LITERATURE FORM 5.pdf
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FORM 5 (The New Literature Component)
Poems
A Poison Tree by William Blake
What Has Happened to Lulu? by Charles Causley
Novels
Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford
Sing to the Dawn by Minfong Ho
Dear Mr Kilmer by Anne Schraff
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POEMS 1
A Poison Tree by William Blake
Paraphrase of the Poem Stanza 1 The persona was angry with his friend. But when he talked it over with his friend, his anger disappeared. Later on, he was angry with his enemy. However, he does not voice it out and the anger grows. Stanza 2 The persona waters or feeds the anger with fears and tears. But, he covers up his true feelings with pretense and insincere smiles. Stanza 3 The anger grows until it is firmly rooted in the persona and as he puts it, it becomes “an apple tree”. His enemy knows the tree belongs to the persona. Stanza 4 Late one dark night, the enemy goes to the persona’s garden. He most probably ate the apple from the poison tree because the next morning, the persona finds him lying on the ground beneath the tree.
Themes
Anger with friends Insincerity and deceit
Communication and bad feelings
THEMES Danger of holding back one’s feelings
Obsession and consequences
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MORAL VALUES
We should not allow anger to control our life.
We should express our feelings and not bottle them within us.
Point of View • First person point of view
We should make peace with everyone, no matter friend or foe.
Language and Style • Indirect expression, difficult to understand • Tendency to use words with multiple meanings • Message cum advice to get anger out of one’s system
Rhyme & Rhythm • Four stanzas • Rhyme scheme – a, a, b, b Irony • It is ironical that anger which is a negative thing, grows into a tree which is a positive thing, although it is a poison tree
LITERARY DEVICES
We should know that obsession can lead to destruction and loss of self-control.
Tone and Mood • Serious and perceptive • Unsympathetic and intense Imagery • Stanza 2 gives an image of a tree being well taken care of
Symbol • The tree is a symbol of life, and anger seems to have been given life to grow
Metaphor • The tree of anger, like an apple tree, starts to bear fruit Diction • ‘My wrath did grow’, ‘my foe beheld it shine’, ‘into my garden stole’ are examples of the poet’s choice of language 3
Personification • ‘The night has veiled the pole,’ means the night is personified as a person putting a veil or cover on the pole or light
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Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’ and complete the sentences appropriately. 1. The persona has a difference of opinion with a . 2. When the persona has a tiff with a 3. He feeds the anger with his
but talks it out and the wrath did
, he does not talk it out and the wrath did daily, and morning and night with his
4. He covers up his feelings with .
. .
and nobody knew how he feels because of his deceitful
5. The anger tree in him grows steadily day and . 6. My (the persona’s) enemy sees the fruit .
until the tree bears a fruit fresh and on the anger tree and knows it is not his but
7. That night when the darkness blocked the electric persona’s garden. 8. The next morning, the persona could the ground beneath the .
, the enemy
into the
to his happiness his enemy lying outstretched on
Exercise 2 Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’ and complete the word puzzle below with words from the poem. The letters in the boxes in bold make up two words. Write the words in the space provided. Use the clues to help you. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
A O W W
B
S
S M G
V
Clues 1. A type of fruit 2. Opposite of hard 3. Clear and shiny 4. Reach out or spread out 5. Past tense of steal The words are:
6. To belong to oneself 7. A deep anger 8. A place to grow flowering plants 9. Covered with a thin cloth 10. Cunning tricks 4
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Practices Exercise 1 Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’, and answer the questions that follow. (a) What is the difference between anger and wrath?
(b) Describe a theme portrayed by the poem.
(c) What two things happened to the persona’s anger with his enemy?
(d) ‘And into my garden stole’ Describe how the persona’s enemy enters his garden. Give the literal and figurative meaning of the line above. Description: Meaning:
Exercise 2 Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’, and answer the questions that follow. (a) How has night been personified?
(b) How does the persona feel when he sees his enemy lying on the ground?
(c) What is ironic in the development of the persona’s anger?
(d) ‘I was angry with my friend…my foe’ How does the persona solve the difference of opinion with his friend and his foe? In your opinion, why is there a difference in his approach to the same problem? Solution: Opinion: 5
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Exercise 3 Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’, and answer the questions that follow. (a) What is the meaning of the line ‘and I sunned it with smiles’?
(b) Who is said to have entered the persona’s garden and what is he perceived to have done?
(c) Give a moral value you have learned from the poem.
(d) ‘And I watered it in fears’. What other steps does the persona take to keep his anger alive? What are the end results of this anger for the persona and the enemy? Steps: End results:
Exercise 4 Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’, and answer the questions that follow. (a) What is the poem mainly about?
(b) In stanza 1, who are the two people the persona was angry with?
(c) List the ways the persona fed his anger. What did it become?
(d) ‘And it grew both day and night’. What does the word ‘it’ in the line refer to? Do you think it is healthy for the persona to do what he did with his feelings? Give a reason for your answer. Word reference: Opinion and reason:
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What Has Happened to Lulu? by Charles Causley
Paraphrase of the Poem Stanza 1 The persona questions about the whereabouts of Lulu as her bed is empty except for an old rag-doll and a shoe. Stanza 2 The window in the room is open and the curtain is flapping while on the dusty shelf the money-box is missing. There is only the mark of a circle where the money-box used to be. Stanza 3 The persona wants to know why his mother is shaking her head and shedding tears. She has crumpled up a note and says it is of no importance. Stanza 4 The persona heard people talking and the roar of a car engine late at night but is told it was all part of a dream. Stanza 5 The persona also heard somebody cry either in pain or anger but is told it was a gust of rain. Stanza 6 The persona wants to know why his mother is wandering about in a daze not knowing what to do. He is confused about the disappearance of Lulu.
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Themes
The running away of a young family member Parents’ and siblings’ feelings of loss
Feelings of helplessness
THEMES
Concern for the parent
Confusion about the reason
MORAL VALUES
We should not even think of running away from home.
We should be concerned about our parents and appreciate their love and care.
We should be observant of our family members’ behavior and show concern.
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We should realize that running away from problems is not a solution.
