8/12/2019 SPM Form 4 English Literature Notes

1/3

SPM Form 4 English Literature Notes

notes.

In The Midst of Hardship

Posted on12/04/2011bybobjulian

IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIPLatiff Othman

At dawn they returned home

their soaky clothes torn

and approached the stovetheir limbs marked by scratches

their legs full of wounds

but on their brows

there was not a sign of despairThe whole day and night just passed

they had to brave the horrendous floodin the water all the time

between bloated carcasses

and tiny chips of tree barks

desperately looking for their sonsalbino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardshipand grew up without a sigh or a complaint

now they are in the kitchen, makingjokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

SYNOPSIS (OVERALL)In this poem, the poet tells of the situation of a farmer and his family. They come back at dawnafter being out in the floodwater for a day and night. They are looking for their albino buffalo.

They come back wet and hurt but they do not show any despair. They have been born into a life

of hardship and have never complained. Now, they are in the kitchen and they joke and talkwhile preparing to relax with a smoke.

http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/in-the-midst-of-hardship/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/in-the-midst-of-hardship/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/in-the-midst-of-hardship/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/in-the-midst-of-hardship/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/in-the-midst-of-hardship/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/author/bobjulian/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/author/bobjulian/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/author/bobjulian/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/author/bobjulian/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/in-the-midst-of-hardship/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/in-the-midst-of-hardship/http://form4englishliterature.wordpress.com/

8/12/2019 SPM Form 4 English Literature Notes

2/3

SYNOPSIS (ACCORDING TO STANZA)

STANZA 1

They returned home at dawn and headed for the stove. Their clothes were soaking wet and

tattered. Their bodies were covered with scratches and wounds. Yet, they did not display anysigns of being worried.

STANZA 2

They were out in the flood the whole day and night. They were surrounded by dead animals and

parts of trees that had been destroyed by the flood. They searched desperately for their sonsalbino buffalo but were unable to find it.

STANZA 3

They were born into poverty and difficulty, but they do not complain about their suffer. Instead,

they sit in the kitchen, cracking jokes while smoking cigarettes.

SETTINGThe setting of the poem is in the house.

THEMESPatience in life

Family loveAcceptance of way of life

MORAL VALUESWe should learn to accept problems in life with a positive outlook.We must attempt to face and solve problems.

Failure is part of growing up.

Do not despair in the face of failure.

TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHEREUnderstanding and sympathetic

MiserableAcceptance of situation

8/12/2019 SPM Form 4 English Literature Notes

3/3

POINT OF VIEWThird person point of view.

LANGUAGE & STYLELanguage is simple and easy to understand.

The style is simple with no rhyming scheme.

POETIC DEVICESImageryGives picture of poets thoughts e.g soaky clothes torn and legs full of wounds

Alliteratione.g. but on their brows

Symbolse.g. horrendous flood and bloating carcassesDictione.g. stove and brows