As the Israel-Arab Conflict arise, a lot of people have been affected. In the poem Song of Becoming by Fadwa Tuqan, she tells a story of a bunch of boys who had a very happy childhood. The boys used to play, fly kites and laugh together. But when they grew older, their happiness were stolen from them. Their normal lives were taken away. They now became soldiers and they were fearful to many people.
Also notice that the bunch of boys mentioned in the poem didn't refer to Palestinians nor Israelites. I believe that Tuqan did not mention anything of the background of the boys since these boys can refer to both Palestinians and Israelites. They had the same childhood. They both experienced fun and play. But as they grow up, they become soldiers. Palestinian soldiers against Israelites and vice versa.
This poem conveys a sad message both to Israel and Palestine. Because of the conflict they have, many lives have changed. Many people have been affected. Many have sacrificed their lives. And it is so sad that the war can't end right away. Until when will the hardships continue? When will the fight end? Will there be someone who would give in and accept defeat? And these questions will still remain unanswered.
Monday, August 17, 2009
unpacking of Guests on the Sea.. .
Palestine is located between the shores of the Mediterranean and the Jordan River. It has been ruled by Jews, Christians, and Muslims who all wanted to own the land for their own needs and demands. Because of this, a lot of conflicts have emerged.
In the poem Guests on the Sea by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, he talks about the journey of Palestinians and their struggles for having their own land since this land is considered to be owned by Israel.
1. Who are the guests on the sea? Where do they come from?
*
We did not come to this country from a country...
We did not come to this place from a language of place...
The 'we' referred here are the Palestinians and they are the guests on the sea. They did not come from other countries and they grew up in the same land (the 'sea' referred in the poem) that Israel has considered to be theirs. They were called guests because they didn't have the right to land ownership. Palestine is recognized as a nation but it is not a country.
2. What do images of pomegranates and glue of memory evoke?
*
we came from pomegranates, from the glue of memory...
A pomegranate is a fruit that grows on different countries and also the place Palestinians longed for. It shows that they've been on that place for very long. It's like the Palestinians were seeds scattered on that land and there they grew. The 'glue of memory' is an image that adds to the idea of being temporary. 'Memory' implies that it does not exist anymore -- it's just a memory. It gives an idea that they did not come from somewhere else. They came from that same place that they 'visited'.
3. Explain the meaning of journey. Why does the short visit go long?
*
Guests on the sea: Our visit is short...
Do not ask us how long we will stay among you,
do not ask us anything about our visit...
On the very first line of the poem, the persona seems to be not sure if they would really have a short visit. The line is an irony. As the persona says this line, he convinces himself that the visit would be short although he really doubts if it would come true. The journey they have is the journey for having a land of their own. Their journey becomes long although they said that it'll be short. It becomes long since the Israelites wouldn't give them what they needed and until now, they struggle and fight for what they believed should be righteous for them. They become like squatters in the land where they were born and grew.
4. Explain the biblical allusions: creation, apple, sacrifice, and mercy, present in the poem.
*
from what Mediterranean will the creation begin?
We shall send another apple to the waters, circles within circles...
Is there another rock over which to offer a new sacrifice for your mercy?
In the first line, the creation here means the creation of the universe like what was stated in the Bible. They sought for a place they can live in the Mediterranean. The apples mentioned here does not necessarily mean the temptation. It gives the idea of significance of the apple in the Bible. They sent another apple in the sea because they did not lose hope in their struggle. When the apple was sent to the sea, it created ripples and this ripples represent the visit of the guests which goes longer. The second line above is like a question to every Palestinian and asks, "What will we do? Will there be hope?" It shows their great longing for a land of their own. They are also like begging because of the word mercy. They are perhaps seeking for help to God so that their sufferings would end.
5. What is implied by the repeated phrase: Sea, do not give us the song we do not deserve. What is meant by the metaphoric use of martyr, wise men, and woman.
*
woman has her first task: seduction...
it is for martyrs to explore in dream...
it is for wise men to lead a people on towards happy dreams...
