LITERATURE MODULEPOEMS

By : Suziana Muhammad

What Is A Poem?A creative form of writing usually written in

verseExpresses the emotions and feelings of a poetUsually ends in rhymes and if it doesn’t, it is

known as free verseA group of lines is called a stanzaThe speaker / persona refers to the voice in

the poem

In The Midst Of HardshipThe poem is about the experience of a group of villagers who go out to search for a lost albino buffalo. They spend a whole day and night braving a terrible flood, amidst dead animals and floating pieces of bark. In spite of their difficulties, discomfort and failed mission, they remain calm, hopeful in high spirits.

 

ThemeConsequences of flood on flood victimsFacing hardship with optimism

Message• We must always look at the positive side of things.• We must accept the hardship we are in and be

resilient.

Tone• Acceptance• Cheerfulness

Symbolism

And aproached the stove compared to doing something cheerful after a bad experience.

Desperately looking for their son’s albino buffalo compared to doing something difficult during a bad flood.

Metaphor

• Legs full of wounds symbolises the suffering of people during a flood.

• Bloated carcasses symbolises the horror of flood.

He Had Such Quiet EyesThis poem is about a lady who is

captivated by the quiet eyes of a young man. The lady believes she sees in those eyes mirroring the sadness within him and begging her for love and kindness so as to give him happiness. She is not wise enough to listen to advice and as a result, the young man deceives her.

ThemeDeceitImportance of listening to good advice

MessageWe must not be deluded by looks or appearance.We must listen to advice that is good for us.

ToneSeriousFriendly

SymbolismQuiet eyes – eyes that do not ‘speak’ or show

much emotion.Pools of lies – areas of deceitThinnest ice – a thin veil that is easy to see

throughEyes breathing desolate sighs – eyes that pour

out sadnessParadise – a state of blissThe hows and whys – a difficult situation where

solutions are not easily foundLosing at dice – losing at a game of chance

NatureThe four seasons of the temperate countries

are not experienced in the country where the persona comes from but there are periods or days that feature different weather patterns. The persona explores the splendor of Mother Nature during these seasonal changes. To the persona, the absence of the four seasons does not make his country any less attractive and he describes each weather change vividly and with pride.

ThemeContentmentCounting our blessingsThe beauty of natureBeauty is in the eye of beholder

MessageWe should appreciate the wonders / beauty of

nature.We should treasure what we have.We should be thankful with what we are

blessed with.Being positive / optimistic helps us enjoy

what we have.ToneFriendly and pleasantCheerful and congenial

SymbolismThe gold sun – the hot climateThe slightest breath of air – a breezeThe canefields – productivityThe buttercups - beauty

MetaphorRain beats like bullets – raindrops of heavy rainsTrees struggling– trees moving violently in the strong

windLeaves fade off– leaves falling offCanefields lie bare – becoming unproductiveButtercups have paved the earth – buttercups covering

the groundYellow stars - buttercups

PersonificationThe rain beatsThe trees struggleThe canefields lie bareThe tall grass sways and shiversThe buttercups pave the earthBeauty appears suddenly

Are You Still Playing Your Flute?Through the poem, the persona expresses her

anxiety about the events going on during her time. Events seem to be turbulent. The nation is going through a crisis. The village is deserted and the rice fields are barren. Young men are unemployed and desperate. The political situation is plagued by disunity. War has broken out and people are being killed. In the midst of all this, a man is playing his flute. He is in his own world of music. The persona asks him a question three times. How can he continue playing his flute with all the turbulence going on in the nation? To make it worse, she feels guilty for enjoying his music and longing for his song.

 

ThemeApathy (Indifference)Turbulence in a nation

MessageWe should be concerned of what is happening in our

country.We must make good use of our time.We should be prepared to put aside our selfish desires.

ToneDepressingGloomyEmpathetic

SymbolismFlute – a world without troubleMelody – creativityRice field – an unhappy and barren

sceneFlowers – something that makes us

feel nice and happy

MetaphorUncovered by the breath of an artist

- produced by the musician’s breathBlown by the wind

- music being carried by the windThe depth of my heart

- a strong feelingWatching the rain

- An unproductive activitySlaughtered mercilessly

- those killed in war