Slide notes were taken from various books. None of which belong to me. I only summarize to make it more interactive.

1. A FIGHTER’S LINES
Marzuki Ali
[FORM 3]
1

2. from the wheelchair
of the rest of my days
I, body and energy
crushed
see and cannot do
much
these times are too
big a challenge
for the remnants of
my crippled years
the net of deceit
spread everywhere
disturbs me.
I am old and worn
and have lost all my
strength
sufferings
and the history of the
fight for
independence
have forced sacrifices
that know no name
or life
2

3. I have no more voice
It is you now who
should speak!
In the name of justice
Wake up and form
ranks sons of our
ancestor
Be brave
And erect a wall of
people
Stand up heirs of our
freedom
3

4. SYNOPSIS
• The poem is about a retired soldier who once
fought for independence of the country – is now
old and weak.
• Although confined to a wheelchair, he remains
patriotic.
• Persona feels sad about the lies spread everywhere
and upset about the injustices in the country.
• Persona calls out to the younger generation asking
to speak up – be patriotic and brave.
• He urges the younger generation to be loyal citizens
to fight for the country and protect the freedom
their forefathers have fought for.
4

5. PERSONA
• Written in first point of view.
• An old man who fought for
independence during his younger
days.
5

6. THEMES
1. Patriotism
T/E (i) – The persona fought for the enemies in order to achieve
independence for the country.
T/E (ii) – Despite a tough fight, he did not give up because he
loved his country deeply.
2. Facing life challenges courageously
T/E (i) – Persona and his peers fought bravely and made many
sacrifices for the country’s freedom.
T/E (ii) – Although old and disabled, the persona does not give
up. He urges the younger generation to unite and protect the
freedom as well as fight for the justice the nation deserves.
3. There is strength in unity
T/E – Persona asks the youth to form ‘a wall of people’ – unite as
one to protect the country’s freedom.
6

7. MORAL VALUES
1. We have to be loyal and patriotic to our country.
2. Speak up against the injustices that are found in
the country.
3. We have to unite in order for our country to be
successful.
4. In order to preserve independence, we must be
willing to make sacrifices.
7

8. TONE & MOOD
• Tone and mood are the same
throughout the entire poem.
• Stanza 1 – persona is in a reflective
mood.
• Stanza 2 – persona feels upset.
• Stanza 3 – persona is determined.
• Stanza 4 – persona motivates the
younger generation.
8

9. LANGUAGE & STYLE
• Language : direct and simple
• Tone : depressing (in the beginning),
encouraging and hopeful (later in the
poem)
• Four stanzas – each stanza has varying
length.
9

10. LEISURE
William Henry Davies
[FORM 3]
10

11. What is life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like stars at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
11

12. SYNOPSIS
The poet seems to think that if we keep
going through our lives “full of care”, it
will be a poor life which lacks enjoyment
and fun, and life will soon become poor
i.e. lacking in quality.
12

13. PERSONA
• Written in first person point of view.
• Persona is a very perceptive and
reflective person.
• Persona highlights that in a life full of
responsibilities, we seem to have
forgotten to take a break to simply
stand and stare.
13

14. THEMES & MORAL VALUES
THEMES
1. Time does not include
time for leisure is a
meaningless life.
2. We need to take time
to enjoy nature and
the simple pleasures
of life.
MORAL VALUES
1. We need to lead a
balanced life.
2. Appreciate nature.
14

15. TONE & MOOD
• The poet uses a rather reflective tone
and mood.
• The poet seems to be in a pensive
mood.
15

16. LANGUAGE & STYLE
• Simple language and style.
• Consists of seven stanzas – each
stanza is made of a rhyming couplet
(two lines)
• The rhyme scheme used is “aa”, “bb”,
“cc”, “dd”, “ee”, “ff”, “gg” – last word
of first line and second line rhymes.
16

17. LANGUAGE & STYLE
(LITERARY DEVICES)
• Repetition
(i) We have no time to stand and stare (found in
Stanza 1 and 7)
(ii) ‘no time’ (found in every couplet)
• Alliteration – repetition of certain consonant sounds
of words
E.g. “stand and stare”
• Personification – Giving an abstract ideas human-
like qualities.
e.g. “Beauty” – see her mouth, smile in her eyes,
watch her feet and see them dance.
17

18. HOW I MET MYSELF
David A. Hill
[FORM 3]
18

19. SYNOPSIS
A story about a man, John Taylor who had a
strange encounter with another man who looks
exactly like him. This bizarre meeting gives John
persistent nightmares and leads him to
investigate the puzzling incident. At first, his wife,
Andrea agrees to help him but later she grows
tired of his stories and refuses to be involved. So
John sets out on a search to solve the mystery
all by himself. John continues to have terrible
dreams but becomes determined as he begins
to understand and learn more about Janos
Szabo, his doppelganger. He finally figures out
the intention of his doppelganger in the end.
19

20. PLOT
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
20

21. TIME & SOCIAL SETTING
• 20th Century
• Small working class community in an
old city.
21

22. PHYSICAL SETTING
• Budapest’s Thirteenth District
• Gergely utca
• Holla utca
• Budapest City Library
• Public Records Office
• Margaret Island
• River Danube
• Swindon, England
22

23. 23
MAIN
CHARACTERS
John
Taylor
Andrea
Taylor
Janos
Szabo

24. 24
MINOR
CHARACTERSZsolt
Mrs Fischer
Paul Harris
Kati
Petra

25. THEMES
25
Believe in
oneself
The
unknown is
not
necessarily
bad
Family
bond
When
there’s a
will, there’s
a way

26. 26
MORAL
VALUES
Courage
Perseverance
and
resourcefulness
Love our family

27. 27
POINT OF VIEW TONE & MOOD
LANGUAGE & STYLE LITERARY DEVICE