Literature Module (F4 & F5)

A Poison Tree 1

Form 5
Literature Module

(2016)

Prepared by English Language Teachers of Jempol and Jelebu

A Poison Tree 2

CONTENTS 6
25
Preface 46
Acknowledgement 94
The Writers
Poems

A Poison Tree
What Has Happened to Lulu?
Novel (Dear Mr. Kilmer)
Pictures
Conclusion

A Poison Tree 3

PREFACE

This module aimed to help teachers in teaching the new
literature component which was introduced in 2015 for the form
4 at that time. In continuation to it, in 2016, the form 5 is
introduced to another new literature component which
includes two more poems and a novel.

This module is co-produced by secondary school teachers
from PPD Jempol & Jelebu district who are dedicated and
enthusiastic in improving teaching and learning in schools.

Teachers can take this opportunity to make use of this
module for their literature classes. Hopefully, this will help to
enhance the English Language learning and teaching.

Most importantly, this module will be a good resource for
English teachers regardless they are experienced or less
experienced teachers.

A Poison Tree 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all English teachers
who has contributed in producing this module to help teachers
and students especially in teaching and learning the new
literature components.

As one says ‘two heads are better than one’, therefore,
with the help from all the teachers involved, this module has
become a reality.

A special note of thanks to Cik Norshahida Shaarim, PPD
Jempol & Jelebu officer, for her guidance and assistance in
coming up with this module.

To all English language panels who were involved in
completing this module, your cooperation and hard work are
very much appreciated.

A Poison Tree 5

Editor

Noor Fadzillah binti Amran SMK Palong Dua (F)

Writers

Aziratulsyida Mohd Razli SMK Undang Jelebu
Ernie Azlena binti A. Rahim SMK Seri Perpatih
Fifi Safia Adnan SMA Dato’Haji Tan Ahmad
Huang Son Jan SMK Palong 7
James Thong Wai Meng SMK Teriang Hilir
Kanimoli A/P Subramaniam SMK Serting Hilir Kompleks
Martina Bong SMK Undang Jelebu
Md Noralami bin Abd Malek SMK Pertang
Mohd Zaidi bin Mat Radey SMK Lui Barat
Nanthini Kumari A/P Muthukumaran SMK Seri Jempol
Nazrulhani binti Mohd Taharim SMK Dato’ Undang Musa Al-Haj
Noor Raihan Fatin binti Ruslan SMA Haji Muhammad
Norhaslina Manap SMK Bahau
Nurul Amirah Mohd Azam SMK Alam Beraja
Nurul Nadiah Mohd Nasir SMK Bandar Baru Serting
Rimamelati Shamsudin SMK Seri Perpatih
Rina A/P Gunasegaran SMK Datuk Mansor
Sharizad binti Abdul Samad SMK Teriang Hilir
Shubatra Thangarajoo SMK Batu Kikir (Model Khas)
Siti Aida bt Ahmad SMK Pasoh 2
Siti Suriah binti Mohd Jai SMK Dato’ Undang Ali Al-Jufri
Sivakumar A/L Athimulam SMK Chi Wen
Yusmawati Mohd Yunus SMA Dato Haji Mustafa
Zarina Mohd Hamid SMK Bahau 2

A Poison Tree 6

A Poison Tree
By William Blake

I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears:

And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;

In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

A Poison Tree 7

Activity 1: Meaning

Paraphrase each stanza in your own words.

I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

In your own words, explain the persona’s feelings when he sees his enemy has died.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

By : Ms Nazrulhani Binti Mohd Taharim (SMK Dato’ Undang Musa Al-Haj)

A Poison Tree 8

SUGGESTED ANSWER

Activity 1 – Meaning

Paraphrase each stanza in your own words.

