~~ ON-LINE TASK 2 ~~~

A ) 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




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


1. On the First Night

2. Penis Envy

C ) 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.

 D ) 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.




E ) 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.




F ) From your findings about his background, tell me about the dilemma he conveys through the poem CROSS.


 Langston Hughes 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.




G ) 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.




H ) 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.


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

New Negro Movement