3. Date / Place of birth : 13 June 1949, Alor Setar Kedah.
Permanent address : No.2, Jalan Pinggir, 8/1L, Seksyen 8,
40000 Shah Alam since 1974.
Academic Qualifications : B.A.Hons (Universiti Sains
Malaysia), M.A. (Universiti Putra Malaysia). Doktor Falsafah,
Akademi Pengajian Melayu, Universiti Malaya.
Awards :
◦ Anugerah Penulisan Asia Tenggara (S.E.A. Write Award) 2004
◦ Book Category Award
I - Pujangga Tidak Bernama, Hadiah Sastera Perdana(1994/1995)
ii - Memoir Zurinah Hassan Menjejak Puisi, Hadiah Buku
Perpustakaan Negara 2002/2004)
iii - Memoir Zurinah Hassan Menjejak Puisi , Hadiah Sastera
Perdana 2002/2003.
4. This poem is about a persona who reminisces the
time he/she spends when in a village. There are
many things that are now luxury to her such as
listening to the melody of the flute itself, gazing
at the evening rays, collecting dew drops, or
enjoying the fragrance of flowers. The village is
now unpopulated as many have moved to the
city. Now that she has moved on with her life,
she wonders whether the flutist is still playing
the flute. This is because, there are many
challenges in the world today such as the world
is dying, the unemployment issue and the people
are disunited because of different political views.
5. Stanza 1:
In life, we sometimes have to change our way
of life due to work or family circumstances.
From a lifestyle filled with values and
traditions like in the village, we may find
ourselves embracing a totally different
lifestyle in towns. However, we may
sometimes long for our previous life with its
unforgettable moments.
6. Stanza 2:
We may wonder if the values and traditions
we believed in and practised are still observed
in our former villagers. Many people have
migrated to towns or adopted an urban way
of life where such traditions may not be so
well-ingrained. In these places, life is fast
paced and they do not have the time to enjoy
the simple pleasures of life they used to.
7. Stanza 3:
These people may think back to their days in
the rural areas with guilt. Traditions and the
old values may seem trivial compared to their
present circumstances. There are economic,
political and social problems to be faced.
Some of these problems have become
personal as they affect people who are close
to them.
8.
9. Values and traditions have an important role
in our life. They teach us to live correctly and
to hold on to our principles in life. We learn
to value life, family and friends. A society
without values and traditions is colourless
and loses its direction.
10. Nothing stays the same forever and that
includes life. Life changes over time. These
changes affect every aspect of our lives and
may have positive and negative
consequences.
11. Everyone has family commitments, whether it
is to our immediate family members or
extended family members. Be aware of these
commitments as they bind a family together.
12. There are important and unimportant things
in life. Learn to differentiate them and make
plans accordingly.
13. Nature surrounds us and the beauty of
nature offers us the simple pleasures
of life. The rising sun, the moon and
stars, the rainfall and dew are some of
the pleasures that nature offers. Enjoy
them and enjoy life.
14. When we are really interested in a
hobby, we will become passionate
about it. It helps us to mature as this
passion helps us to stay focused. We
learn to be creative too. But, we
should not let this passion become an
obsession.
15. We should learn to appreciate the values and traditions of society
and family. They give us balance in life and help us to
differentiate between the good and the bad.
We face changes in life every day. Learn to accept changes but
only if they are for the good of society. If they are beneficial,
work around them for the general good.
Our family is the most important thing in our life. We should put
their interest and safety first before anything else. Show
consideration for one's duties within the home and carry out
family commitments responsibly.
We should know our priorities in life and be aware of them at all
times. Don't get so taken in by our interests that we forget our
priorities.
Passion for interests should not be at expense of family
happiness. There is a time for work and a time for play.
16. The poem is the first point of view.
The person is addressing another person and
describing a situation to him.
19. Imagery – e.g. „blown by the wind‟, „depth of
my heart‟
Alliteration – e.g. „fragrance of flowers‟
Symbol – e.g. „flute‟, „song‟
Repetition – e.g. „Are you still playing your
flute?‟
Figurative Language – Metaphor e.g. „The
melody concealed in the slim hollow of
bamboo – Personification e.g. „sick rice field‟
20.
21. - sick rice field - the rice field is
personified as a human who is
not feeling well
- this world is ...bleeding -
earth is personified as being
wounded
22. - flute - symbolises a thing of
the past, something
tradition
- song - symbolises the simple
pleasure of life
23. - 'Are you still playing your
flute?' - repeated at the
beginning of all three stanzas
to reinforce the emotion
behind the question and to
create a dramatic effect.
24. - Are you still playing
your flute? - the persona
asks a question to which
she does not expect a
reply.
25. - 'the melody concealed in the slim
hollow of the bamboo' : The song
seems to be hidden in the bamboo
when it is actually coming out from
the playing of the flute.
- 'the world is too old and bleeding':
The world seems to have aged due to
war and the sufferings caused by it.
26. a) imagery of sight:
- 'so quiet and
deserted': This
gives a clear picture
of a lonely village
with hardly anyone
around.
- 'slaughtered
mercilessly': Many
lives were lost in
the
war.
27. - 'depth of my heart': The persona
feels deeply and wants to hear
the song played by the flautist.
- 'longing for your song': The
persona has a deep desire to
hear
songs.
28. - 'collecting dew
drops' -
someone is
putting their
hands together
to collect dew
drops to feel
the water
30. -'playing your flute' -
The music comes
from the flute
- 'blown by the wind'
- The sound of wind
and music
31. 1. What did the persona mean when she said
„deserted‟?
……………………………………………………………………
2. Why is the persona feeling guilty?
……………………………………………………………………
3. Why is the question “Are you still playing your
flute‟ repeated as the starting line of all the stanzas?
……………………………………………………………………
4.In your opinion, is this a romantic poem? Provide
reasons for your answer.
……………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………
32. 5.Who is the persona in the poem?
……………………………………………………………………
6. Write one line from the poem that depicts that
people are jobless.
……………………………………………………………………
7. Provide three phrases that depict the message of
cruel realities of a nation in uncertainty of its
future.
……………………………………………………………………
8.In your own words describe why the poet used the
word “sick” to describe the rice fields.
……………………………………………………………………
33. 1.the villagers have left/migrated
2.Feeling guilty as she is enjoying the music
when the nation is plagued with problems
3.This is to stress on the activity as something
that should not be done when the nation is
facing so much trouble
4.No, it is not a romantic poem. It is poem that
shows the irony between a leisure activity and
problems faced by the nation at the same
time.
34. 5.a very perceptive and reflective woman
6.my younger brothers unemployed and
desperate
7.a. my people disunited by politics
b. my friend slaughtered mercilessly
c. this world is too old and bleeding
8.Perhaps the yield is not rewarding/ the
harvest is destroyed due to bad weather