I was angry with my friend; William Blake speaks of someone, his friend and his
I told my wrath, my wrath did end. foe, whom has he is angry with. When he says ‘I told
I was angry with my foe: my wrath, my wrath did end’ after he said he was
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
angry with his friend, he is saying he was able to get

over being angry with his friend and forgot about it.
Although, it is quite the opposite when he mentions’ I
told it not, and my wrath did grow’. Blake is saying

that with his enemy, he allowed himself to get angry,

and therefore, his wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears, In this stanza, Blake begins to make his anger grow
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles, and he takes pleasure in it, comparing his anger with
And with soft deceitful wiles.
something, in this case, a tree or plant. The speaker
And it grew both day and night. says he ‘sunned it with smiles’ and ‘and with soft,
Till it bore an apple bright. deceitful wiles’. This means he is creating an illusion
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine. with his enemy saying he is pretending to be friendly

to seduce and bring him closer.

‘And it grew both day and night’ and ‘til it bore an
apple bright’ are meaning that his illusion with his
enemy is growing and growing until it becomes a
strong and tempting thing. His illusion has a metaphor
and it is an apple. After, his foe believes it shines,
which means he thinks it’s true and means something,
and takes Blake illusion seriously. ‘And he knew it
was mine’ suggests that he really thinks Blake is his
friend.

And into my garden stole, Being the last stanza, Blake needed to come up with a
When the night had veiled the pole; conclusion. He has used the two lines ‘in the morning
In the morning glad I see; glad I see’ and ‘my foe outstretched beneath the tree’
My foe outstretched beneath the tree. to say that his foe finally fell to his tempting illusion
and metaphorically, consumed his poison apple and
died. So, obviously, his malicious intentions were
hidden behind illusion and he prevailed over his
enemy.

In your own words, explain the persona’s feelings when he sees his enemy has died.

Accept any relevant answer.

By : Ms Nazrulhani Binti Mohd Taharim (SMK Dato’ Undang Musa Al-Haj)

A Poison Tree 9

Activity 2: Meaning

Match the difficult words found in the poem with the meanings.

Difficult Words Meanings

Wrath distortion
Deceit of the truth for the purpose of misleading
Wiles
Veiled strong
conceal

trap
duplicity
fierce anger

trick
lacking clarity

fraud
stern
deeply resentful indignation
cheating
distinctness

In your own words, explain how a person should treat his enemy in a suitable manner.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

By : Ms Nazrulhani Binti Mohd Taharim (SMK Dato’ Undang Musa Al-Haj)

A Poison Tree 10

SUGGESTED ANSWER
Activity 2 – Meaning
Match the difficult words found in the poem with the meanings.

Difficult Words Meanings

Wrath distortion
Deceit of the truth for the purpose of misleading
Wiles
Veiled strong
conceal

trap
duplicity
fierce anger

trick
lacking clarity

fraud
stern
deeply resentful indignation
cheating
distinctness

In your own words, explain how a person should treat his enemy in a suitable manner.
Accept any relevant answer.

By : Ms Nazrulhani Binti Mohd Taharim (SMK Dato’ Undang Musa Al-Haj)

Activity 1: Matching List

Match the following expressions from the text to their poetic

EXPRESSION

1. ‘the night has veiled the pole’
2. ‘…the sunned it with smiles’
3. Tree of anger is like an apple tree fruiting
4. Anger which is a poisonous thing is growing into a

tree which is something good and positive
5. ‘and with soft deceitful wiles’
6. The tree is a symbol of life – anger is given life to

grow
7. The word ‘wrath’ is repeated in stanza 1
8. ‘My foe outstretched beneath the tree’
9. ‘Into my garden stole’
10. Stanza 2 gives an image of a tree being well taken

care of

A Poison Tree 11

c devices.