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Point of View • First person point of view
Rhyme & Rhythm • Six stanzas • Rhyme scheme – a, b, c, b
Onomatopoeia • ‘curtain flapping free’
LITERARY DEVICES
Imagery • A circle on the dusty shelf where her money-box used to be gives an image of Lulu’s decision to disappear completely as she has taken her life savings with her Metaphor • The cry of anger or pain is compared to a gust of rain
Alliteration • ‘‘Why is her window wide’ Repetition • The question ‘What has happened to Lulu, mother?’ is repeated to emphasize the desperation of the persona
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Tone and Mood • Inquiring and anxious • Perceptive and aware • Feeling of helplessness
Language & Style • Simple, easy to understand • Questioning
Rhetorical question • ‘Why do you tell me …a dream and nothing more?’
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Irony • On the night before, the persona heard voices, a car engine’s roar and a cry of anger or pain. But, his mother told him it’s a part of his dream and a gust of rain. Ironically, now that Lulu has disappeared, the persona’s mother seems worried as she wanders about in a daze
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Symbol • ‘The curtain flapping free’ symbolizes the person’s freedom • ‘Nothing on her bed’ symbolizes the emptiness of the room
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Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and tick (✓) the statements that are true. 1. The persona wants to know the whereabouts of his sister, Lulu.
(
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2. He notices an old rag doll and a shoe in Lulu’s room.
(
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3. The window is wide open and Lulu is climbing out of it.
(
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4. There are dollar notes and coins on the clean shelf.
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5. The persona’s mother turns her head away with tears in her eyes.
(
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6. Lulu has left a note and it is crumpled and burning on the fire.
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7. The persona dreams of going for a car ride with Lulu.
(
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8. The persona is sure he heard Lulu and mother quarrelling in the night.
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9. It was raining the night before.
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10. The persona is curious as to why his mother is wandering about helplessly.
(
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Exercise 2 Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and solve the crossword puzzle with the help of the clues given below. 1. R
2. D
3. S
4. Y
5. S 6. T 7. C
8. O
9. O 10. C
11. M
12. O
13. W
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Clues Across
Down
2. Full of dust 5. Something we wear on one foot 7. To crush or wrinkle 8. Either 10. Piece of cloth hung as screen 11. A container for keeping money 13. Not narrow
1. Sound made by an animal or vehicle 3. Flat thin piece of wood attached to the wall 4. Refers to other person one is talking to 6. Discharge from eye when one cries 9. Solely 12. Not young
Practices Exercise 1 Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and answer the questions that follow. (a) What does the open window signify?
(b) Whom do you think has written the note and to whom is it addressed?
(c) Explain a theme portrayed in the poem.
(d) ‘What has happened to Lu?’ Do you think the persona is a small boy? Give two evidence based on the poem for your answer. Evidence one: Evidence two:
Exercise 2 Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and answer the questions that follow. (a) What is the poem mainly about and who are the personas?
(b) How do we know that the persona’s mother feels sad?
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(c) What does the ‘curtain flapping free’ symbolise?
(d) ‘I heard somebody cry’ Whose cry do you think the persona heard? Give a reason for your answer. Why is it dismissed by the mother as a gust of rain? Cry and reason: Mother’s reason:
Exercise 3 Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and answer the questions that follow. (a) What is the tone of the poem and why do you think this is so?
(b) How does the persona’s mother show that she does not know what to do about the situation?
(c) What moral lesson have you learned from the poem?
(d) ‘And say it is nothing at all’ What do you think made Lulu do what she did? How do you think parents feel when children do what Lulu had done? Give a reason for your answer. Reason: Feelings:
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NOVELS 1
Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford
Setting Place • Appleton Town – stadium, school, hospital, water tower, City Hall
SETTING
Time • Last Friday in October up to a November evening: – from the day of the Big Game till the victory parade
Characters
Cecil Butterworth
Juanita Josephina Gonzalez (JJ)
Newton Newman
CHARACTERS
Mary Newman
Chris Newman
Patrick Newman
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Plot
EXPOSITION
Newton prepares breakfast for his family, but they are too preoccupied to entertain him. Wishing to be noticed, Newton and his friends – JJ and Cecil – plan to make interesting Halloween costumes. At the Big Game, Newton’s brother, Chris is knocked into a coma. Reggie is believed to be the culprit.
CONFLICT
Worried about Chris and with his parents busy at the hospital, Newton cannot think of a Halloween costume. JJ and Cecil help him to make a costume out of Chris’s old clothes, complete with a mask. Newton feels transformed, and proudly says that he is Captain Nobody. The Halloween treat-or-trick night is a success.
CLIMAX
Newton feels strong and assured in his costume, and wears it to school. Over the next few days, as Captain Nobody, he experiences a series of adventures. He helps old Mr Clay home, stops a robbery, and averts an airplane tragedy. Newton rescues Reggie, mistakenly thinking he wanted to kill himself, but ends up falling.
FALLING ACTION
Newton faints and is admitted to the hospital for broken ribs and ankle, in the same room as Chris. His parents discuss the daring adventures he was involved in. They feel proud and realize they should be more caring. Newton is thrilled to be near Chris yet worried about him at the same time.
RESOLUTION
Feeling steamed, Newton unintentionally shouts ‘Hit the showers!’ which makes Chris come out of his coma. JJ and Cecil visit Newton at the hospital. They are interviewed about Captain Nobody, and the newspaper headlines say ‘He Went Up a Nobody, but He Came Down a Hero’.
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Themes
Family relationship
Excel at one’s work
Creativity
THEMES
Friendship and teamwork
Sibling bonding
Moral Values MORAL VALUES
We should build strong family relationships and be there for each other, as well as spend quality time together.
We should have confidence and trust in our friends to keep the friendship strong, and cooperate as a team.
We should use our creative abilities and hone our skills for the good of oneself and others.
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When we are engaged in doing something, we should make all efforts to do well.
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Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 Fill in the blanks with appropriate expressions from the list below to complete the synopsis of the story, ‘Captain Nobody’. stops a robbery football star after six days top of the water tower Halloween costumes falls into a coma adventurous rescues prevent an airplane tragedy
identity as Captain Nobody trick-or-treat
Newton Newman prepares breakfast for his family but they are too busy to enjoy it. His father . He feels and mother are workaholics and his brother, Chris, is a (1) side-lined time and again but he does not feel lonely. His two good friends, JJ and Cecil want that would reflect their inner self. It is the to come out with new (2) . Worried Big Game of the season but Chris is knocked out and (3) about Chris, Newton cannot concentrate on making a costume. JJ and Cecil help Newton come . They have a out with his costume which ultimately gives him an (4) night. This is followed by (6) successful (5) at a by Captain Nobody. He helps a confused Mr Clay home and (7) jewellery store. While trying to save Ferocious, the Fillmore mascot, Captain Nobody clears the . He then helps to rescue Reggie from the highway and this helps to (8) but falls to the ground and ends up in the hospital. He recovers and (9) . Newton’s parents know of his identity sees Chris for the first time (10) as Captain Nobody and his exploits. They are proud and happy as both sons recover and the family is together again.
