On-line 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)

1. A. Samad Said

2. Ali Majod

3. Shirley Lim Geok Lin

4. M. Shanmughalingam

5. Marzuki Ali


The poems by Erica Jong raises some feminist issues.  What are they?
1. On the First Night

2. Penis Envy

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

In my opinion, Erica Jong’s poems are suitable to be taught at the upper secondary school level (Forms 4 and 5) only for the advanced students. I think it might be a bit challenging for students of average and low levels. To me, if Erica Jong’s poems are to be taught at secondary school levels, Form 6 Literature in English syllabus would be an excellent syllabus to chip them in. In conclusion, I do not think they are suitable to teach at the secondary school level.

Is Hillary Tham's poem more suitable?
Yes, because the elements in his poems are familiar to our Malaysian students. Being Malaysians, we share almost the same background schemata. For example the poem “When Lilacs Last…for Walt Whitman”. Students can relate to it as many of the ideas are around them.

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 a universal experience because human beings are never satisfied with what they have regardless of race. Arrogance, jealousy, envious etc, fuels the urge to feel unsatisfied with many things. The story is a brilliant choice to be taught to our students because it is full of moral values which they can use to reflect.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 Langston is half white and half black.  In this poem he expresses the frustration and grief that a half black and white person felt post emancipation of slavery in America.  The theme is of a struggle to accept and understand their ethnic identity in a world where black people and white people are considered opposites.

I find "Dinner Guest: Me" laden with irony and sarcasm. Briefly state if you feel the same.
I feel the same about “Dinner Guest: Me”. He talks about how black people are put in the lower class of social hierarchy. Being half white and half black, he is the center of attention at the dinner party at Park Avenue where white people look at him as black.

The experience in the poem Harlem is one that is true for many people. Do you agree?
I agree that the experience in Harlem is true for many people, Racism has caused a lot of people frustration and anger.  This could disrupt the harmony and peace in a community and subsequently would cause a country to collapse if no action is discussed and done fairly to all.


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

New Negro Movement

On-line Task 1

Folktale

The Son of the Turtle Spirit is a Chinese folktale.

List some of the well-known folktales from Malaysia .
1.  Wind from the mountains (Angin dari gunung) - Sabah folktale
2.  How Dalat Got Its Name (Bagaimana Dalat mendapat namanya) - Sarawak folktale
3.  Paddy with Golden Rice (Padi berbuah emas) - Selangor folktale
4.  The Unfortunate's Luck (Tuah Si Malang) - Negeri Sembilan folktale
5.  The Loyal Elephant (Gajah Yang Setia) - Perak folktale

List some of the possible issues found in The Son of the Turtle Spirit
1.  Underestimating others' capability.
2.  Disrespectfulness towards the other kinds.
3.  Problems in a relationship between partners with different cultural backgounds.

Are those issues universal in nature or are they only relevant in the Chinese culture?
The issue are universal and do not only relevant in the Chinese culture.


Fables


What are the other morals that can be gotten from the other fables by Aesop? List at least two
1.  Bragging is unacceptable and could bring shame to yourself.  (The Hare and the Tortoise)
2.  Do not tell lies as it could backfire. (The Boy Who Cried 'Wolf!')

Myths


One well-known literary figure from the Elizabethan age used Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe as a model to one of his famous plays. Who is he and what is the play?
William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet


Legends

List some of the popular legends we have in Malaysia
1.  The Legend of Bujang Senang - Sarawak (Bujang Senang is a mythical crocodile who was once man who turned into a monstrous crocodile seeking revenge)
2.  The Legend of Mahsuri - Perlis (The maiden who bled white blood as a proof of her purity)


Le Mort d’Arthur 
1. Who is Thomas Malory?
      Sir Thomas Malory (c. 1405 -14 March 1471) was an English writer, the author or compiler of Le Morte d'Arthur.

2. When was Le Mort d’Arthur written?
      Year 1470

3. How many books/ parts are there in LMDA?
      21 books

4. What is book 8 about?
      It is about Sir Tristram's life

5. Who were the two people who had an affair?
      Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot

6. Book 6 has a strong connection to a popular modern fiction which is now a movie. What is the title of the popular modern fiction?
      King Arthur (2004)

7. State three well-known facts about King Arthur/ his time as a King
      1.  Arthur's sword was called Excalibur
      2.  Arthur married Guinevere and got the Round table as a wedding present from her father Leodegrance
      3.  Arthur was betrayed by his greatest knight, Sir Lancelot


Think of 2 ways in which you can use folktales/fables/myths or legends in the classroom. Explain briefly.
       1.  Big Book
             Students create a Big Book of a story that they choose.  (Themes, Moral Values, Characteristics, Settings etc)  Teacher provides sample of a Big Book for the students to guide them.


      2.  Graphic / Pictorial
            Teacher provides pictures of the important events in the story and asks students to write suitable dialogues /scripts.

