ARE YOU STILL PLAYING WITH YOUR FLUTE?

SYNOPSIS

This poem his about a persona who reminisces the time he/she spends when in a village. There are many things that are now luxury to her such as listening to the melody of the flute itself, gazing at the evening rays, collecting dew drops, or enjoying the fragrance of flowers. The village is now unpopulated as many have moved to the city. Now that she has moved on with her life, she wonders whether the flutist is still playing the flute. This is because, there are many challenges in the world today such as the world is dying, the unemployment issue and the people are disunited because of different political views.

THEMES

Family commitments Priorities in life Neglect of one’s duties

MORAL VALUES

We should be aware of our family commitments and carry them out properly. Everyone has priorities in, life and we should know what is important and what is not. Following a hobby is good but there is a time for work and a time for play.

POINT OF VIEW

The poem is the first point of view.

The person is addressing another person and describing a situation to him.

Rhetorical question Descriptive and questioning Simple style and no rhyme

TONE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE

Sombre and regretful Serious atmosphere

POETIC DEVICES

Imagery – e.g. ‘blown by the wind’, ‘depth of my heart’ Alliteration – e.g. ‘fragrance of flowers’ Symbol – e.g. ‘flute’, ‘song’ Repetition – e.g. ‘Are you still playing your flute?’ Figurative Language – Metaphor e.g. ‘The melody concealed in the slime hollow of bamboo –

Personification e.g. ‘sick rice field’

HE HAD SUCH QUIET EYES

SYNOPSIS

This poem is about a lady who falls in love with the wrong man. She is fascinated with his eyes that seem to lure her to give him paradise. The man has a pair of quiet eyes that she does not realise they are not that quiet. As she is ‘charmed’ by the eyes, she does not listen to the advice given by other people who are concerned with her behaviour. In the end, she realises her mistakes and is broken hearted.

THEME

Betrayal of love Personal experiences Relationships that are meaningful

MORAL VALUES

Don’t be naive and believe everything we are told especially in matters of the heart. Be wise when choosing friends. Falling in love is normal but one should be careful. We must learn from the experience of other people. We should be very careful not to give in our principle in order to please other people.

TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHERE

Refelective Sad and happy Sympathetic

POINT OF VIEW

Second and third person points of view

LANGUAGE & STYLE

Simple and easy to understand Simple style with rhyming scheme

MEANING OF WORDS

sighs – long, deep audible breaths eyes – a pair of organs of sight advice – guidance desolate – unhappy and uninhabited pleasure-seeking – looking for a feeling of happy satisfaction dice – a small cube with each side having a different number ranging from 1 to 6 layered – arranged in layers lies – intentional false statements realise – become aware compromise – agree paradise – heaven render – provide or give help imploring – begging desperately wise – having knowledge and good judgement