Exercise 2 Write True (T) or False (F) for the statements below. 1. Newton prepares breakfast for the family but they are too busy for food.
(
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2. Newton tries desperately to identify his ‘inner other’ and personal hero.
(
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3. At the Big Game, Chris is on top of the pile of players after his touchdown.
(
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4. Chris is not badly hurt as nothing is broken but he falls into a coma.
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5. Newton refuses to wear the costume with C.N. written on it.
(
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6. He takes the name Captain Nobody from his book of comic heroes.
(
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7. He decides to wear his Halloween costume to school as it gives him an identity.
(
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8. The teacher phones Newton’s parents to complain about his costume.
(
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9. Captain Nobody scores a few successful rescues and is acknowledged in the papers.
(
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10. Newton falls into a coma for two days after he falls down from the water tower.
(
)
Practices Exercise 1 Adventurous acts of Captain Nobody are evident throughout the novel. How have they helped the main character? Give reasons with close reference to the text.
Exercise 2 Based on the novel, write on the theme of friendship. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Exercise 3 ‘He Went Up a Nobody, but He Came Down a Hero’. Explain the circumstances that led to this headline and its significance in relation to the main character. Use textual evidence to support your answer.
Exercise 4 Based on the novel, do you think the title is appropriate for the novel? Support your answer using textual evidence.
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Dear Mr Kilmer by Anne Schraff
Setting Place • Turtle Lake, Iowa, America – hunting cabin, school, the Knights’ farmhouse, Schermers’ tavern
SETTING
Time • Year of 1917 when America joined the World War I, to 1918 when the war ended
Characters
Richard Knight
Joyce Kilmer
Hannah Schermer
CHARACTERS
Mrs Hansen
Mr. Knight (Pa)
Angie Knight
Gus Knight
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Plot
EXPOSITION
Richard, Pa and Gus are on a hunting trip for Richard’s first kill—his first deer. Richard purposely misses shooting it, disappointing Pa. In class, Richard learns of the poet, Joyce Kilmer and is fascinated. He writes to Mr. Kilmer and tells him of his secret interest in poetry. Richard sees racial harassment directed at Hannah.
CONFLICT
Richard is the only student to sign the sympathy card for the Schermers. Richard is thrilled to get a reply from Mr. Kilmer. He encourages Richard to share his poems with people around him. His family is indifferent at his poetry and the correspondence, but Mrs. Hansen is impressed. Richard continues writing to Mr. Kilmer.
CLIMAX
Hannah and Richard win the roles for Mrs. Hansen’s programme. But pressure from some parents and students make Hannah decline the role. Richard turns his part down too as he feels it is unfair. Gus informs the family that he has enlisted for war. This upsets his father and Richard fears for his brother’s safety.
FALLING ACTION
One afternoon in early August, Richard receives an emotional letter from Mr. Kilmer about his feelings and the war. He pens a reply but feels an urgency to post it. Along the way, he receives news of Mr. Kilmer’s death. He is stunned and the reality of it hits him when he reads the article in the morning papers.
RESOLUTION
At first, Richard is in anguish. Then, he calms down and writes a poem in memory of Mr. Kilmer. He shares it with the Schermers, who encourage him to publish it. Pa is touched when he sees the poem in the papers, and talks to Richard about his brother, Roland. World War 1 ends, and Richard and Pa have a good relationship.
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Themes
Family bonding
Perils of war and joys of peace
Power of the written word
THEMES
Racial harassment
Patriotism
Moral Values MORAL VALUES
Family relationships can and must be nurtured through family bonding.
We should love the country we live in or are from, and be ready to sacrifice for the country and people.
We should put our thoughts in writing rather than keep them inside all the time.
We should accept the fact that everyone has a right to live in any part of the world and not be harassed for unfair reasons.
War results in loss of lives, property and misery while peace brings joy.
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Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 Read the following statements and arrange them in the correct sequence. The first one has been done for you. (a) At home, Richard reads Mr. Kilmer’s reply to his letter and tells his family about his poetry writing.
( )
(b) Back home, after completing his chores, Richard writes a letter to Mr. Kilmer.
( )
(c) Devastated at the news of Mr. Kilmer’s death, Richard writes a poem titled ‘In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer’.
( )
(d) Richard, who is in tenth grade, is mesmerised by Joyce Kilmer’s poem read out by Mrs. Hansen in class.
( 1 )
(e) Next day, Richard shows Mr. Kilmer’s letter and his own poems to Mrs. Hansen.
( )
(f) He borrows a copy of the poetry book and gets the address of the editor of The New York Times.
( )
(g) Richard continues writing to Mr. Kilmer and learns the latter will be sailing to France to join the war.
( )
(h) In school, the class is invited to sign a sympathy card to Hannah whose family tavern was vandalised.
( )
(i) No one wants to sign the card except for Richard who eventually takes the card to Hannah.
( )
(j) In the ensuing correspondence, Richard learns about the war and conditions in Europe.
( )
Exercise 2 Complete each of the statements with an expression from the list below. a famous poet
did not like to kill animals
the right thing to do
found a new hero
only one signature
knew they would not miss
scribbled the words ‘Dirty Hun’
seemed to speak directly
1. On his first hunting trip, Richard looked at the deer and wished it would sense their presence because he . But, the deer could not smell their presence. 2. When his father and Gus started talking about boxing, Richard slipped away quietly because he his absence. was not interested and 3. Hannah was upset when she looked at her book because someone had on the cover. 21
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4. In class, after hearing Joyce Kilmer’s poem, Richard was impressed because he had - one who felt the same way as him about nature. 5. Richard read the book, ‘Trees and Other Poems’ and liked the poems for their simplicity and to him. So, he wrote a letter to Mr. Kilmer. because they 6. Richard looked at the card for Hannah and felt upset because there was Richard’s.
,
7. When Richard showed Mr. Kilmer’s letter to Mrs. Hansen, she was impressed because he had . made friends with 8. Otto, Hannah’s brother joined the American Expeditionary Forces because he thought it was as he was patriotic.