THE SON OF THE TURTLE-SPIRIT

     

     As rats never fail to dig a hole since they were born, so with human, the son will inherit his father's merits and demerits as well, it sounds likes a proverb 'like father, like son'.  In this folktale, the boy ought to be a strong swimmer, because he is the son of a turtle.  With an opportunity, and a brave decision, he faces the dragon with unequaled courage.  Finally, he succeeds in the mission.  His courage is an example to all of us.

     

     Of course, there are natural conditions of the turtle's son, but he still has to acquire the effort to succeed.  In reality, how about the people who without inborn quality?  We should seize the opportunity and keep our nose to the grindstone to be successful.  Thomas A. Edison said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration".

     We should encourage our students to work hard to catch up everything and strive for the highest goals.

Aesop's Fables - Androcles

   How would you feel when someone helps you? Happy? Grateful?  YES, I'll extremely grateful for those who help me.  This make me can feel the warmth of human and friendliness. 

   'Androcles'  is an interesting fable.  After read this fable, we can learn two proverbs from it, 'A friend in need is a friend indeed' and 'One good turns deserves another'.  This fable can be used as a good material to teach our students to be a good person.  We can tell them when we do something good, we will get something good in return.  Besides, we should help each other in our lives.  Don't too selfish as it is a poison in our society.  

   In classroom, teacher can get students to write the script and act out the story.  I think it is funny.  

Ovid's Metamorphosis - "Pyramus and Thisbe"

     Based on the Ovid's Metamorphosis, the berries on the Mulberry bush are red, instead of their original white.  It is to commemorate Pyramus and Thisbe and their great sacrifice.

    "Pyramus and Thisbe" is a sentimental romance.  They love each other.  But, they are a pair of ill-fated lovers.  Eventually, they died together, in love and peace. 

   

    Everyone wants to be in love.  Love is a great feeling.  For love, we are willing to do everything, willing to sacrifice.  For example,  parents love their children.  They will do the best  for their children.  Love is powerful.  

    As a teacher, I would like to educate my pupils on how to love and care for their parents, teachers, friends, family members, nature, etc in right way.  In order to love someone, we need to respect and appreciate everything about them in their lives.

Share a song with you : "The Power of Love" performed by Celine Dion

I HAVE A DREAM by MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR

Wow, it is my great pleasure to read the speech "I Have A Dream" given by Martin Luther King, Jr.  It really is a powerful and effective speech.  The speech builds up to a rousing climax.  He let the people believe that dream will come true.  

     

Everyone has a dream.  Some may dream of being millionaires, doctors, successful businessman, etc.  

    

I, Chieng Han Nie, also have a dream. With my efforts, my dream is come true.  As a child and up to my teenage years, I have always treasure my dream to be a teacher.  My mother and my teachers asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up.  Well, my answer is: I want to be a teacher.  It is a holy occupation that I admire and longing for.  

     

I have been teaching in rural area for nine years.  I'm the engineers of human soul for my pupils.  I try to lead them into knowledge sea, making them realize the easiness of study.  I also go into their life as their best friend and become a partner in learning and encourage them.  I teach them a lot, how to behave better and how to be a good man of the society.  I done my best to educate my pupils.   

     

I asked my pupils, will you forget me?  They promised me they won't forget me even if I'm getting old，grey in hair.  They are really cute and naive.  

     

Now, my dream is come true.  I hope all of you will run towards to your dream and look for the tomorrow belonging to your own!

My Position Paper

"One is One and All Alone" by Nicholas Fisk

Thesis Statement :
Cloning brings more harm to us especially on the moral issues.

     Let's me talk about the story, Trish is on her father's spaceship going to Planet Trion to study the existence of life and to meet her mother.  She gets really bored in the long journey and decides to make a clone of herself. At first, everything goes smoothly until her clone 'Clo' starts to imitate everything she does and also tries to get Trish's father's attention all to herself.  Then, Trish tries to get rid of Clo when in the end it is Trish herself who gets dumped from the spaceship through the disposal hatch.     

     

     It is safe to say that cloning is like the 'Copy' and 'Paste' techniques we often use in typing.  It copies the source's genes completely.  That's why we find Clo imitates Trish every word and action.  At first, they find it funny, but at last they find it irritating and causes them to argue a lot.  In reality, we live in a community where everyone communicate and react towards each other.  Imagine if everybody imitates each other and then gets into quarrels or arguments which in the end would lead to more physical, abusive or harmful actions. I can't think of other but immoral individuals doing immoral activities.

     Clones thinks alike.  Trish thinks of 'killing'.  Clo, and so does Clo.  Who acts firsts, gets it.  In the end, it was Trish who gets disposed off the spaceship.  So pity!  A happy family is separated in such inhumane way.  As everybody knows it, killing to all religion is a sin and thus morally it is not acceptable by all.

     As a conclusion, I believe cloning brings forth a lot of immorality to the society.  Every living and non-living things is God's creation.  He has crafted ways for living things to breed and I am sure cloning is not one of it.