Online Task 2

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)
Yes, we do have canon for Malaysian literary works. Some of the recipients are as follows:
1981 - Kamaluddin Muhamad (Keris Mas)
           'Jungle of Hope' (novel for SPM Form 5)
1986- Datuk A.Samad Said
           'The Dead Crow' (poem for PMR FORM 1)
1991- Prof.Dr.Muhammad Haji Salleh
          'Si Tenggang's homecoming' (poem for SPM Form 4)

The poems by Erica Jong raises some feminist issues. What are they?
Her works always touches about the conflicts arising in women in today's world, of womanhood, femininity, love, one's quest for freedom and purpose.She is an outspoken and thought-provoking. She is very bold in delivering her messages on women issues.

Do you think they are suitable to teach at the secondary school level? Explain.
I think her poems such as "For My Husband" and "The Rose" are not suitable to teach Malaysian students because it touches about women's freedom towards man and women's desires which is not suitable for Malaysian culture. Her thinking and messages are more suitable western culture. 

Is Hillary Tham's poem more suitable?
Hilary Tham is a local Malaysian writer. Therefore, her poems are more suitable for our eastern culture and they can be taught at the secondary school level because the use of language in her poems are more moderate and her poems often deals with common female issues. 

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?
"Don't Judge The Book By Its Cover". You can ignore or let go a person by just looking at their looks. Good heart and good behaviour are much more important than the appearance. These are the important things that the girl failed to see in a person. The girl's problem is not only experienced by native Americans but it is a universal experience. Girls nowdays always end up with problems in relationship because they only see the outer look of a person and not their actual attitude. They are not satisfied with simply things in life but end up with worst things in life. They must be happy with what they have and try to adapt themselves with the situations. This will give them peaceful in life and their life will be meaningful. Always remember that god has given us the best in life and try to appreciate every single things in life. 

From your findings about his background, tell me about the dilemma he conveys through the poem CROSS.
In the poem "Cross",Hughes touched on the psychological hardships of being a mixture of black and white descent. He didn't deny the anger that a person would feel toward his parents for creating a mixed child.  The issues facing not only African Americans but mixed Americans during the 1900s were chronic and painful.  To Hughes being mixed added on another challenge and hurdle that one had to overcome in the already prejudiced America.

I find "Dinner Guest: Me" laden with irony and sarcasm. Briefly state if you feel the same.
"Dinner Guest: Me" by Langston Hughes is full of irony and sarcasm because of the following lines:-

Stanza 1, Line 1 & 2

I know I am

The Negro Problem

Stanza 1, Line 9, 10 & 11

Of darkness U.S.A.--

Wondering how things got this way

In current democratic night,

Stanza 1, Line 14

"I'm so ashamed of being white."

I feel that this poem is about Langston Hughes being invited to a fancy restaurant by a white person and the two of them were discussing race. You can tell by the way he says 'Asked the usual questions' and how the white person is embarrassed to be white. A black person in a fancy restaurant was a big deal back in those days. Not only do they have to wait for service in the restaurant but their discussion is about the answer to race relations and in the end of the poem he says; the answer to the problem is to wait.

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

Yes, I agree.  The poem is about the unequal treatment among the blacks and the whites. The blacks are marginalized and they are treated like second class citizens. They have been looked down and treated like slaves. They are not given equal priority and had to attend poorly equipped segregated schools and settle for menial jobs.In many states, blacks could not use the same public facilities as whites including restrooms, restaurants, theatres and parks. 

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

New Negro Movement.