Practices Exercise 1 Based on the novel, write about an important event that happened to the main character at the hunting cabin. Explain the lessons he learned from this event and how they helped him to cope with later events.
Exercise 2 Based on the novel, write on the theme of family bonding. Use textual evidence from the text to support your answer.
Exercise 3 Based on the novel, write about an incident that you disagree with. With close reference to the text, give reasons for your answer.
Exercise 4 Based on the novel, do you think the title is appropriate for the novel? Use textual evidence to support your answer.
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Sing to the Dawn by Minfong Ho
Setting Place • Village – village school, family’s house, old wooden bridge, Cousin Noi’s house, marketplace, temple SETTING Time • Present day: a week starting from the announcement of the scholarship’s winner to Dawan leaving for the City
Characters
Dawan
Grandmother
Kwai
CHARACTERS
Mother
School teacher
Father
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Plot
EXPOSITION
Dawan and Kwai are expecting the announcement of the exam’s results and scholarship’s winner. They talk about improving life in the village. Kwai says Dawan has a good chance of winning. Dawan is doubtful as she is a girl and the practice of gender inequality makes it unlikely for her to win.
CONFLICT
The school teacher discusses the issue of rent collection by the landlord. Dawan is announced as the winner of the scholarship and Kwai is visibly upset.When Dawan informs her family, Father cannot believe Kwai didn’t win. Mother is not encouraging too, but brings Dawan to Cousin Noi’s house to ask for her support. Only grandmother is openly proud of Dawan.
CLIMAX
Kwai is surprised at Cousin Noi’s discouragement. He tells Dawan he may get to go to the City school instead of her as he is placed second right after her. Dawan feels fear at her diminishing chance, and is afraid Kwai will tell their father. At dinner time, Kwai tests their father with a hypothetical question.
FALLING ACTION
Dawan wants the head monk to persuade her father. At the marketplace, Dawan meets Bao who gives Dawan a free lotus bud and encourages her. The head monk dissuades Dawan from going to the City. Upset, she returns to the marketplace. Dawan hurts her ankle when she tries to stop Kwai from hitting Bao.
RESOLUTION
Father knows the exam results and is angry that they didn’t inform him. In the ensuing discussion, Dawan convinces him to let her go to the City. On the day of her departure, the siblings realize things won’t be the same for them after this. Dawan leaves with a heavy heart and encouragement from grandmother. Kwai waves farewell to her from the wooden bridge.
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Themes
Family support and love
Ideals versus reality
Looking to the future
THEMES
Exploitation of the poor by those in power
Gender inequality
Moral Values MORAL VALUES
We should encourage and support family members who want to better themselves.
Do not take advantage of those who are supposedly lower in status than you are.
We should remember that actions speak louder than words.
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We should look forward to the future with a positive mind.
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Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 Complete the synopsis of the novel, ‘Sing to the Dawn’ by filling in the blanks appropriately with expressions from the list below. a definite answer expresses disbelief improving life gender inequality hurt ankle wins the scholarship a heavy heart expresses disbelief encourages her to move on the head monk dissuades things will not be the same
Dawan and Kwai sit on the wooden bridge to watch the sunrise. They discuss the issue of in the village. Dawan is sure she cannot get the scholarship because (1) . The teacher and students discuss the issue of unfair of the practice of (2) collection of rent and tax by the landlord. The teacher mentions the responsibility that comes with and Kwai is visibly upset. Dawan winning the scholarship. Dawan (3) informs the family that she has won the scholarship, and Father (4) that Kwai is not the winner. Kwai as the second place winner may take away Dawan’s chance of furthering her studies in the City. Father refuses to give Dawan (5) for her going to the City. At the marketplace, Bao, a flower stall girl gives Dawan a lotus bud with her mission against gender inequality. At the temple, and (6) Dawan from pursuing her dream of going for further education. (7) . Finally, Dawan returns to the marketplace and ends up getting a (8) Father relents and gives permission to Dawan while Kwai promises not to challenge her for the scholarship. On the day of her departure, Dawan and Kwai realise that (9) and words of encouragement for them after this. Dawan leaves with (10) from her grandmother. Kwai waves farewell to Dawan from the wooden bridge.
Exercise 2 Answer the following questions. 1. In school: (a) What is the atmosphere in the classroom that morning?
(b) Describe the discussion the class had with the teacher.
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(c) At the end of the lesson, what announcement does the teacher make to the class? 2. The scholarship: (a) What does Dawan tell the family about the scholarship?
(b) How does her father react? Why does he react this way? Why can’t he accept the situation? HOTS
(c) How does Kwai feel and why is Dawan unsure about her going to the City school?
(d) Whom does Dawan approach to get help to convince her father to give her permission? 3. Dawan and Bao (a) Who attempts to console Dawan?
(b) Explain the three steps the person takes :
(i) Initial :
(ii) Words of advice :
(iii) Positive step :
(c) Do you think it is successful? Give a reason for your answer.
HOTS
4. Dawan and Kwai (a) What issue is troubling the two of them?
(b) Kwai’s feelings
(c) Dawan’s feelings
(d) What is the real cause for the unhappy feelings for Dawan and Kwai on the morning of Dawan’s departure for the City? HOTS
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5. What grandmother does: (a) What has grandmother prepared for Dawan?
(b) How does Dawan do the leave-taking with grandmother?
(c) During the leave-taking, how does grandmother advise Dawan?
Practices Exercise 1 Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, do you think the title is appropriate for the novel? Use textual evidence to support your answer.
Exercise 2 Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, write about the main character’s actions and ideas taking into consideration her circumstances and surroundings.
Exercise 3 Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, the statement “I’m / You’re a girl,” appears a few times. Write on the theme in relation to the statement as portrayed in the text.
Exercise 4 Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, what are the main character’s most important traits? Why are these traits important?
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Answers
Exercise 3
POEMS
(a) It means the persona pretended and covered up his anger with insincere smiles. (b) The persona’s enemy is said to have entered his garden and ate the apple from the poison tree. (c) We should not allow anger to control our life. (d) Steps: He sunned it with insincere smiles and deceitful ways and lies to keep it alive. End results: The end result is he built up an obsession or a poison tree that caused destruction to himself and his enemy.
