ONLINE TASK 2

1. 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).

 Some of them are :

a. Kamaluddin Muhamad- Jungle of Hope ( novel ) for SPM syllabus.

b. Lee Su Ann - The Curse ( novel ) for SPM syllabus

c. K.S.Maniam - The Return ( novel ) for SPM syllabus

d. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Haji Salleh - Si Tenggang’s Homecoming ( poem )

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

The issues raised by Erica Jong in her poems are marriage life, oppression of woman ,adultery, a man and a woman relattionship, feminist revolution and gender differences.

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

I think the poems of Erica Jong such as "For My Husband" and "The Rose" not suitable to be introduce in the secondary school level because Erica Jong’s poem, “For My Husband” seems be lustful and provocative. It openly deals an intimate relationship between man and woman and thought of having affair. On other hand, " T he Rose" indicates theme of hunger for love . We don't students seek love during learning process that cause damage to their future. The issues that highlighted in this poem still unacceptable in Malaysian society to discuss about it openly. These poems seem suit to adult readers

4. Is Hillary Tham's poem more suitable?

I feel that Hillary Tham's poem "Becoming a Woman " is not suitable to be intoduce for secondary school level because it is directly deals with issue of various portraits of transition of woman from childhood to adulthood and women are the one face such transition. Image this poem is going to be introduce in mixed gender school. I feel that the girls will face embrassment when the teacher deals such theme. I think that such poem more relevant to adult readers. They are more mature in dealing such issue.

5.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?

This is an universal problem because many people do not satisfy with what they had . They wanted more and more and don't seem grateful with what they had. People constant complain about what is wrong with their life and made them focussed on it. This will definitely make them down.

Teacher can instill the value of gratitude to their students by indicate the importance of appreciating little things in their lives. Teacher should make them aware although life can be sometimes be tough but there is always someone that had things worse than they do. Teacher also can tell the students that nothing is perfect. Don't alway feel dissatisfied and disappoint in oneself. Give respect on the way they doing things because such things can bring positive elements to their life.

6. From internet sources find out more about Langston Hughes.From your findings about his background, tell me about the dilemma he conveys through the poem CROSS.

The poem is about a pesona who is angry and confused towards his identify. I feel that Langston wrote this poem to indicate that he understood the confusion and conflict for being bi-racial although his parents were both black. Through this poem, he is presentating a first - person point of view on what he assumes are thoughts and conflicts of another person. Symbolically, he stated that situation is really hard for mixed racial heritage during Langston time because they couldn't follow any of their parents owing the social perception of each race. In addition, the persona is a child of multiracial decent, he awares that he is nobody. He fights with his own identify by blaming his parents. He indicates that he was displaced in a community that emphasizes on "label". The Blacks weren't equal to the White during that time period and the persona was unable to decide where his life is going to take him. The Whites were more privilage compare to Black where they were sidelined because of slavery.

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

I also feel same when I read the poem "Dinner Guest: Me". I think that the African- Americas always had to face the problem for being a Negro and to overcome this problem they need to wait for the solution. Although on surface , it seems that being Black, its not so bad as assumed by the White and the White seems assuage for their guilt by welcoming the persona to the dinner but the White seems do not want to find the solution to allow the Blacks to participate equally in society. Although during the era, it was totally impossible for a Black to have to be "wined and dinner" in a restaurant, the persona was able to do it. The persona seems rebel against the White . It indicates that eventhough some aspects have changed but other aspects like racism still exists. The persona feels that he is physically distanced from the racial inequalities although he been treated so well.

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

I agree with the experience in the poem. Harlem is one that is true for many people because we usually had dreams in our life. Sometimes we are unable to achieve our dreams because certain circumstance that make the dreams to put on hold. Later the dreams can't be achieve or affected with unnecessary negative elements. That makes us to abandon the dream. Life is full of uncertain things that one's dream face obstacles in achieving it. So if one's face obstacles during their life in achieving their dreams, face the obstacles and don't give up. Strive very hard to achieve the dream.

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

    The movement is called as Harlem Renaissance.