-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)

                               a.            KS Maniam

                              b.            A. Samad Said

                               c.            Shirley Lim

                              d.            Usman Awang

                               e.            Che Husna Azhari

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

Sex, risk taking, adulthood and the use of raw language.

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

I believe that poems by Erica Jong managed to create an impact to the students compared to Hillary Tham’s. This is because we need to let the students know the consequences after making a decision. It’s best to allow and guide them instead of telling them “no”. This reply is not going to work for the students. The more you object the more aggressive they’ll be.

4.      Is Hillary Tham's poem more suitable?

I think Hillary Tham’s poem can be used because like the old saying “There is no best method. All methods are the best if they suit your students”.

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?

Humans will never be satisfied with what we’ve got. We are so greedy that we want almost anything in the world. For example once we owned a car, we will want to own another car. We can use this to teach the students to appreciate the things that we have. We must also be satisfied with what we’ve got and don’t be greedy.

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.

Hughes was trying to tell us his dilemma in his crossed parentage. He was also crossed with his parents for putting him where he was because there was one time when he wanted to trace back his heritage, people in Africa would not believe that he was black and called him a white man instead. Being an African – American before 1950s was hard and that was why he was so crossed.

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

I feel that Hughes was frustrated when the African – American was being put at the lowest hierarchy in the society even at the dinner. He got no solution to this inequality but can only wait for the day where equality will be seen to come.

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

Yes, I do.

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

Harlem Renaissance.