1 A Poison Tree
Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 1. friend, end 2. foe, grow 3. fears, tears 4. smiles, wiles 5. night, bright 6. shine, mine 7. pole, stole 8. see, tree
Exercise 4 (a) The poem is about how the persona allowed his anger to become an obsession within himself. (b) The two people are a friend and an enemy. (c) He despaired over his anger with tears, smiled falsely and covered his anger with falsehoods. It became a poison tree or obsession. (d) Word reference: The word ‘it’ refers to his feeling of anger. Opinion and reason: No, I think it is rather unhealthy because it can consume the person until he cannot think straight and imagines all sorts of unsavoury thoughts about the person he is angry with and others too.
Exercise 2 1. APPLE 2. SOFT 3. BRIGHT 4. OUTSTRETCH 5. STOLE 6. MINE 7. WRATH 8. GARDEN 9. VEILED 10. WILES
2 What Has Happened to Lulu?
Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1
Practices
1. 3 10. 3
Exercise 1
2. 3
5. 3 6. 3 9. 3
Exercise 2
(a) Anger is the feeling of being upset while wrath is deep anger. (b) A theme portrayed by the poem is the dangers of keeping our anger within ourselves. (c) The two things are it festered within the persona until it got out of control and it affected the enemy to take extreme steps to overcome it. (d) Description: The enemy entered the garden like a thief as seen in the use of the word ‘stole’. Meanings: Literal meaning – the enemy entered the persona’s compound to steal something Figurative meaning – the enemy tries to outwit the persona who seems to have lost his self-control for his own benefit but ends up losing out.
Across 2. DUSTY 5. SHOE 7. CRUMPLE 8. OR 10. CURTAIN 11. MONEYBOX 13. WIDE
Down 1. ROAR 3. SHELF 4. YOU 6. TEARDROPS 9. ONLY 12. OLD
Practices Exercise 1 (a) It signifies that Lulu went out through the window or that she talked to whoever she left with from the window. (b) I think Lulu wrote the note and it is addressed to the mother. (c) A theme the poem portrays is parents and siblings’ feeling of grief. (d) Evidence 1: He only noticed the childish things that are found in the room. Evidence 2: His mother dismisses the sounds he heard the night before.
Exercise 2 (a) Night has been personified as a person who has put a cover or veil over a pole or light. (b) He feels happy as it seems he has successfully destroyed his enemy. (c) It is ironic that the anger which is a negative feeling has developed into an apple tree which is a symbol of a good thing. (d) Solution: He talked it out with his friend but he did not express his feelings to his enemy. Opinion: I think he adopts different approaches because it is easier to discuss feelings, good and bad with friends whereas with enemies, one tends to be wary and unwilling to solve the unfriendly, angry feelings.
Exercise 2 (a) The poem is about the running away of a sibling and the personas are the young brother and their mother. (b) She cries in helplessness and wanders about the house. (c) The ‘curtain flapping free’ symbolises the running away of the girl and her new life.
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(d) Cry and reason: I think it is mother’s cry as it was a cry of anger or pain when she saw Lulu running away. Mother’s reason: She dismissed it when asked by the persona as she does not want to upset the boy who does not seem to understand the whole situation.
brother, Chris was a football star and most people did not know that he had a younger brother. His busy parents mostly left Newton to take care of himself. Furthermore, Newton was usually ignored by his classmates due to his small physical size. But when Newton put on the costume and became Captain Nobody, he changed from being shy to confident. His classmates who normally ignored him became his supporters when he was confronted by some bullies. As JJ said, as long as he was Captain Nobody, people would not ignore him and his close friends ever, ever again. Newton also found himself doing things that he usually wouldn’t do. He faced his fear of heights when he helped Cecil get an old drum from a dumpster, and also when he climbed the rotten ladder up the water tower to rescue Reggie.
Exercise 3 (a) The tone is one of inquiring and questioning as the persona questions his mother about his missing sister. (b) She shows this by wandering about the house and not being able to tell the persona the truth of the situation. (c) The moral lesson I have learned from the poem is we should never at any time think of leaving or running away from our family. (d) Reason: I think Lulu could have felt her parents are too restrictive or she is enticed by an adult who wants to take advantage of her youth and innocence. Feelings: Parents feel a great loss and grief because this is a reflection of their parenting and whatever wrong they have done or not done children are their flesh and blood.
Although Newton fell on his way down from the tower and was admitted to the hospital, the townspeople recognised him as a hero. He also gained his parents’ attention and made them realise they have neglected him. On top of that, he was able to wake Chris from his coma. So, the series of adventures did Newton a world of good in all ways. Exercise 2 The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night in the neighbourhood of Appleton. The novel portrays a few themes and one of these themes is that of friendship between the main character and two of his classmates and his sibling.
NOVELS 1 Captain Nobody
Enrichment Exercises
Newton has two close friends, JJ and Cecil in his fourth grade class. The bond of friendship between them is so close that they can tell each other off and yet not take offense at each other’s remarks and comments about their mistakes. JJ and Cecil are the only ones that Newton has showed his secret superhero sketchbooks to, and not even his family members have seen them. The three of them understand and support each other. They feel that they are always ignored by others who act as if they are not visible.
Exercise 1 1. football star 2. Halloween costumes 3. falls into a coma 4. identity as Captain Nobody 5. trick-or-treat 6. adventurous rescues 7. stops a robbery 8. prevent an airplane tragedy 9. top of the water tower 10. after six days
Ever since they met each other in first grade, they had always gone around to trick-or-treat together for Halloween. For this year, they decide to come up with new costumes to be noticed. Newton could not think of a costume as he was worried about his brother’s condition. JJ and Cecil help him to create a costume which gives him confidence, and take on the identity as Captain Nobody.
Exercise 2 1. T 6. F
2. T 7. T
3. F 8. F
4. T 9. T
5. F 10. F
As Captain Nobody, Newton becomes involved in a series of adventures with the help of his two good friends. It was actually because of Cecil that Newton stumbled upon his first rescue. Cecil wanted Newton’s help to retrieve a drum from the dumpster. Old Mr Clay happened to be lost there, and thus Newton helped him home.
Practices Exercise 1 The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night in the neighbourhood of Appleton. He continues to wear the costume over the following few days and get involved in a few adventures as Captain Nobody.