The song referred here can possibly be the bombings. When a bomb explodes, it creates a sound and that perhaps could be the melody of the song. It is not the song they deserve because the song creates bad melody and it is not beneficial for them. The bombs were not the one they needed. They needed a land of their own. The use of metaphors like woman, martyr and wise men all refer to Palestinians who have tasks to do. Woman here perhaps refers to Eve and she is responsible why we all know what is good and evil. The martyr here can also be a character in the Bible like Abel. He was very obedient to God. On the other hand, the wise men worshipped Jesus as they sought for him. They gave Jesus gifts, too.
6. Explain imagery of distance and alienation as the language of land.
Because of the conflict between the Israelites and Palestinians, the Palestinians have become distant and alienated. In another sense, the language of Palestine and Israel are very different that they become so distant of each other especially Palestine since they were regarded only as guests. A simpler interpretation of this can be a Filipino and a Korean. In the Philippines, most Filipinos cannot understand the language of Koreans and Koreans are only regarded as guests in the country.
7. In the last stanza, comment on: the implication of what is lost and desired and the line: the sea has died within us...
*
How many moons have given their rings to one who is not of us.
How many stones has the swallow aid in the distance.
How many years shall we sleep as guests on the sea, wait for a place and say:
In a little while we shall leave here.
We have died from sleep and have broken here.
It is only the temporary that will last in us, age of the sea.
**
We want to live for a time, not for nothing
...but we want the country of our morning coffee
we want the fragrance of primitive plants
we want a special school
we want a special cemetary
we want a freedom
the size of a skull... and a song.
The lines under the first asterisk are images of the sacrifices of the Palestinians in their struggle for having a country of their own. The lines under the second asterisk are images of the desires of the Palestinians. They really wanted a land they can call theirs. They do not want to be guests on the sea. They want to settle in their own country.
The line 'the sea has died within us' somehow shows that the persona slowly loses hope. This line also conveys a meaning for all the Palestinians. It is like a call to action. Although they still haven't won today, there's still hope especially if all of them would make a move.
Mahmoud Darwish probably made this poem to serve as a call to all Palestinians. It gives hope to all of them especially those who have sacrificed and lost a lot during their struggles. Indeed, in every dark cloud, there's always a silver lining in it. And there will always be hope.
In the poem Guests on the Sea by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, he talks about the journey of Palestinians and their struggles for having their own land since this land is considered to be owned by Israel.
1. Who are the guests on the sea? Where do they come from?
*
We did not come to this country from a country...
We did not come to this place from a language of place...
The 'we' referred here are the Palestinians and they are the guests on the sea. They did not come from other countries and they grew up in the same land (the 'sea' referred in the poem) that Israel has considered to be theirs. They were called guests because they didn't have the right to land ownership. Palestine is recognized as a nation but it is not a country.
2. What do images of pomegranates and glue of memory evoke?
*
we came from pomegranates, from the glue of memory...
A pomegranate is a fruit that grows on different countries and also the place Palestinians longed for. It shows that they've been on that place for very long. It's like the Palestinians were seeds scattered on that land and there they grew. The 'glue of memory' is an image that adds to the idea of being temporary. 'Memory' implies that it does not exist anymore -- it's just a memory. It gives an idea that they did not come from somewhere else. They came from that same place that they 'visited'.
3. Explain the meaning of journey. Why does the short visit go long?
*
Guests on the sea: Our visit is short...
Do not ask us how long we will stay among you,
do not ask us anything about our visit...
On the very first line of the poem, the persona seems to be not sure if they would really have a short visit. The line is an irony. As the persona says this line, he convinces himself that the visit would be short although he really doubts if it would come true. The journey they have is the journey for having a land of their own. Their journey becomes long although they said that it'll be short. It becomes long since the Israelites wouldn't give them what they needed and until now, they struggle and fight for what they believed should be righteous for them. They become like squatters in the land where they were born and grew.
4. Explain the biblical allusions: creation, apple, sacrifice, and mercy, present in the poem.
*
from what Mediterranean will the creation begin?
We shall send another apple to the waters, circles within circles...
Is there another rock over which to offer a new sacrifice for your mercy?