POETIC DEVICE

A metaphor
B repetition
C imagery
D alliteration
E personification
F diction
G contrast
H assonance
I symbol
J irony

By : Ms Yusmawati Binti Yunus (SMA Dato’ Haji Mustafa)

Activity 2: Complete the table

Complete the table below. Find the answers from the poem “A

Literary devices A Poison Tree b
Metaphor Evidence

Stanza 2/3

Repetition Stanza 3/
Irony

A Poison Tree 12

A Poison Tree”

by William Blake

e Description

Tears/ fears/ smiles/ deceitful wiles
-Image of the tree flourishing and finally
producing a fruit
3/4 -Image of the foe sneaking into the
persona’s garden at night and lying under
the tree

- Apple bright
/4

- My garden
Growing Tree – usually a positive thing but it
is ironic that a growing tree is compared to
growing anger, something negative

By : Ms Yusmawati Binti Yunus (SMA Dato’ Haji Mustafa)

Suggested answers:
Activity 1: Matching list

1D
2H
3I
4A
5G

Activity 2: Complete the table

Literary devices Evidence A Poison Tree by William
Metaphor Stanza 2
Imagery Stanza 2/3/4 T
Repetition Stanza 2/3/4 -Image of the tree flourishing
Symbolism Stanza 3/4 -Image of the foe sneaking in

Irony title Growing Tree – usually a po
gr

A Poison Tree 13

6E
7B
8J
9F
10 C

m Blake
Description

Tears/ fears/ smiles/ deceitful wiles
g and finally producing a fruit
nto the persona’s garden at night and lying under the tree

and
Apple bright
My garden
ositive thing but it is ironic that a growing tree is compared to
rowing anger , something negative

By : Ms Yusmawati Binti Yunus (SMA Dato’ Haji Mustafa)

A Poison Tree 14

Activity 1:

Answer the following the questions

1. What are the moral values in this poem?
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………
c. …………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Why someone should forgive his foe?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Why should we be rational and moderate?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

By : Mr Md Noralami Bin Abd Malek (SMK Pertang)

A Poison Tree 15

Activity 2:

Answer the following the questions

1. Why should we be truthful?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Why we should not suppress negative feelings?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Why the persona should be patient?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

By : Mr Md Noralami Bin Abd Malek (SMK Pertang)

A Poison Tree 16

Suggested answers:

Activity 1:

1. Moral values:
a. Truthfulness
b. Forgiveness
c. Rationality and moderation

2. In life we experience pain, disappointment and anger. It is important to
seek counsel to help us to forgive and let go. By forgiving, we are released
from the burden of anger and will have peace and happiness in our hearts.
In “A Poison Tree”, the persona was unwillingly to forgive his foe. Therefore,
the anger he felt poisoned him from within and led to destruction of his
foe.

3. In “A Poison Tree, the persona became irrational and went to the extreme
of committing a murder. It is clear that the persona refuse to make peace
with his foe by talking about his anger. He should be patient and exercised
some self-control. The persona should react with moderation. Thus,
exercising rationality and moderation will prevent us from falling into
traps made by ourselves or others.

Activity 2:

1. We need to be truthful and sincere in our relationships for us to be happy
and at peace. In “A Poison Tree”, the persona was dishonest and hypocritical
in his relationship with his foe. Thus, he feels pain and anger because not
telling the truth. It is the best way to communicate how we feel.

2. We should resolve the negative feelings at source. If we remain silent
about our anger, it will make us to feel bitter and even evil. Suppressing
anger is dangerous as it can cause destructive effect on society. One of
the best ways to suppress the negative feelings is to communicate how
we feel to someone who cares about us such as our loving parents, close
friends or counsellor.

3. In “A Poison Tree”, it is clear that the persona does not exercise patience
because he refuses to make peace with his foe by talking about his anger,
he should exercise some self-control to have inner peace and happiness.
When the persona has practiced to be patient, he would react with
moderation and not to try to murder his foe.

By : Mr Md Noralami Bin Abd Malek (SMK Pertang)

A Poison Tree 17

Activity 1:

Write the theme of the poem in the box at the top of the page. Then, write 3
examples (lines) from the poem that demonstrates the theme you selected.

Why is it important to learn the theme you chose?

By : Ms Nanthini Kumari A/P Muthukumaran (SMK Seri Jempol)

A Poison Tree 18

Activity 2: Circle Map

Complete the circle map below by writing the words used to convey the theme given.