Next, JJ was horrified with the spelling mistakes in the signs of a jewellery shop. She wanted Captain Nobody to tell the shop owners. This caused Newton to unknowingly help to stop the robbery going on in the shop. Besides that, the support and encouragement from JJ and Cecil helped Newton to save Reggie at the water tower. Other than that, Newton has a close relationship with his brother, Chris in spite of their age difference. They have a little routine whereby Newton would yell ‘Hit the showers!’ when Chris overslept in the mornings, and Chris would tease Newton that there are monsters under his bed at night. Despite being side-lined due to Chris’s popularity as a football star, Newton only feels pride for his brother’s success and is very worried when Chris goes into a coma. Eventually, it was because of their close friendship that Newton woke Chris from his coma.
Several adventurous acts of Captain Nobody are evident throughout the novel. Firstly, Newton as Captain Nobody helped an old, confused Mr. Clay home. Later on, he stopped a robbery at a jewellery store. While trying to rescue Ferocious the ferret from the highway traffic, Captain Nobody unintentionally caused the roads to clear as cars stopped to avoid hitting them. This action actually helped to avert an airplane tragedy. In addition, Captain Nobody heroically rescued Reggie Ratner from the water tower, though he ended up hurt. As described in the papers, ‘He Went Up a Nobody, but He Came Down a Hero’.
Close friendship among the characters is clearly portrayed in the novel.
These rescue adventures helped Newton, the main character a great deal mentally and physically. Before gaining an identity as Captain Nobody, Newton was overlooked both at home and in school. His elder
Exercise 3 The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for
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English Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night in the neighbourhood of Appleton. He continues to wear the costume over the following few days and get involved in a few adventures as Captain Nobody.
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hero recognised by the townspeople for his actions. Despite having no magical powers like his comic book heroes, Newton was able to help many people as Captain Nobody.
When Reggie Ratner was spotted on top of the water tower, everyone thought that he was going to commit suicide due to the harassment from Fillmore’s football team. They thought that he was responsible for knocking Chris into a coma. Newton panicked when he heard about this as he knew that it wasn’t Reggie’s fault. He debated on telling someone in authority so that they can talk to Reggie. However, he realised that only he could deliver the news to make Reggie reconsider his supposed suicide.
2 Dear Mr. Kilmer
Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 (a) 6 (f) 2
(b) 3 (g) 8
(c) 10 (h) 4
(d) 1 (i) 5
(e) 7 (j) 9
Exercise 2
The water tower was surrounded by the police and many spectators. Cecil distracted the police while JJ helped Newton to get on the ladder to climb up the water tower. Newton considered retreating as the rungs of the ladder were either broken or not in good condition. On top of that, he has a fear of heights. The faces and sounds of the crowd which grew dimmer the higher he climbed also made him gag and grip the ladder. Nevertheless, the thought of Reggie alone on top of the tower gave Newton the courage to carry on his ascent as Captain Nobody.
1. did not like to kill animals 2. knew they would not miss 3. scribbled the words ‘Dirty Hun’ 4. found a new hero 5. seemed to speak directly 6. only one signature 7. a famous poet 8. the right thing to do
After helping to free Reggie, they started the dangerous descent down the ladder. However, one of the rungs broken by Reggie sent pieces of wood tumbling down on Newton. Startled, he lost his grip and fell to the ground. He ended up in the hospital with broken ribs and ankle as he helped to break Reggie’s fall.
Practices Exercise 1 In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s death in the war in Europe.
The incident was covered by the newspapers. Every front page carried aerial photographs of Newton falling onto the inflatable rescue mattresses. This was accompanied by news of Newton’s other rescue activities. The headlines in the papers read ‘He Went Up a Nobody, but He Came Down a Hero’. In this sense, Newton did literally go up as Captain Nobody and came down a hero for having rescued Reggie Ratner, to the delight of the townspeople and his parents.
The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night in the neighbourhood of Appleton. He continues to wear the costume over the following few days and get involved in a few adventures as Captain Nobody.
An important event that happened to Richard, the main character at the hunting cabin was when he fired at the deer he was supposed to kill, but missed hurting it. From this event, Richard learned two significant lessons from his father and brother respectively. When Richard explained to Pa that he did not kill the deer as it was too painful to take an animal’s life, Pa told him that he feels it too but death is a part of life. On the other hand, Gus reminded Richard that he had to learn to fit in with other people. Richard understood his father’s feelings in relation to death as he had lost a brother in a war. But, he told Gus he did not want to fit in.
Newton’s parents are workaholics and his brother, Chris is a football star. Most of the time, they are so busy that they do not even have time to eat the breakfast Newton prepared for them. After the Big Game, Chris is severely hurt and goes into a coma. Newton’s parents are concerned with Chris and are cooped up at the hospital, leaving Newton to care for himself. They give him little news about Chris and his mother even forgot about Halloween and his clothes for school. To put it bluntly, he is neglected like a “nobody” as his family is too engrossed in their own affairs to really pay attention to him.
These two lessons helped him cope with later events. One of these was when Hannah Schermer’s family was harassed for racial reasons. All of the students did not want to sign the sympathy card for Hannah, but Richard alone signed it and personally handed it to Hannah. When Hannah rejected the role of Lady Liberty, Richard did not want to be Doughboy for the patriotic programme to sell Liberty Bonds. He did all these because he did not support the anti-German sentiment. He carried on his friendship with Hannah knowing full well the other classmates disapprove, as he believed that he was doing the right thing.
For Halloween night, Newton’s friends—JJ and Cecil—create a costume for him complete with a mask. Newton feels different and strong in the costume. When asked who he is supposed to be, Newton has a moment of inspiration and proudly declares that he is not supposed to be anybody. He is Captain Nobody.
The other event was when Richard heard of the loss of Mr. Kilmer in Europe. When he heard of Mr. Kilmer’s death in the war, he was devastated but calmly accepted the loss by expressing his feelings in a poem. Richard described Mr. Kilmer’s death as the loss of ‘a precious little world’. His poem was printed in the Turtle Lake Weekly with unexpectedly good results. Richard and his father learned to have a good father-son relationship from these as they shared the same loss – a brother and a friend.
Exercise 4
The Halloween night is successful, but it was the later activities that enhanced Newton’s image as Captain Nobody. With JJ and Cecil’s help, Captain Nobody got involved in a few rescue attempts. He helped a confused Mr Clay home, stopped a robbery at a jewellery store, and averted an airplane disaster. He also rescued Reggie from the water tower but ended up hurt in the process.
Lessons that Richard learned from an earlier event stood him in good stead in his later years. They helped him to learn to accept death as a part of life and learn to stand up for his decisions even if it didn’t fit in with society’s expectations.
