FORM 4 LITERATURE: POEM ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE?

SYNOPSIS The persona is thinking of someone she was close to and who plays the flute. She longs to hear the wonderful soothing music that had touched her heart a long time ago. She wonders if he is still playing his flute in their village that is now empty and quiet. She feels troubled that she should be thinking of him and her past while people around her are suffering and her world is changing. FIGURATIVE MEANING 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. 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. 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. THEMES Values and traditions - 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. Changes in life - 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. Family commitments - 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. Priorities in life - There are important and unimportant things in life. Learn to differentiate them and make plans accordingly. Enjoying the simple pleasure of life - 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.

MISS SHARLINI @MISHA

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FORM 4 LITERATURE: POEM ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE?

Passionate about one's interest - 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. MORAL VALUES 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. POINT OF VIEW The poem is the first point of view - the persona uses the pronoun 'I' and 'my' The persona is reflecting on her past and feeling uneasy about the present.

LANGUAGE AND STLYE Language - simple and easy to understand Play of words to add interest Style - clear, descriptive and inquiring

TONE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE Sombre - talks about her longing for something she cannot have anymore Appreciative and regretful for loss of simple pleasures of life Mood of hopelessness and loss - does not like her present situation

POETIC DEVICES Imagery e.g. blown by the wind, depth of my heart Alliteration e.g. fragrance of flowers' dew drops' Symbol e.g. flute, song Repetition e.g. Are you still playing your flute? Assonance - 'sick rice filed' Figurative Language Metaphor e.g. The melody concealed in the slime hollow of bamboo Personification e.g. sick rice field

MISS SHARLINI @MISHA

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FORM 4 LITERATURE: POEM ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE?

LITERARY DEVICES Personification: - sick rice filed - the rice field is personified as a human who is not feeling well - this world is ...bleeding - earth is personified as being wounded Symbol: - flute - symbolises a thing of the past, something tradition - song - symbolises the simple pleasure of life Repetition: - '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. Rhetorical question: - Are you still playing your flute? - the persona asks a question to which she does not expect a reply. Metaphor: - '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. Imagery: a) imagery of sight: 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. b) imagery of feelings: - '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. c) imagery of touch: - 'collecting dew drops' - someone is putting their hands together to collect dew drops to feel the water d) imagery of smell: - 'enjoying the fragrance of flowers': The flowers are emitting fragrant scent. e) imagery of sound: - 'playing your flute' - The music comes from the flute. - 'blown by the wind' - The sound of wind and music - 'so

MISS SHARLINI @MISHA

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FORM 4 LITERATURE: POEM ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE?

EXERCISE
1. Who is the persona in the poem? 2. Write one line from the poem that depicts that people are jobless. 3. Provide three phrases that depict the message of cruel realities of a nation in uncertainty of its future. 4.In your own words describe why the poet used the word sick to describe the rice fields. 5. What did the persona mean when she said deserted? 6. Why is the persona feeling guilty? 7. Why is the question Are you still playing your flute repeated as the starting line of all the stanzas? 8. In your opinion, is this a romantic poem? Provide reasons for your answer.

EXERCISE 2:

Stanza 1 Are you still playing your flute? When there is hardly time for our love I am feeling guilty To be longing for your song The melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bamboo Uncovered by the breath of an artist Composed by his fingers Blown by the wind To the depth of my heart Practice 1. What is the meaning of this line, there is hardly time for our love? (1mark) 2. What does the word artist in line 6 refers to ? (1mark) 3. Which line suggests the man playing the flute is talented? (1mark) 4.Do you think the poet still remember the past? Why? (2marks Stanza 2
MISS SHARLINI @MISHA Page 4

FORM 4 LITERATURE: POEM ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE?

Are you still playing your flute? In the village so quiet and deserted Amidst the sick rice field While here it has become a luxury To spend time watching the rain Gazing at the evening rays Collecting dew drops Or enjoying the fragrance of flowers Practice 1. What are the activities the persona enjoys doing? (2marks) 2. What does the word here refer to? (1mark) 3. Do you think life in the village has not changed? Why? (2marks) Stanza 3 Are you still playing your flute? The more it disturbs my conscience to be thinking of you in the hazard of you my younger brothers unemployed and desperate my people disunited by politics my friend slaughtered mercilessly this world is too old and bleeding Practice 1. The phrase younger brothers refers to (1mark) 2. What is one of the problems faced by the people? (1mark) 3. Which line in this stanza explains the existence of violence? (1mark) 4. Do you think that the situation would get better? Why? (2marks)

MISS SHARLINI @MISHA

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