* foe

Anger, revenge,
death

While Blake's poem illustrates some of the destructive consequences of anger, it
also suggests that it is a normal emotion that needs to be dealt with properly. Talk it
out, students.

By : Ms Nanthini Kumari A/P Muthukumaran (SMK Seri Jempol)

A Poison Tree 19

Activity 3 a: PRE-READING TASK

Look at the word cloud below. This was created using the poem “A Poison Tree” by
William Blake. Study the word cloud and answer the questions below.

What ideas in the poem are emphasised by the words of the word cloud?
(Frequency of words are increased in size and boldness)

Activity 3 b: POST-READING TASK

Go to http://wordle.net/
Create your own word cloud that represents your ideas and feelings about A Poison
Tree – what does it mean to you?

By : Ms Nanthini Kumari A/P Muthukumaran (SMK Seri Jempol)

A Poison Tree 20

ANSWERS

Suggested answers (accept any suitable answers)

Activity 1:

Theme: Suppressing anger

Lines: 1. I was angry with my friends

2. I told it not, my wrath did grow

3. My foe outstretched beneath the tree

Activity 2: Circle Map

 Foe
 Wrath
 Deceitful
 Poison
 Angry
 Outstretched

Activity 3 a and 3 b: Accept any suitable answers

By : Ms Nanthini Kumari A/P Muthukumaran (SMK Seri Jempol)

A Poison Tree 21

Activity 1: A Poison Tree Organiser

1. Complete the tree diagram based on the poem “A Poison Tree”
Persona:

Themes: Moral values:

1. _________________ 1. _________________
_________________ _________________

2. _________________ 2. _________________
_________________ _________________

3. _________________ 3. _________________
_________________ _________________

Literary devices: Setting:

1. Personification: 1. Time:
_________________ a. ______________
_________________ b. ______________

2. Symbol: 2. Place:
_________________ a. ______________
_________________

2. In your opinion, does the poison tree exist in real life? If yes, where can you
find the tree?

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

By : Ms Noor Raihan Fatin Binti Ruslan (SMA Haji Muhamad)

Suggested answers: A Poison Tree 22
Activity 1: A Poison Tree organizer
1. Persona: Moral values:
1. We must not harbor
A boy/ a girl
(It could be anyone) wrath and hatred
against anyone
Themes: 2. We should express
our feelings in a
1. Dangers of healthy way and not
harbouring wrath bottle them up
and hatred

2. Bottling up ill
feelings

3. Insincerity and deceit

Literary devices: Setting:

1. Personification: 1. Time:
The night has veiled a. (In the darkness of
the pole the) night
b. (The next) morning
2. Symbol:
The tree (symbol of 2. Place:
life) a. (At the persona’s)
garden

2. Accept any acceptable answers.
Example:

Yes, the tree grows in our heart.

By : Ms Noor Raihan Fatin Binti Ruslan (SMA Haji Muhamad)

A Poison Tree 23

Activity 2: Which line? Which clue?

1. Match the clues (pictures) with the lines taken from the poem “A Poison
Tree”

Night and morning
with my tears

And I watered it in
fears

Till it bore an
apple bright

And I sunned it with
smiles

My foe
outstretched
beneath the tree

I was angry with my
friend

2. What advice can you give based on the first stanza?
_______________________________________________________________________________

By : Ms Noor Raihan Fatin Binti Ruslan (SMA Haji Muhamad)

Suggested answers: A Poison Tree 24
Activity 2: Which line? Which clue?
Night and morning
with my tears

And I watered it in
fears

Till it bore an
apple bright

And I sunned it with
smiles

My foe
outstretched
beneath the tree

I was angry with my
friend

Accept any acceptable answers.
Example: We could forget the misunderstanding that we have with anyone
by discussing the problem and not bottling it up.

By : Ms Noor Raihan Fatin Binti Ruslan (SMA Haji Muhamad)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 25

What Has Happened To Lulu?

By Charles Causley

What has happened to Lulu, mother?
What has happened to Lu?
There's nothing in her bed but an old rag-doll
And by its side a shoe.

