10
-NiE ,
13 SEPTEMBER 2017
ADVANCED
In the heat of the moment
Poem
THE voice of the persona in the poem is probably that of a younger sibling. She wonders what has happened to her older sister, who seems to have disappeared. Her sister’s bed is empty, except for an old ragdoll and a shoe. Even her money-box is gone. The persona’s simple questions show her bewilderment of the situation. We can deduce that Lulu and her mother may have had a quarrel. The persona hears voices and some kind of disagreement the night before. There is also the roar of an engine, which signifies her sister leaving the house. Although her mother tries not to reveal her feelings, it is obvious she is deeply troubled.
ed to Lulu?
pen What Has Hap
other? ened to Lulu, m What has happ ? ened to Lu What has happ old rag-doll her bed but an in g in th no s e’ Ther a shoe. And by its side her, dow wide, mot Why is her win , ing free The curtain flapp e dusty shelf th on le And only a circ ox used to be? -b ey on Where her m other, rn your head, m Why do you tu ll? fa ps e tear-dro And why do th te on the fire no at th u crumple yo do hy w d An thing at all? And say it is no late last night, I woke to voices ne roar. I heard an engi ard e the things I he m ll te u yo do hy W ore? and nothing m Were a dream y cry, mother, I heard somebod in, In anger or in pa why, mother, u yo k But now I as a gust of rain. You say it was
ough der about as th Why do you wan what to do? You don’t know other? ened to Lulu, m What has happ ened to Lu? What has happ
NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking
y Charles Causle
● Identify ● Reason
Problem solving
Creative thinking
● Organise
● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent
● Question ● Recreate
● Present
Communicating ● Oral ● Non-verbal
● Written ● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen
● Attain goal
● Contribute respectfully
Part A The poem does not provide the reasons behind Lulu’s disappearance. However, we get the picture that there must have been some kind of quarrel between Lulu and her mother (or parents). The roar of the engine suggests that Lulu left by car. Stories of children leaving home after a quarrel with their parents are not unusual. Sometimes, the stories end happily when the children return home on their own. Some endings are sad when they never return. In groups of four, discuss the following questions: ● What do you think is the most possible reason for Lulu to have left home? ● Do you think Lulu would be reunited with her
mother (or parents) one day? The following are different descriptions about what may have taken place. a) Lulu’s parents did not approve of her boyfriend. They felt she was too young to be involved in a relationship. Moreover, they had serious misgivings about his character. Lulu was adamant to go ahead with the relationship. When they forbade her to see him, she decided to leave home. b) Lulu’s mother disapproved of the group of friends she was hanging out with. They were always partying, playing truant and staying out
late. When her parents confronted Lulu about it, she became upset and decided to move out. c) Lulu never meant to run away from home but was abducted by a cult. They left a note for her mother, leading her to believe that Lulu had left home on her own accord. d) Lulu believed that her mother loved her younger sister more than her. She ran away to find out how much her mother would miss her. Choose one of the explanations or make one up. Then, come up with a skit showing the sequence of events – from beginning to end. Practise role-playing in your group before carrying out the skit in class.
Part B Imagine that your story from Part A is going to be made into a movie. In groups of four, choose four people from The Star to play the main roles. On a sheet of A3 paper, design a poster for the movie showing: a) The main actors with descriptions of their roles b) A tagline for the movie using words from The Star When you are done, take turns presenting your poster in class.
NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Creative thinking ● Imagine
● Connect
Problem solving ● Recreate
● Present
Communicating ● Oral ● Written
● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully
● Attain goal
How do you think the persona or younger sibling in the poem feels? In not less than 150 words, write a letter appealing for your older sister, Lulu, to return home. Your letter must contain at least three phrases from The Star. When you are done, exchange letters with a friend. Now, assume the role of Lulu and reply your friend’s letter. Again, use at least three phrases from The Star in your reply. Finally, return the letter. Your teacher will choose a few pairs to read out their letters in class.