In The Midst Of Hardship-Synopsis

This poem tells of the hardship that a family in a village faces after a big flood. The elders
return at dawn in soaking-wet clothes. They go straight to the kitchen. They are probably
hungry. Their hands and legs are bruised but they do not show any sign of despair or of losing
hope.
After braving the dreadful flood for the last 24 hours, they still can not find their son’s albino
buffalo. Despite all the adversities and suffering, the people in the poem do not complain or
lament on their misfortunes. They spend time together, enjoying each other’s company. They
are grateful for the fact what they still have instead of what is lost. Life goes on with their
daily chores of preparing food and habit of rolling their cigarette leaves. They are still able to
joke with one another.

QWERTYUIOP-SETTING , CHARACTERS, THEMES AND MORAL

VALUES

Hello everyone, today I would like to talk about a short story called QWERTYUIOP. Here are
some notes that would help you to understand the text better. Thank you to CDC for providing
us with a complete Literature Component module.

SETTING
The story revolves around two main settings: Lucy’s house which she shares with her mother
and her Uncle Bert, and the office of Ross and Bannister’s where Lucy works as a secretary.

CHARACTERS
Lucy Beck : She is a young, shy and insecure graduate of secreterial studies. She is issatisfied
with her current life and is determined to improve it. She obtains a position with Ross and
Bannister’s, only to find that the position comes with a chilling secret.
Ghost of Ms.Bloome : She was the previous employee of Ross and Bannister’s. She is
unwilling to let go of her position and continues to defend her post, even after her demise.
Lucy’s mother : A housewife who lives a hard life. She has to support her brother.
Uncle Bert : Depends on his sister for support. He is also a drunkard.
Harry Darke : Ross and Bannister’s handyman. He is an old man who has been working with
the company for years.
Mr. Ross : The younger partner of the company.

THEMES
Possible themes that can be found in the short story are determination, possessiveness,
loyalty, loneliness, commitment, the supernatural, and compassion.

DETERMINATION:
Despite the supernatural nature by which Ms. Broome badgers and demoralises Lucy, she
shows no signs of giving in to her demand. Instead, she is steadfast in defending her position
as the secretary.
POSSESIVENESS:
Not even death could part Ms. Broome from what she feels is rightfully hers. She continues to
haunt the office through her electronic typewriter.

LOYALTY:
As with her possesiveness towards her job, Ms. Broome was also extremely loyal towards Mr.
Bannister. Even after she passed on, her spirit continued in its endeavour to serve her
employer.

LONELINESS:
Loneliness can be a strong influence in a person’s life. Ms. Broome had no life outside of her
office. That made her more possesive of her position in the company; a possesiveness that
went beyond the grave.

COMMITMENT:
This attribute can be clearly seen in both Lucy and Ms. Broome. Both are extremely
committed to their profession.

THE SUPERNATURAL:
It is interesting that such an integral character in the story happens to be an ethereal entity.
Yet this theme is rather prominent in the story.

COMPASSION:
This theme holds water especially in the final confrontation between Lucy and Ms. Broome. It
is not through hatred nor coercion that Lucy manages to outsmart Ms. Broome, rather, it was
through compassion and understanding of Ms. Broome’s intentions.

MORAL VALUES
• Do not judge a person merely through credentials or qualifications
• We must be committed and responsible to our vocation or profession
• We must value our family.

esei

Pada hari Khamis yang lepas,sekolah saya telah mengadakan sukan tahunan yang menjadi
kewajiban sekolah saya pada setiap tahun.Majlis pembukaan telah dirasmi oleh Encik Wahab
Bin Haji Bujang,pengetua di sekolah saya.Untuk sukan tahunan pada tahun ini,ia disambut
dengan penuh meriah sekali.

        Terdapat 6 rumah sukan yang bertanding untuk sukan ini. Iaitu,rumah

putih,kuning,hijau,jingga,biru,dan merah.Para peserta berasa gementar menanti acaranya
dimulakan.Namun mereka lebih bersemangat apabila terdengar sorakan semangat dari kawan
sepasukan.
        Acara balapan yang dipertandingkan ialah 100m,200m,4 kali 100m,4 kali
400m,1500m,dan 3000m terbuka.Manakala acara padang yang dipertandingkan ialah
melontar peluru,merenjam lembing,melempar cakera,lompat jauh,lompat kijang,dan lompat
tinggi.

        Pada hari Jumaat pula,pagi itu cikgu telah mengumumkan rumah sukan yang menjuarai
sukan tahunan pada tahun ini.Rumah putih telah menjuarai sukan tahunan pada tahun
ini.Manakala rumah kuning naib johan.Dan Rumah hijau mendapat tempat ketiga.

        Pada tengah hari itu,setip pelajar gembira kerana ketiga rumah sukan ini telah mendapat
tempat untuk sukan tahunan pada tahun ini