Therefore, the title is most appropriate for the novel because Newton changed from just a neglected nobody to Captain Nobody—a
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Exercise 2
I do not agree with the action of racial bullying because of the effects on the school children. Mrs. Hansen felt that a terrible wrong had been done to the Schermer family and wanted the class to sign a sympathy card for Hannah. The whole class except for Richard refused to sign the sympathy card. As Mrs Hansen put it, the students seem to have lost their integrity and was glad that at least one student still had some integrity.
In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s death in the war in Europe.
Such an incident should not be allowed to take place in any community.
The novel portrays a few themes and one of these is family bonding. Family bonding time is the time that a family spends doing activities together. This is the time for family members to interact, to exchange ideas and learn how to listen to each other.
Exercise 4 In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s death in the war in Europe.
Pa, Gus and Richard spent some time together during the hunting trip for Richard’s first kill. Though it may not have been a successful hunt, it was still family time in which they spent it together doing an activity. That night after supper, the three of them sat around the living room as a form of family bonding. Gus and Pa exchanged views about sports while Richard sat quietly listening to them. In this aspect, the bonding only happens between Gus and Pa as Richard did not have any interest in sports so he could not bond with them through the discussion.
I feel that the title ‘Dear Mr. Kilmer’ is very appropriate for the novel. The title refers to the standard, polite salutation used by Richard to address Mr. Kilmer in his letters. He first learned about the poet when Mrs. Hansen read aloud the poem ‘Trees’ in class. Richard felt as if he had found a new hero as not only did Mr. Kilmer feel the same way as him about nature, he was also brave enough to fight for the country. This prompted him to write a letter to Mr. Kilmer and tell him of his interest in poetry that he hides from everyone. Surprisingly, Mr. Kilmer replies Richard’s letter and this begins a chain of exchanges between the two of them.
During the summer holidays, Richard helped out at the farm diligently. He spent days on horseback, riding across the meadows with his father and tending to the cattle. Although there was still a strange barrier between father and son, Richard felt a closer bond with his father through these activities they did together. When Mr. Kilmer is killed in the war, Richard is devastated by the loss of his hero. He writes a poem titled ‘In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer’ in which he stated ‘a precious little world has died’. The poem strikes a chord in Pa as felt the same things when his brother died in a war many years ago. This helped Pa to finally understand why Richard wrote poems. From then onwards, father and son shared an almost nightly ritual by bonding through poetry. Richard would read his latest poem aloud and Pa would give him ideas.
The start of this correspondence was a wonderful opportunity for Richard to develop socially and personally. Mr. Kilmer encourages Richard to share his poems with the people around him, which help him to find a sense of identity. He also provides Richard with good suggestions for his poetry writing and this helps Richard to improve. Furthermore, Mr. Kilmer gave Richard information about the war and described the situation at the front, which caused Richard to mature and endure the effects of World War 1 on his neighbourhood.
Therefore, it can be seen that the novel portrays the theme of family bonding very well.
As the story developed, so did the bond between Richard and Mr. Kilmer. Even when Richard used the same salutation of ‘Dear Mr. Kilmer’ in his letters to the poet, it had become more than just a salutation to him. It was addressed to someone important in his life and had sentimental connections to him. Joyce Kilmer became someone close to his heart, a hero and a highly valued critic and teacher.
Exercise 3 In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s death in the war in Europe.
As the story is centred on Richard and this correspondence, the title ‘Dear Mr. Kilmer’ is definitely most appropriate for this novel.
The novel portrays a few interesting incidents and one of the incidents I disagree with is that of racial bullying by some residents of Turtle Lake on the Schermer family. This is the time of World War 1 when the allied European powers fought against Germany. America joined the allies in April 1917 until the war ended in 1918. The Schermer family was a German family who had lived in United States for many years and were upstanding members of the community in Turtle Lake. They ran a tavern and because of the war, the tavern was vandalised with terrible things painted over the walls. Hannah Schermer’s book had the words ‘Dirty Hun’ written on its cover.
3 Sing to the Dawn
Enrichment Exercises Exercise 1 1. improving life 2. gender inequality 3. wins the scholarship 4. expresses disbelief 5. a definite answer 6. encourages her to move on 7. the head monk dissuades 8. hurt ankle 9. things will not be the same 10. a heavy heart
These actions of the community and classmates were considered as being patriotic. The Schermers were criticised for singing German songs, conversing in German and serving German food. This was misinterpreted as plotting something and not wanting their neighbours to know about it. I feel that this is unfair as the Schermers were merely using their own language in their conversations. Singing German songs was not wrong as people cannot just turn off their whole culture. On top of that, Otto, Hannah’s brother had joined the American Expeditionary Forces because he was a patriotic American born in America and he thought it was the right thing to do.
Exercise 2 1. (a) There was a hushed expectancy in the classroom.
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English (b) They discuss about paying rent to the landlord with the sacks of rice, ownership of the land and the rights of the landlord to the land. (c) He announces that Dawan is the winner of the scholarship. 2. (a) She tells the family she has won the scholarship and that there is only one winner. (b) Her father cannot believe it and refuses to accept the fact that Dawan won the scholarship instead of Kwai and will be studying in the City. He cannot accept this because he feels that girls should not go for further education. (c) Kwai feels cheated but he holds up well and even teases Dawan that as the second place winner he still has a chance to go to the City. (d) She tries to get cousin Noi and the head monk in the temple to help her. 3. (a) Bao (b) (i) Consoles verbally by offering a should to cry on (ii) Advises Dawan to have belief in herself and not to give up her ideals (iii) Offers her to release a bird for free to symbolise she should use the chance given her properly. (c) Yes, I think it is successful as Dawan feels a rekindling of hope and understands she should do whatever to stay strong. 4. (a) The issue is that both of them want to go for further schooling for the same reasons. (b) Kwai after deciding to accept the situation feels frustrated and challenges Dawan about it being a wasted effort as Dawan may end up as a housewife like their mother. (c) Dawan feels confused about the future and wants Kwai to be supportive and be happy for her. (d) The real cause is both will miss each other very much especially the things they have been doing together and as Kwai says, ‘Nothing will be the same’. 5. (a) She has put Dawan’s new clothes and shoes on the matting. (b) She kneels down in front of grandmother with hands neatly folded and head bent. (c) She advises Dawan this is the first step to a new life and she should not be afraid to face the world with clear, bold eyes.