In the first line, the creation here means the creation of the universe like what was stated in the Bible. They sought for a place they can live in the Mediterranean. The apples mentioned here does not necessarily mean the temptation. It gives the idea of significance of the apple in the Bible. They sent another apple in the sea because they did not lose hope in their struggle. When the apple was sent to the sea, it created ripples and this ripples represent the visit of the guests which goes longer. The second line above is like a question to every Palestinian and asks, "What will we do? Will there be hope?" It shows their great longing for a land of their own. They are also like begging because of the word mercy. They are perhaps seeking for help to God so that their sufferings would end.
5. What is implied by the repeated phrase: Sea, do not give us the song we do not deserve. What is meant by the metaphoric use of martyr, wise men, and woman.
*
woman has her first task: seduction...
it is for martyrs to explore in dream...
it is for wise men to lead a people on towards happy dreams...
The song referred here can possibly be the bombings. When a bomb explodes, it creates a sound and that perhaps could be the melody of the song. It is not the song they deserve because the song creates bad melody and it is not beneficial for them. The bombs were not the one they needed. They needed a land of their own. The use of metaphors like woman, martyr and wise men all refer to Palestinians who have tasks to do. Woman here perhaps refers to Eve and she is responsible why we all know what is good and evil. The martyr here can also be a character in the Bible like Abel. He was very obedient to God. On the other hand, the wise men worshipped Jesus as they sought for him. They gave Jesus gifts, too.
6. Explain imagery of distance and alienation as the language of land.
Because of the conflict between the Israelites and Palestinians, the Palestinians have become distant and alienated. In another sense, the language of Palestine and Israel are very different that they become so distant of each other especially Palestine since they were regarded only as guests. A simpler interpretation of this can be a Filipino and a Korean. In the Philippines, most Filipinos cannot understand the language of Koreans and Koreans are only regarded as guests in the country.
7. In the last stanza, comment on: the implication of what is lost and desired and the line: the sea has died within us...
*
How many moons have given their rings to one who is not of us.
How many stones has the swallow aid in the distance.
How many years shall we sleep as guests on the sea, wait for a place and say:
In a little while we shall leave here.
We have died from sleep and have broken here.
It is only the temporary that will last in us, age of the sea.
**
We want to live for a time, not for nothing
...but we want the country of our morning coffee
we want the fragrance of primitive plants
we want a special school
we want a special cemetary
we want a freedom
the size of a skull... and a song.
The lines under the first asterisk are images of the sacrifices of the Palestinians in their struggle for having a country of their own. The lines under the second asterisk are images of the desires of the Palestinians. They really wanted a land they can call theirs. They do not want to be guests on the sea. They want to settle in their own country.
The line 'the sea has died within us' somehow shows that the persona slowly loses hope. This line also conveys a meaning for all the Palestinians. It is like a call to action. Although they still haven't won today, there's still hope especially if all of them would make a move.
Mahmoud Darwish probably made this poem to serve as a call to all Palestinians. It gives hope to all of them especially those who have sacrificed and lost a lot during their struggles. Indeed, in every dark cloud, there's always a silver lining in it. And there will always be hope.
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Lamb and The Tyger
Good and evil are within us. For me, the two are never separated. And so, it is our choice if we do good or evil.
In the poem "The Lamb" from "Songs of Innocence" by William Blake, I can imagine a very meek and mild lamb in my mind. It really looks innocent and inexperienced in life. It could also be a figure of Jesus which is also a child. In the poem, it shows that God is really very great for creating such a beautiful creature. It does not harm anybody and is also a big use to society.
"The Lamb" is very contrary to the poem "The Tyger" from "The Songs of Experience" also by William Blake. Questions are being asked why a fierce and fearful creature is created. It can easily eat the lamb which is very meek. The tyger here can be described as an animal which has evil deeds. We know that a tyger is a carnivore and everyday, it eats flesh of other animals in order to survive.
The lamb and the tyger are two very different creatures. They also are figures of good and evil. The lamb is good and the tyger is evil. In this world, the two animals can live together. This can also explain why I can say that good and evil are not separated. We have our own lamb and tyger within us. Again, it is our choice if we do good or evil.
In the poem "The Lamb" from "Songs of Innocence" by William Blake, I can imagine a very meek and mild lamb in my mind. It really looks innocent and inexperienced in life. It could also be a figure of Jesus which is also a child. In the poem, it shows that God is really very great for creating such a beautiful creature. It does not harm anybody and is also a big use to society.