Why is her window wide, mother?
The curtain flapping free,
And only a circle on the dusty shelf
Where her money-box used to be?

Why do you turn your head, mother?
And why do tear drops fall?
And why do you crumple that note on the fire
And say it is nothing at all?

I woke to voices late last night,
I heard an engine roar.
Why do you tell me the things I heard?
Were a dream and nothing more?

I heard somebody cry, mother,
In anger or in pain,
But now I ask you why, mother,
You say it was a gust of rain.

Why do you wander about as though?
You don't know what to do?
What has happened to Lulu, mother?
What has happened to Lu?

What Has Happened to Lulu? 26

PRACTICE 1: DESCRIBING THE CHARACTERS
A. Write six adjectives to describe the persona’s mother. The first adjective is given.

MOTHER

B. Write five adjectives to describe Lulu, who has run away from home despite her mother’s

LULU

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 27

c. Write four adjectives to describe the persona, Lulu’s younger brother/sister.

THE
PERSONA

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 28

PRACTICE 2:
Read the poem carefully and complete the graphic organiser below.

Subject: What can be seen:
Things in the room: 4. window - _______________

1. The persona is asking about and __________________
__________ 5. shelf – a ______________

2. Bed with an _____________ that shows where
and a ________________. ______________________

“What Has Happened to
Lulu?”

Mother’s actions: What the persona heard:
Things in the room: Mother’s explanation:
6. turns her head away and 9. voices, an

____________________. _______________,
7. ____________________ a _____________ in anger
or pain
into the fire. 10. a ________________ and a
8. ____________________- ______________________.

not knowing what to do.

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 29

PRACTICE 3:
Write down 4 possible reasons why teenage girls run away from home in the provided boxes below.

1.
2.

4.

REASONS

3.

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 30

ANSWERS:
PRACTICE 1: DESCRIBING THE CHARACTERS

A. Rational, concerned, confused, loving, worried, selfless, cautious, thoughtful, disappointed,
broken-hearted (accept any 6 answers)

B. Inconsiderate, unconcerned, thoughtless, selfish, irrational, callous, impulsive (accept any 5
answers)

C. Confused, puzzled, innocent, troubled/disturbed, observant (accept any 4 answers)

PRACTICE 2: “What Has Happened to Lulu?”
1. His sister who is missing
2. Old rag-doll
3. Shoe
4. Open wide, curtains flapping free
5. Circle, her money box used to be
6. Sheds tears
7. Crumples a note and throws it
8. Wanders about
9. Engine roar, cry
10. Dream, gust of rain

PRACTICE 3: REASONS OF RUNNING AWAY
They are abused/ they love someone/ nobody loves them at home/ their friends influence them/
their parents are too strict/ they are always compared unfavourably with the other siblings (accept
any 4 answer)

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 31

Practice X
Read the following extract of What Has Happened to Lulu? And answer the questions that follow.

What has happened to Lulu, mother?
What has happened to Lu?

There’s nothing in her bed but an old rag-doll
And by its side a shoe.

Why is her window wide, mother,
The curtain flapping free,

And only a circle on the dusty shelf
Where her money-box used to be?

Why do you turn your head, mother,
And why do the tear-drops fall?

And why do you crumple that note on the fire
And say it is nothing at all?
Charles Causley

1. From stanza 1, what was found on Lulu’s bed?
___________________________________________________________________________

2. From stanza 2, which line tells us that the wind was blowing?
___________________________________________________________________________

3. From stanza 3, why do you think the mother was crying?
___________________________________________________________________________

4. State two possible reasons why Lulu left home.
Scenario 1: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scenario 2: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 32

Practice Y
Read the following extract of What Has Happened to Lulu? and answer the questions that follow.

I woke to voices late last night,
I heard an engine roar.

Why do you tell me the things I heard
Were a dream and nothing more?

I heard somebody cry, mother,
In anger or in pain,

But now I ask you why, mother,
You say it was a gust of rain.

Why do you wander about as though
You don’t know what to do?

