The poem is about an elderly veteran of the war for Malaysian independence who is now confined to a wheelchair. He reflects on his sacrifices fighting for independence and how he is now physically weakened but still concerned about issues facing the country like corruption. He appeals to the younger generation to unite and fight against corruption through their strength, courage, and voice.

1. A Fighter’s LineA Fighter’s Line

2. The Poet : Marzuki AliThe Poet : Marzuki Ali
Born in Terengganu, MalaysiaBorn in Terengganu, Malaysia
Writes poems to dedicate his love for his hometownWrites poems to dedicate his love for his hometown
Has been writing poetry since the 60’s until todayHas been writing poetry since the 60’s until today
Some of his poems have been published by DewanSome of his poems have been published by Dewan
Bahasa & Pustaka, Kuala LumpurBahasa & Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur
Writes poems about the wonders of his hometown,Writes poems about the wonders of his hometown,
worries of the world, and his ever-growing concern forworries of the world, and his ever-growing concern for
the environmentthe environment
Most of his poems inspire patriotismMost of his poems inspire patriotism
Actively involved in Malaysian and IndonesianActively involved in Malaysian and Indonesian
TheatreTheatre

3. Word HelpWord Help
wornworn DamagedDamaged
sacrificessacrifices Putting others before our needPutting others before our need
crushedcrushed Broken down in spiritBroken down in spirit
challengechallenge confrontconfront
remnantsremnants Leftovers, loose endsLeftovers, loose ends
deceitdeceit Dishonesty, corruptionDishonesty, corruption
ranksranks Lines or rows of peopleLines or rows of people
ancestorancestor forefatherforefather
erecterect BuildBuild
heirsheirs successorssuccessors

4. Summary of PoemSummary of Poem
 Four stanzas; last stanza is a coupletFour stanzas; last stanza is a couplet
Lines 1 - 7Lines 1 - 7
 The persona talks about fighting in the war for our nation’s independence.The persona talks about fighting in the war for our nation’s independence.
 He is now old and tired. He has lost his strength fighting for independence of this country.He is now old and tired. He has lost his strength fighting for independence of this country.
 He has suffered a lot in this war and only history can speak for his sacrifices.He has suffered a lot in this war and only history can speak for his sacrifices.
Lines 8-14Lines 8-14
 He is now physically trapped in a wheelchair.He is now physically trapped in a wheelchair.
 He feels helpless. He sees many things that disturb him such as corruption.He feels helpless. He sees many things that disturb him such as corruption.
 However, being crippled, he is unable to do anything.However, being crippled, he is unable to do anything.
Lines 15-21Lines 15-21
 He calls on the young people to be together and to fight against corrupt forces.He calls on the young people to be together and to fight against corrupt forces.
 If the young people are united, they can act together as one strong voice to fight and overcomeIf the young people are united, they can act together as one strong voice to fight and overcome
many problems in the country.many problems in the country.
 Now, he is old and has no more energy and strength left; the yout has what it takes to do whatNow, he is old and has no more energy and strength left; the yout has what it takes to do what
is right.is right.

5. Feels somewhat helpless that he cannot do anythingFeels somewhat helpless that he cannot do anything
though he is disturbed by thethough he is disturbed by the net of deceitnet of deceit he seeshe sees
around him. The deceit or corruption is increasingaround him. The deceit or corruption is increasing
rapidly.rapidly.
Stanza 3Stanza 3
The persona appeals to the younger generation who areThe persona appeals to the younger generation who are
sons of our ancestorsons of our ancestor, to stand up for their freedom, be, to stand up for their freedom, be
united to fight for justice.united to fight for justice.
Stanza 4Stanza 4
He ends the poem by repeating that he has no moreHe ends the poem by repeating that he has no more
strength, energy or voice to fight. It is now up to thestrength, energy or voice to fight. It is now up to the
young people of today to stand up for their rights andyoung people of today to stand up for their rights and
freedomfreedom

