Heir Conditioning.doc

7/30/2019 Heir Conditioning.doc

1/5

T2-BI-Literature

Heir Conditioning

Synopsis

The poem is about the differences in the way of life of the older generation and the

present generation. A grandchild is asking his grandparents how they lived before

modern gadgets like air- conditioners and the telecommunications were invented. The

grandparents say that they were ignorant of modern technology and so they lived

without them. But, unlike the present generation, they did not have environmental and

emotional problems like pollution and stress.

Setting

Living room in a house

Present day

Themes

Price of progress

Quality of life

Challenges in life

Greed and materialism

Different times and values

Moral Values

We must appreciate what we have

Progress and development have advantage and disadvantages

What we have today may not be good for us, health-wise

We must not be greedy as greed can bring about destruction

We should care for the environment

We must not too money-minded or materialist
http://ipsi86um96.blogspot.com/2010/05/heir-conditioning_14.htmlhttp://ipsi86um96.blogspot.com/2010/05/heir-conditioning_14.html


2/5

Synopsis of Heir Conditioning

This poem is written in London, May 4, 1995. It talks about issues regarding differentlifestyles and values of two generations. It also talks about the generation gap thatexists between grandparents and their grandchildren. This poem is like a dialoguebetween them. In the first stanza, the grandchild asks his grandfather if he couldbreathe without air conditioner and how people manage to survive without moderndevices such as air conditioners, fans, faxes and telephones. The child asks hisgrandmother if she was uncomfortable fanning herself with paper fans. He inquisitivelyquestions how they could communicate without today's modern media ofcommunication which he cannot do without.

In the second stanza, the grandparents' answer sets the two generations apart. Though

they lived void of the "basic necessities", they lived contentedly and respected nature.

Also, they were God-fearing people. The grandparents warn the younger generations

that they have inherited much technological advancement and it has led to a separation

from his spiritual well-being. God has been replaced by money and nature has begun to

fear man. Natural surroundings are being taken over by rapid development and that has

led to pollution, deforestation and destruction of natural habitats that now threatens

man.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PGAgsw4w8R0/TWi0AqdeuzI/AAAAAAAAAWY/eRZTw5Cs3ZU/s1600/forest.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M77uGZ8ONUU/TWizEYY-yII/AAAAAAAAAWU/vhedVUw8YF8/s1600/fax.jpg


3/5

POEM - HEIR CONDITIONING :

Synopsis

The poem Heir Conditioning is a dialogue between the grandparents and their

grandchild about the differences in their generations. The poet offers two different

views from two different generations through the dialogue. The grandchild asks his

or her grandparents about what life was like in the old days and they explain that life

was much simpler and they id not have to face the problems of today's world. This isbecause they were not advanced enough to invent many technological inventions

during their time. The poem further explores the differences between the two

generations by giving examples of the problems the grandchild has to face now such

as pollution, stress and traffic jams. The poem ends with a strong message in the

last two lines. The message is those living in the grandchild's have become more

materialistic and that they have to pay the price for the progress.

Moral Values

Take care and appreciate the nature

Use technology wisely

Do not be blinded by money

Appreciate Gods creation

Be religious.

Do not forget your responsibilities.


4/5

Poem - Heir Conditioning

By M Shanmughalingam

Literal meaning

Stanza 1

The poet is asking his grandfather on how he lived during that time where there are no

technologies. He is asking what is it like to have no air cons and have to use manual fans, whenthere are no telephones or cell phones to make distant calls. Last time people were doing fine

by just using faxes for long distant communication.

Stanza 2

The poet grandfather is answering back all the poets questions. They have lived before the

technologies were invented, because of that, they did not pollute our nature like today. They

lived the life that is according to the religion and appreciate the nature. Nowadays, we destroy

the nature and money is everything to the new generation.

The poem meaning

The title Heir conditioning has the same pronunciation as air conditioning. Thus, the title itself

has highlighted the differences between the generations. In the past, our grandparents lived on

basic necessities. Lives were simple without inventions of technology. Now, in our generation,

we have all kinds of luxuries because of the advancement in science and technology. However,

we have become materialistic and individualistic. Now, money is our new god. Lives are not

simple anymore. Pollutions and other problems arise because of the luxuries that we are

indulging ourselves in.

Glossary

1. Flustered - Confused and nervous

2. Necessities - Something you need to have in order to live.


5/5

Documents

Heir Conditioning.doc