iroquois: The Girl Who Was Not Satisfied With Simple Things

This native American story teaches us the value of humility and gratefulness. Iroquois was not satisfied with simple things and because of that she dared to defy her parents. It was fortunate that an old man was there to rescue her from evil fate. She remembered the lesson that she should be satisfied with simple things to her old age. 

The dilemma in choosing things in life is a universal experience. At some point of our life, we have to decide on what is best for our future. In my opinion, although we should always be grateful with what we have, we should also seek for the best. However, we should think carefully before we make up our mind. We need to seek advice from other people too and not act on things rashly. 

Erica Jong vs Hilary Tham

Both Erica Jong and Hilary Tham writes about feminist issues though they have different approaches in writing. The issues and the words used in the poems written by Erica Jong, "For My Husband" and "The Rose" are very bold and  controversial. The lines "I have taken other men into my thoughts since I met you. But I have loved parts of them" suggests infidelity or even promiscuity. In "The Rose", the language used contain vulgarity - "it hung its head like a spent cock & died". Therefore, I do not think these poems are suitable for Malaysian secondary school classrooms. 

The poem "Becoming a Woman" by Hilary Tham on the other hand, although talks about puberty, was written in a more appropriate language for young readers. From this poem, we are able to appreciate women's roles and sacrifice in raising children.

Life Is Fine by Langston Hughes

I went down to the river,
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn't,
So I jumped in and sank.

I came up once and hollered!
I came up twice and cried!
If that water hadn't a-been so cold
I might've sunk and died.

But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!

I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.

I stood there and I hollered!
I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn't a-been so high
I might've jumped and died.

But it was High up there! It was high!

So since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love--
But for livin' I was born

Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry--
I'll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.

Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine! 

I came across this poem when I was doing some research for my second assignment. What a motivating poem it is. I was enchanted by it. The poet, Langston Hughes was admired for his bold, truthful and poignant words during the Harlem Renaissance. Most of his poems revolves around the plight of the African American community. This poem however transcends all humanity. Everybody can relate to this poem during their most difficult times. Sometimes when things seem too hard to endure, we just feel like giving up. However, we must be strong and face all the obstacles that lay in front of us. Life is too precious to be thrown away just like that. I hope with this poem many others will feel lifted as I did. Thank you Langston for such powerful words...

Legends

Legends are good teaching materials. The text Le Mort d’Arthur written by Thomas Malory can be too difficult for some students because of its archaic language. However, I don’t think the text should be discarded from the classroom just for the reason. Many students enjoy watching “Merlin” on TV, therefore they would already have some background knowledge about the era. I am sure many are intrigued with the Excalibur. Therefore, the original text can be adapted by teachers using simpler, modern language or perhaps teachers can use just a chapter from the book – it all depends on the level of proficiency of the students. However, I strongly believe that all students should be given the opportunity to read about legends from around the world. From then the students can learn to see the significance of each legendary character. Teachers may spark the love for books and legends with just one interesting story.  Apart from Le Mort d’Arthur that tells us about the legendary King Arthur, teachers can also bring legends of Puteri Gunung Ledang, Mahsuri and Hang Tuah into the classroom for some local tastes.