Abdul Latiff bin Haji

Mohidin. Born in 1941, in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan. A charismastic and multitalented person who is an accomplished artist, writer and thinker.

Malaysias most celebrated living artist and poet and is considered a national treasure.

 Called Boys Wondersince the age of 11, he got his art training in Germany, France and America.

In Germany, France and America, he shaped the development of art practice and literature through his extraordinary vision.

 During his travels in 1960s, he wrote several poems, the most popular being the Sungai Mekong collection. Held numerous exhibitions locally and abroad. Has received numerous awards in Asia and Europe for his works.

At dawn they returned home their soaky clothes torn and approached the stove their limbs marked by scratches their legs full of wounds but on their brows there was not a sign of despair The whole day and night just passed they had to brave the horrendous flood in the water all the time between bloated carcasses and tiny chips of tree barks desperately looking for their sons albino buffalo that was never found They were born amidst hardship and grew up without a sigh or a complaint now they are in the kitchen, making jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

{ LITERALLY }

Stanza 1

A family : returned home at day break and headed for the stove. because they were hungry and to dry themselves clothes were soaking wet and tattered. bodies were covered with scratches and wounds. did not display any signs of being worried.

 Stanza 3 Stanza 2

The family : were out in the flood the whole day and night. were surrounded by dead animals and tiny pieces of tree barks. were searching for their sons albino buffalo unable to find it.

The family: were born into poverty and difficulty do not complaining or expressing unhappiness. sit in the kitchen, cracking jokes while smoking cigarettes, instead. leads a life of hardship have inner strength that makes them strong to face any hardship poses to them.

This poem is about : - A family who faces hardship - Their sons albino buffalo is nowhere to be found as flood occurs. - They reach home early in the morning, making jokes and rolling cigarette leaves - They do not in despair ( Prefer to be grateful )

Hidden Message
In the Midst of Hardship is a
poem that reminds us that life has its ups and downs. It puts forward the idea that life is not always comfortable and safe. There are good times and there are difficult or precarious times. People are faced with difficulties during natural disasters such as floods. They encounter hardship, pain and even death. However, the horror will eventually subside and then life goes on. Instead of lamenting the painful experience, the villagers choose to be grateful and optimistic. They are grateful to still be alive and be able to go back home with their family.

Setting
TIME

Present
PLACE

-- Prove shows it was set as flood occurs -* Horrendous flood

A village where flood occurs recently

they had to brave the -- Prove shows it was set horrendous flood Stanza 2, Line in a Village -9 * Buffalo * In the water all the time desperately looking for their sons in the water all the time Stanza 2, Line albino buffalo that was never 10 found.
Stanza 2, Line 13 and

Persona

Themes
FACING HARDSHIP WITH OPTIMISM Hardship of a family goes through during a flood. Remain positive and cheerful despite of the natural disaster. Return home and carry on with their normal activities. Even make jokes to each other. No sign of despair. CONSEQUENCES OF A NATURAL DISASTER The after effects of a flood. Sustain numerous injuries Properties are destroyed Lives are lost Shows destructive force of nature

Moral Value
ALWAYS LOOK AT POSITIVE THINGS

Tone, Mood, Atmosphere

TONE

Be optimistic even when things prove to be very difficult and dangerous. So, we can overcome any obstacles
HAVE TO BE ACCEPTING OF THE HARDSHIP

Sympathetic and empathetic * Last stanza : Humorous

MOOD

Have to remain resilient and strong even we are in hardship. By accepting the hardship and enduring it. Difficult time is not a permanent situation It will pass and gradually life becomes more bearable.

Thoughtful and sombre * Last stanza : Delightful

ATMOSPHERE

Acceptance and optimism

Structure and Style

3 STANZAS
* Stanza 1 : 7 lines * Stanza 2 : 7 lines * Stanza 3 : 4 lines

SIMPLE AND CLEAR

Literary Devices
IMAGERY
Refers to description of something that touches our five senses * Example : - Legs full of

ENDING WORDS DO NOT RHYME SIMPLE EVERYDAY WORDS MANY DESCRIPTIVE WORDS
* To portray the horror of the flood

Suffering of people

wounds

- Bloated

Horror of a flood

carcasses

Literary Devices
CONTRAST
Refers to pointing out stark difference between the flood scene and the home scene

IRONY
Refers to a situation that is unusual What happens is the exact opposite of what is expected to happen

* Flood scene : Death

they had to brave the horrendous flood in the water all the time between bloated carcasses
Stanza 2, Line 9,10,11

* We expect the family to lament after face the flood

but on their brows there was not a sign of despair

Stanza 1, Line 6 and 7

* Home scene : Life and

laughter

* Instead, they behave in opposite

manner

now they are in kitchen, making jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves
Stanza 3, Line 17 and

now they are in kitchen, making jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves
Stanza 3, Line 17 and 18