"The Lamb" is very contrary to the poem "The Tyger" from "The Songs of Experience" also by William Blake. Questions are being asked why a fierce and fearful creature is created. It can easily eat the lamb which is very meek. The tyger here can be described as an animal which has evil deeds. We know that a tyger is a carnivore and everyday, it eats flesh of other animals in order to survive.
The lamb and the tyger are two very different creatures. They also are figures of good and evil. The lamb is good and the tyger is evil. In this world, the two animals can live together. This can also explain why I can say that good and evil are not separated. We have our own lamb and tyger within us. Again, it is our choice if we do good or evil.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
it's really difficult to CHANGE
A teenager is not an easy stage in life. Most teens conform to the society he/she lives in. Teenage life is also a preparation for adulthood which makes it a lot more difficult to handle.
As I first read the poem "Hanging Fire" of Audre Lorde, I felt the frustration and anxiety the fourteen-year old African American girl felt for herself.
***
...my skin has betrayed me.
...how come my knees are always so ashy.
***
She believed that her skin has betrayed her maybe because it wasn't the color of skin she liked. And the skin she had wasn't completely accepted by many. I also thought that her knees were ashy because of the downfalls she has taken. I believe that she really underwent a lot of struggles in her life.
***
what if I die before morning...
suppose I die before graduation...
will I live long enough to grow up...
and momma's in the bedroom with the DOOR CLOSED.
***
Here, the teen is always thinking of death and it also has its incremental effect. At first she just thought that what if is she dies. Next, she thinks of the possibility of dying. And lastly, she questions of living a long life. In the end of every stanza, she always mentions of her momma in the bedroom with the door closed. I think the teen and her mom has a conflict. Notice that the door was only closed and not locked. There may be a boundary between the two of them but this doesn't mean that one can't reach out for the other. Maybe the mother wasn't guiding her daughter and this caused the girl psychological problems.
***
There is nothing I want to do
and too much
that has to be done.
***
The girl is worried of almost everything but I think she isn't doing any significant act to counter her problems. The title, Hanging Fire, is an early form of weapon. It is when the fuse of a cannon is lit, but does not immediately go off. It's like the fire has stopped for just a second before it ignites. It is also an idiom which could mean delaying or to prolong. I personally believe that the title has a connection with these lines. The teen is somehow prolonging her sufferings because she's just waiting for change but she does nothing.
The poem basically has a lesson that all Filipinos can relate to. Why? Because we, Filipinos, are also like the teen in the poem. We are very anxious of our current government that's why we want change in our country. But we do nothing to solve it. In fact, we're adding more problems to society. I'm guilty of this reality too. And maybe this poem could also be a guide for self reflection to many. If we want change, do something. Don't just wait for miracles because miracles are still on our own hands. (:
As I first read the poem "Hanging Fire" of Audre Lorde, I felt the frustration and anxiety the fourteen-year old African American girl felt for herself.
***
...my skin has betrayed me.
...how come my knees are always so ashy.
***
She believed that her skin has betrayed her maybe because it wasn't the color of skin she liked. And the skin she had wasn't completely accepted by many. I also thought that her knees were ashy because of the downfalls she has taken. I believe that she really underwent a lot of struggles in her life.
***
what if I die before morning...
suppose I die before graduation...
will I live long enough to grow up...
and momma's in the bedroom with the DOOR CLOSED.
***
Here, the teen is always thinking of death and it also has its incremental effect. At first she just thought that what if is she dies. Next, she thinks of the possibility of dying. And lastly, she questions of living a long life. In the end of every stanza, she always mentions of her momma in the bedroom with the door closed. I think the teen and her mom has a conflict. Notice that the door was only closed and not locked. There may be a boundary between the two of them but this doesn't mean that one can't reach out for the other. Maybe the mother wasn't guiding her daughter and this caused the girl psychological problems.
***
There is nothing I want to do
and too much
that has to be done.
***
The girl is worried of almost everything but I think she isn't doing any significant act to counter her problems. The title, Hanging Fire, is an early form of weapon. It is when the fuse of a cannon is lit, but does not immediately go off. It's like the fire has stopped for just a second before it ignites. It is also an idiom which could mean delaying or to prolong. I personally believe that the title has a connection with these lines. The teen is somehow prolonging her sufferings because she's just waiting for change but she does nothing.
