Biographical Literary Criticism

Poem- The Dead Crow

The author
The Dead Crow is poem written by Dato’ A. Samad Said, whose real name is Abdul
Samad Muhammad Said.

Abdul Samad bin Mohamed (born April 9, 1935), is a Malaysian novelist and poet.
In May 1976, he was named by Malaysia literature communities and many of the
country’s linguists as the Pejuang Sastera (Literary Exponent) received the 1976 and
1979 Southeast Asia Write Award, and in 1986, the title Sasterawan Negara or
National Laureate in recognition of his continuous writings and contributions to the
nation’s literary heritage, or Kesusasteraan Melayu.

A. Samad Said was great author who explored almost every genre of literature
and creative writing. Two of his significant works are Salina about prostitute in pre-
independence Malay, and Hujan Pagi (translated to English as Morning Post),
considered Malaysia’s first magical realism novel. He wrote novels, short tales, poems,
essays, plays, and articles among other things. From 2000 to 2009, his poem “The
Dead Crow” was translated to English and included in the Malaysian lower secondary
school English literature curriculum. According to a survey of 360 students, the poem
was described as “hardest to understand” of all poems taught in secondary school by 10
(2.8%) of the students.

Samad was born in a native of Malaccan Kampung village of Belimbing Dalam,

near town of Durian Tunggal. As a great Malaysian writer and has been honored with
the title of Sasterawan Negra (National Laureate), he devoted completely himself to
writing.

The Dead Crow discusses what will happen if the environment is damaged. The
character is sad because, despite their country’s wealth, people become ill and have
breathing problems. People get ill as result of polluted air and a degraded environment.
Samad might observed the same scenario with his surrounding which inspired him to
write the poem. He want to inform his readers or people about the importance of taking
care of the environment. If the people in their country are ignorant, selfish, and continue
to pollute and harm the environment no one will still suffer but them. Thus, people might
not be able to live longer as what happen to the Crow.

One of his beliefs was reflected on the poem stated “Let the politicians plan how
we may live with dignity, now and always”. The people should follow and respect the
rules set by the politicians, where there should be awareness and balanced
development to protect and avoid everyone from dangers. Why does this belief being
stated in one of his works? Does this belief related to Samad’s activism and
politicalviews?

In 2009, A. Samad together with his four literary scholars, campaigned to abolish
PPSMI (Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English) in Malaysian secondary
schools. He believe that such proposition is needed to prevent the degradation Malay
language usage in Malaysia. He also participated in an anti-PPSMI rally near the
Malaysia Royal Palace in order to hand over the memorandum to the palace. This is
how he connects his line “d “Let the politician’s plan how we may live with dignity, now
and always”.

A .Samad Said major concern in the poem is about nature and the environment,
effects of pollution, concern for future generation. The phrase “I want” was repeated 3
times to give emphasis on his desires, and demand. He reflect on his contemporaries
where is influenced by his past when he write his works.

The Dead Crow has a significant point in our life. A. Samad Said is truly a great
author. This poem may be described as “hardest to understand” of all poems taught in
secondary school by 10 (2.8%) of the students. However, it gives a remarkable lessons
to all of the people who can and understand it. It informs us that excessive development
destroys the earth. Pollutions affects us. Therefore, we should preserved nature for the
next generation.
It is our collective and individual responsibility. To preserve and tend to the world in
which we live. – Dalai Lama