What has happened to Lulu, mother?
What has happened to Lu?
Charles Causley

1. Why did the persona wake up late at night?
________________________________________________________________________

2. In Line 8, what does the persona mean by “a gust of rain”?
________________________________________________________________________

3. Who is wandering about in Line 9?
________________________________________________________________________

4. (a) What do you think happened to Lulu?
_____________________________________________________________________

(b) Give a reason for your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 33

Answer
Practice X

1. An old rag-doll
2. The curtain flapping free/ Line 6
3. Lulu had left home or the family/ Lulu had quarrelled with her mother/

There had been an argument in the family
4. Scenarios 1 and 2 : Lulu and her mother had a quarrel/Lulu wanted more freedom/

Lulu and her mother could not get along / always at loggerheads.
( Accept any suitable answer)
Practice Y
1. He heard voices and the sound of a car.
2. It was a sudden brief rush of rain
3. The persona’s mother
4. (a) She has run away from home/ She has gone with someone/a man
(b) She wants freedom/ She loves the man

(Accept any suitable answer)

By : Mr Huang Son Jan (SMK Palong 7)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 34

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LULU?

FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE MOST APPROPRIATE WORD GIVEN IN THE BOX BELOW.

heard fire night Lulu shoe
car cries daughter pain roar

Lulu’s younger brother wakes up and finds his sister gone. Only her old rag-doll and a ………..
are in her room. They indicate that she has left her childhood and previous life behind. From
all the clues, we know that she has run away from home with someone in the middle of the
………………….. . Her brother heard the sound of people talking and the …… of the engine late
at night. The engine here suggests that someone drove her away in his ………….. .

The persona’s mother is terribly upset and she is grieving. She …………. and throws the note
that Lulu wrote to her on the …………. . She must have desperately tried to restrain and control
Lulu for her own safety. But her young …………………. has disobeyed her. Now her mother
bravely bears the ……. alone. Her son suspects that something is amiss. He feels the pain in
his mother’s cry and connects the roar of the engine to Lulu. But when he tells her what he
saw and ……………, she dismisses them and denies that anything is wrong. When he repeatedly
asks where …………… is, she remains silent.

By : Ms Norhaslina Binti Manap (SMK Bahau)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 35

ANSWERS
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LULU?

FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE MOST APPROPRIATE WORD GIVEN IN THE BOX BELOW.

heard fire night Lulu shoe
car cries daughter pain roar

Lulu’s younger brother wakes up and finds his sister gone. Only her old rag-doll and a shoe
are in her room. They indicate that she has left her childhood and previous life behind. From
all the clues, we know that she has run away from home with someone in the middle of the
night. Her brother heard the sound of people talking and the roar of the engine late at night.
The engine here suggests that someone drove her away in his car.

The persona’s mother is terribly upset and she is grieving. She cries and throws the note that
Lulu wrote to her on the fire. She must have desperately tried to restrain and control Lulu for
her own safety. But her young daughter has disobeyed her. Now her mother bravely bears
the pain alone. Her son suspects that something is amiss. He feels the pain in his mother’s cry
and connects the roar of the engine to Lulu. But when he tells her what he saw and heard she
dismisses them and denies that anything is wrong. When he repeatedly asks where Lulu is,
she remains silent.

By : Ms Norhaslina Binti Manap (SMK Bahau)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 36

GIVE FOUR MORAL VALUES THAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THE POEM.
MORAL
VALUES

By : Ms Norhaslina Binti Manap (SMK Bahau)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 37

ANSWERS
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LULU?
GIVE FOUR MORAL VALUES THAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THE POEM.

WE MUST HAVE A CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR

FAMILY MEMBERS TO
DISCUSS OUR PROBLEMS

EASILY

WE MUST MORAL RUNNING AWAY
\\\ LOVE OUR VALUES FROM HOME DOES
NOT SOLVE OUR
FAMILY PROBLEMS
MEMBERS

IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET OVER
THE LOSS OF A FAMILY
MEMBER

By : Ms Norhaslina Binti Manap (SMK Bahau)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 38

VOCABULARY

Step 1 : Introduce the Poem

Put up the poem you have prepared to the wall. Read it aloud, then have everyone read it
aloud with you once or twice. Here's the first stanza of What Has Happened To Lulu:

What has happened to Lulu, mother?
What has happened to Lu?
There's nothing in her bed but an old rag-doll
And by its side a shoe.