6. SettingSetting
 Time frame : The present timeTime frame : The present time
 Place : At homePlace : At home

7. PersonaPersona
 The persona in this poem is an old man whoThe persona in this poem is an old man who
was a soldier who fought for our nation’swas a soldier who fought for our nation’s
independenceindependence
 He is now old, tired and crippled, having toHe is now old, tired and crippled, having to
spend the rest of his days in a wheelchair.spend the rest of his days in a wheelchair.
 He feels somewhat helpless being old andHe feels somewhat helpless being old and
crippled. His body is weak and his energy iscrippled. His body is weak and his energy is
drained.drained.

8. •ThemeTheme
 PatriotismPatriotism
 The appela for freedom and justiceThe appela for freedom and justice
 MessageMessage
 Our country must be free of corruptionOur country must be free of corruption
 We must stand up together and fight our rightsWe must stand up together and fight our rights
 Age may crush your physical ability but not your spirit andAge may crush your physical ability but not your spirit and
mental strengthmental strength

9. ToneTone
 The poem has a gloomyThe poem has a gloomy
 The poem creates a depressing moodThe poem creates a depressing mood
 The poem also seeks to inspire the youth ofThe poem also seeks to inspire the youth of
todaytoday

10. Imagery/symbolismImagery/symbolism
 Represents the fight forRepresents the fight for
independenceindependence
 Represents a united populationRepresents a united population
 Represents people under anRepresents people under an
independent governmentindependent government

11. Exercise A : MatchingExercise A : Matching
1.The persona became cripple1.The persona became cripple a. free from colonial rule.a. free from colonial rule.
2. To be worn out is to2. To be worn out is to b. in body and spirit.b. in body and spirit.
3. Our nation fought for independence to be3. Our nation fought for independence to be c. corruption among the nation’s leaders.c. corruption among the nation’s leaders.
4.The persona feels crushed4.The persona feels crushed d. united and courageousd. united and courageous
5. The persona feels helpless for he5. The persona feels helpless for he e. overcome it and be successfule. overcome it and be successful
6.To face a challenge is to be able6.To face a challenge is to be able f. feel tired and weakf. feel tired and weak
7.The ‘net of deceit’ refers to7.The ‘net of deceit’ refers to e. after fighting in the war for independecee. after fighting in the war for independece
8. To santai up for justice, people have to be8. To santai up for justice, people have to be f. is old and crippled.f. is old and crippled.

12. Exercise B : Fill in each of the blanks with one suitableExercise B : Fill in each of the blanks with one suitable
words.words.
The former soldier sit in hisThe former soldier sit in his
__________(1) and recall the war he fought in. It__________(1) and recall the war he fought in. It
was a fight for ___________(2) for his country.was a fight for ___________(2) for his country.
During the war, he became ____________(3) andDuring the war, he became ____________(3) and
crippled. Though crushed in body andcrippled. Though crushed in body and
___________(4), he feels strongly against the___________(4), he feels strongly against the
___________(5) he sees around him. This has to___________(5) he sees around him. This has to
be put an _____________(6). It can only be donebe put an _____________(6). It can only be done
if people join together as a __________(7) forceif people join together as a __________(7) force
and speak out. They have to work together to bringand speak out. They have to work together to bring
about __________(8) in their nation.about __________(8) in their nation.

13. Exercise : Open-responseExercise : Open-response
 1. Which phrase in Stanza shows that the persona is worn1. Which phrase in Stanza shows that the persona is worn
out?out?
 2. Explain what is meant by sacrifices that “ know no2. Explain what is meant by sacrifices that “ know no
name or life”?name or life”?
 3. In Stanza 2, what appeal is made by the person? Why?3. In Stanza 2, what appeal is made by the person? Why?
 4. How should the people carry out the fight for justice?4. How should the people carry out the fight for justice?
 5. Which two phrases in the poem show that the persona5. Which two phrases in the poem show that the persona
feels very helpless?feels very helpless?