The poem basically has a lesson that all Filipinos can relate to. Why? Because we, Filipinos, are also like the teen in the poem. We are very anxious of our current government that's why we want change in our country. But we do nothing to solve it. In fact, we're adding more problems to society. I'm guilty of this reality too. And maybe this poem could also be a guide for self reflection to many. If we want change, do something. Don't just wait for miracles because miracles are still on our own hands. (:
The Fury of Overshoes -- Analysis
Being a kid is the best stage of life they say. Kids have no worries to think of and all a kid is concerned of is fun and play.
When I first read the poem "The Fury of Overshoes" by Anne Sexton, what came to my mind was an adult who was reminiscing her childhood. I thought she missed those things that she did before that she could never do when she became an adult. But when I read the poem again and this time more intently, I noticed that the childhood memories mentioned were not happy ones. She was mostly talking of her fury and sad memories of her past.
***
Remember when you couldn't
buckle your own
overshoe
or tie your own
shoe
or cut your own meat
and the tears
running down like mud
because you fell off your
tricycle?
Remember, big fish,
when you couldn't swim
and simply slipped under
like a stone frog?
The world wasn't
yours .
It belonged to
the big people.
***
These lines from the poem highlights how LIMITED a child can do. I can imagine an adult who yells at the child saying, "Yo'ure just a kid! You can't do better until you grow up and be mature!"
***
Oh overshoes,
don't you
remember me,
pushing you up and down
in the winter snow?
***
The snow mentioned here was like the fears of the child. The overshoes was most probably the shield against the coldness of the snow, the fears.
***
Oh thumb,
I want a drink,
it is dark,
***
It just shows how the child hungers for happiness. Just like my own experience, when I craved for my thumb, but my parents would scold me if I disobey them.
***
where are the big people,
when will I get there,
taking giant steps
all day,
each day
and thinking
nothing of it?
***
In these last few lines, the person here sought for the big people. This means that she wanted to be an adult right away thinking that she could be free and escape the fury of her childhood. But she was really wrong I think. As she rushed for adulthood, she forgot her main purpose and she realized, the solution to her problem wasn't there at all.
For me, the poem gave me a realization that adulthood and childhood are just the same. It has its equal share of fury and happiness. A person should just enjoy each day that God has given while she's young and not rush on being mature because the fury and happiness there is just the same.
When I first read the poem "The Fury of Overshoes" by Anne Sexton, what came to my mind was an adult who was reminiscing her childhood. I thought she missed those things that she did before that she could never do when she became an adult. But when I read the poem again and this time more intently, I noticed that the childhood memories mentioned were not happy ones. She was mostly talking of her fury and sad memories of her past.
***
Remember when you couldn't
buckle your own
overshoe
or tie your own
shoe
or cut your own meat
and the tears
running down like mud
because you fell off your
tricycle?
Remember, big fish,
when you couldn't swim
and simply slipped under
like a stone frog?
The world wasn't
yours .
It belonged to
the big people.
***
These lines from the poem highlights how LIMITED a child can do. I can imagine an adult who yells at the child saying, "Yo'ure just a kid! You can't do better until you grow up and be mature!"
***
Oh overshoes,
don't you
remember me,
pushing you up and down
in the winter snow?
***
The snow mentioned here was like the fears of the child. The overshoes was most probably the shield against the coldness of the snow, the fears.
***
Oh thumb,
I want a drink,
it is dark,
***
It just shows how the child hungers for happiness. Just like my own experience, when I craved for my thumb, but my parents would scold me if I disobey them.
***
where are the big people,
when will I get there,
taking giant steps
all day,
each day
and thinking
nothing of it?
***
In these last few lines, the person here sought for the big people. This means that she wanted to be an adult right away thinking that she could be free and escape the fury of her childhood. But she was really wrong I think. As she rushed for adulthood, she forgot her main purpose and she realized, the solution to her problem wasn't there at all.
For me, the poem gave me a realization that adulthood and childhood are just the same. It has its equal share of fury and happiness. A person should just enjoy each day that God has given while she's young and not rush on being mature because the fury and happiness there is just the same.
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