In the midst of hardship!

Hi all!

This is just my experience and my opinion on teaching new text of Form 4 literature, In the Midst of Hardship. The text is simpler than Sonnet 18, definitely. Hmm.. please have a look and comment if I don't interpret every stanza correctly. I really appreciate your comments! Thanks..



In the midst of hardship by Latiff Mohidin

At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their son's
albino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

Stanza 1
They returned to their home in the early morning. Their clothes were very wet and torn. There were cuts on their arms but they did not show any signs of misery.

Explanation:
Dawn refers to early morning. The poet uses brows to tell about the expression on the face. "...but on their brows, there was not a sign of despair..." It means by looking at one's brows we already know their heart, whether the person is unhappy or happy.

Stanza 2
They went through the terrible flood day and night courageously. They stayed in their house that was full of water due to the flood occurred. They could see dead bodies and the skin of woods floating. They were also worried of their missing albino buffalo as they could not find it.

Explanation:
The flood was terribe but they faced it bravely. They stayed in the water all the time with the dead bodies of animals and small chips of trees all around them. In the stanza, the strong bond between family members is shown when the poet said "... desperately looking for their son's, albino buffalo that was never found..." They searched for the buffalo which was owned by their son. Because of the love, they were willing to sacrifice looking for the animal. Albino buffalo here is 'kerbau balau'. It shows that this flood happened in a village. (Thanks to Cikgu M. Faisal Abdullah for the meaning!)

Stanza 3
They were not born in a wealthy family but they grew up without grumbling. They lived happily and even could make jokes.

Explanation:
Amidst means among. That means they were born and grown in the hardships and they were used to living like that. They lived happily is shown '... making jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves.' Cigarette leaves is 'rokok daun'. (My husband smokes this when he doesn't have money to buy cigarettes.huhuhu) It means they lived comfortably even though they lived in poverty.

I hope all of these could help you understanding the poem and help you in teaching and learning process! Till then, do comment and I really appreaciate it! Bye! Thanks!