A FIGHTER’S LINES

Marzuki Ali

(Best performance with Microsoft Powerpoint 7)

This slideshow is developed for the purpose of Literature Component Training course for the PPD Hulu Selangor.Created by: Mohd Faisal Farish bin Ishak – bea5072farish@gmail.com

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

A Fighter’s Lines

Marzuki Ali

I am old and wornand have lost all my strengthsufferingsand the history of the fight for independencehave forced sacrificesthat know no nameor life

from the wheelchair of the rest of my daysI, body and energy crushedsee and cannot do muchthese times are too big a challengefor the remnants of my crippled yearsthe net of deceit spread everywheredisturbs me

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

A Fighter’s Lines

Marzuki Ali

In the name of justiceWake up and form ranks sons of our ancestorBe braveAnd erect a wall of peopleStand up heirs of our freedom

I have no more voiceIt is you now who should speak!

AUTHORMarzuki Ali

He was born in 1945 in Terengganu, Malaysia. He was brought up in Kemaman and later Sabah. He has been writing poems since 1960’s. His poems mostly deal with issues regarding his hometown, environment and patriotism. A lot of his poems have been published in the Utusan Malaysia, Berita Minggu, Dewan Sastera dan Dewan Budaya. He has also published a few anthologies which include Desir Angin Pantai Timur (1984), Lia (1988), Mantera (1991), Bangau Payang Kolek Sekoci (1993), Puisi Duyung Puisi Rakyat (1999), Jentan Satwa Luka (2000), Rimba Hujan Tropika (2008), Bungkau and Sape Lamanta (2009)He is also active in theatre direction in Malaysia and Indonesia. He has set up a theatre group in Terengganu called ‘Grup Teater Asyik’. Among the plays he has directed are Naskhah Sophocles (1991) and Bangsawan Makbeh (1998)

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

SYNOPSIS

The persona in this poem is an old soldier. He is tired as he is old and weak. He and his people suffered in the past in their fight for freedom of their country and they made many sacrifices. People lost their lives and some remain nameless or unknown.

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

SYNOPSIS

The persona who believes that he will be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life says he can only watch the happenings around him. Physically, he is helpless and he has no energy left. He was either seriously injured when he was a soldier or is very ill. He finds that times have changed and being a crippled man, it is too challenging for him to fight the injustice he sees around him. He is troubled by the many lies being told everywhere.

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

SYNOPSIS

Being highly-spirited, he calls on the younger generation to wake up and fight on. They have to realise that they have to form lines or ranks irrespective of racial, religious and social differences to fight courageously for justice. He wants the young people who inherited the country’s freedom to be united to fight the injustice and denounce lies which may threaten.

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

The persona feels helpless that he is not heard. He urges the younger generation to fight or speak up for what is right because it is now their turn to do so.

SETTING

The poem is set after independence. The persona feels that the independence he has struggled for is now threatened by subversive elements.

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

TONE AND MOOD

In the first stanza, the tone indicates that the persona is sad and weary because he is old and weak. The persona is also melancholic, reflecting on his past sacrifices he made for the country’s independence.

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

TONE AND MOOD

In the second stanza, the persona voices his helplessness, anger and contempt because his country is facing threats.

In the third stanza, the tone used is serious and demanding. The persona urges the present generation to form a united front to uphold the freedom that he and many others has fought for.(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

TONE AND MOOD

In the end the persona insists that the younger generation continues to fight against injustice because he no longer can do so.

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

THEMES

Patriotism….

Being courages….

Unity….

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

WHAT’S NEXT?

In your group, discuss and present the best way to present a stanza/stanzas of the poem.Convey the tone and mood of

course !

(Source: BPK.MOE. [module] Form 3 Poem, A Fighter’s Lines)

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