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City and does not think it right for a mere girl to go in his place. He accuses Dawan of taking her brother’s chance as he is second place after Dawan for the scholarship. Dawan talks frankly and openly with her father and manages to convince him that she is capable of doing something worthwhile with her education. He gives her permission to leave for the City. Another obstacle that Dawan faces is her feeling that she might really be depriving Kwai of further education. However, Kwai is supportive of her. So, Dawan is able to have a new start or a new dawn as she sits in the bus taking her to the City. The title Sing to the Dawn is appropriate as Dawan faces a new dawn, a dawn to be treasured and she can sing about her new start. Knowing that nothing will be the same for her and Kwai after this, she asks Kwai to watch and sing to the dawn for her. Kwai sings to her as the bus she is travelling in leaves the village for the City. So, it is literally and figuratively, singing to the dawn. Exercise 2 The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her education in the City. She has her early education in the village school and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in the City school. Her brother, Kwai comes in second. Both Dawan and Kwai have great ideas about how they can use their education to improve the economic situation in the village. However, Dawn has better grasp of her ideals. She knows that it is hard to change things, even the smallest things, without changing the overall pattern that these things are part of. As she puts it, there must be a whole order or a system with rules and laws. She wants to study how the system works and moves and then help to find a better one. With the scholarship, Dawan will be able to get the necessary education to achieve her ideas and ideals. But, she faces the disapproval of her father who thinks that studying is not for girls and she should give the scholarship to her brother. The general feeling in rural Thailand is that girls do not require further education as ultimately, they will end up as housewives. Dawan refuses to give in and attempts to get help from Cousin Noi and the head monk to talk to her father on her behalf. However, both are not keen as basically they are also gender biased. Her moral support comes from Bao, a girl who sells flowers at the marketplace.
Practices Exercise 1
Finally, although she feels fearful, Dawan talks frankly and openly with Father about giving her a chance. She insists that if Father keeps thinking that she will never be capable of doing anything worthwhile, then of course she really will not be able to. So, in the end she manages to convince Father to let her go for further schooling in the City.
The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her education in the City. She has her early education in the village school and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in the City school. Most mornings, Dawan and her brother, Kwai get up early and they go to the old wooden bridge that overlooks the rice fields. They sit in companionable silence to watch the sun rise and the sunglow creep over the awakening world. Dawan feels the deep joy of a new day radiate from her and she sings a song she made up herself. It is a song of tribute to the dawn or a new day.
Exercise 3 The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her education in the City. She has her early education in the village school and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in the City school.
Dawan wins the scholarship which gives her an opportunity to study in the City and start a new life away from her village. Dawan wants to use her education to improve the economic and social conditions in her village. Economically, the poor farmers are bullied by the landlords and they do not get much for all their hard work. There is gender inequality as girls are not given equal rights. Dawan understands it is hard to change things, even the smallest things, without changing the overall pattern. As she puts it, there must be a whole order or a system with rules and laws. It has to be the dawn of a new day. So, her studies is
The novel portrays a few themes and one of the themes is gender inequality, which is the belief that males and females do not have equal rights. Males are considered to be of a higher status than females and so should be given priority socially and economically. This practice of gender inequality in the rural communities in Thailand is clearly seen in Dawan’s village too. Girls should stay at home and do housework instead of going to school. Although Dawan is a year older than her brother, their parents had considered it foolish and wasteful to send girls to school. She started school on the insistence of her brother.
the mark of a new dawn and the title portrays this – Dawan sings to the dawn.
Winning the scholarship is Dawan’s chance to change the status quo of gender inequality. But, as Dawan puts it, “I’m a girl”, and others around her also emphasize “You’re a girl”. So, it brings out clearly the
Dawan faces obstacles like her father’s disapproval who thinks that studying is not for girls. He is set on Kwai going for studies in the
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problem of sexism. Initially, Kwai in spite of his broad ideals, becomes jealous of her and this causes a rift in the close relationship of the two siblings. This hostility is further exacerbated by Dawan’s father, who feels that the City is no place for a female. Cousin Noi paints a bleak future for girls going to the City. The head monk in spite of his sensitivity tries to impress on Dawan albeit gently the same impression. Eventually, Dawan overcomes Father’s objection only because Kwai is adamant that he does not want to rob his sister of her chance and rights.
patience and obedience. She is caring of her siblings, for example, she lets Kwai use the umbrella while she walks home in the rain with her hurt ankle. This action of hers touches Kwai and he makes up his mind not to contest with her for the scholarship. Determined and adamant, Dawan is confident and farsighted about bringing improvements to the present social and economic injustices through her further education. Having strong feelings about gender inequality in rural Thailand, she is determined not to lose out just because she is a girl. She is adamant although as Father and the head monk put it, she ‘will be wasting her time and spirit’. So, with a strong sense of character, she clarifies with Kwai and Father to get their willing acceptance for her to go to the City school.
Bullying and physical abuse is another aspect of gender inequality as portrayed by the actions of Vichai and Kwai towards Bao. Vichai as the brother of Bao has no hesitation about physically abusing Bao, his sister. He gives her stinging slaps in the open and nobody in the marketplace attempts to help. Kwai defends her but when Bao accuses him of bullying Dawan, he tries to attack her physically too.
When Dawan becomes the object of her father’s anger and frustration and her brother’s challenger, she takes decisive steps to get outside help to convince Father. However, her efforts are fruitless and so she tells Father decisively that she wants him to ‘open her cage door and allow her to soar off and do great things for them all’. She wins her father’s approval as he tells her to go ahead and try.
The story shows gender inequality is a big problem and sets a good example of the need to exert one’s rights and beliefs. Exercise 4
In spite of her ambitious nature, Dawan is appreciative of the moral support from her grandmother, mother and Bao. Grandmother tells her not to be ‘scared all the time’ and not to be a ‘rabbit’ and calms her on the day of her departure. Bao’s friendliness and encouragement help to boost her determination. Most of all, she is appreciative of Kwai’s understanding and for not challenging her for the scholarship.
The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her education in the City. She has her early education in the village school and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in the City school. Dawan, the main character has good character traits like being loving, caring, patient and obedient. These traits made her a loving daughter and granddaughter. Her parents are not in favour of her going to the City school but eventually they gave their full support due to her
So, Dawan’s strong character traits are very important. They stand her in good stead in the fight to overcome the obstacles to let her study in the City school.
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