Now write the first line at the very top of your pad or on the blackboard. Leave at least 1/2"
to 1" of space between each word, and keep everything on one horizontal line.

By : Ms Rimamelati Binti Samsudin (SMK Seri Perpatih)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 39

Step 2: Word Substitutions

Ask the students for words that mean the same thing as the first significant word in the
line; in this case, it's the word "happened." No need to use the word "synonym"; it's fine to
say it "means the same." As they suggest words, write them on the pad in a vertical column
beneath the word "happened." After a few suggestions (try to get five to seven), move on to
the next significant word (in this case, "fast"), and do the same thing.

Note that in this poem, "fast" is used differently from its most common meaning, so point
that out. Once again, collect about the same number of synonyms as you did for the
previous word, then move to the next significant word, avoiding words like to, if, is, the,
etc. If the class is struggling for synonyms for a particular word, move on to the next.
Here's one way the first line from the poem might look:

What has happened to Lulu, Mother?
taken place Mom
occurred Mama
come up
befallen Mummy
Ma

There’s nothing in her bed but an old rag doll

nil cot except aged cloth toy

zero Lulu’s berth for worn schmatte plaything

out

not a sack shabby tattered
thing

none hay torn

By : Ms Rimamelati Binti Samsudin (SMK Seri Perpatih)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 40

And by its side a Shoe

Why is her window wide, mother

The curtain flapping free

By : Ms Rimamelati Binti Samsudin (SMK Seri Perpatih)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 41

Step 3: Transforming the Poem

Once you've finished the line, read aloud across the top line of substituted
words. Now, read more and more variations, mixing up words from various
places on the chart, such as: "What has occurred to Lulu, Mom?" and "There’s
not a thing in Lulu’s cot except for a tattered toy" Point to each word as you
select it so the students can read aloud along with you. Remember to include
words from the original version as well.

Step 4: Pair-Share

Now have students take the next line and work on it in the same way in pairs,
either on paper or in their journals. Meanwhile, write the next line on the pad
or blackboard in columns, as you did the first. Give the students two or three
minutes to work, then start with the first word of the new line and have them
call out some of the words they came up with. Write them in the columns as
before. Now repeat the reading aloud with the class for a number of the
different variations.

You can now go on and do more lines, or come back and do two lines again
tomorrow. Because poems often have repetitive lines, you can ask the class for
new synonyms, or you can skip lines you've already done.

Step 5: Hots Question!

After you have finished it all, discuss which versions are their favourites and
why, especially if they're good enough to understand the differences between
the connotations of different words.

By : Ms Rimamelati Binti Samsudin (SMK Seri Perpatih)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 42

SETTING

1. Where does the poem take place? (Persona’s home)
___________________________________________________

2. What is the temporal structure of the poem? Does it take place in one time
(the present, the past, the future) or does it move back and forth between
times?
___________________________________________________

3. Is there a particular occasion for the poem (an incident, an event, a
realization)?
___________________________________________________

4. Are different parts of the poem located in different times?
___________________________________________________

5. Does time move smoothly? Are different states of being, or different ways of
thinking, associated with different times?
___________________________________________________

By : Ms Rimamelati Binti Samsudin (SMK Seri Perpatih)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 43

Complete the passage below with the most suitable words in the table
below.

highlights leave younger poignant example
return language upset childlike knows
gaps adolescent truth attempt mother

In this poem, the events are seen from the perspective of a child. He happens
to be the________________ (1) brother of Lulu, the elder sister, who runs away from
home. The ________________ (2) of the poem is very simple and truly
_________________ (3). The poem also has a __________________ (4) tone,
especially as a result of the repeated questions put forward by the child to his
__________________ (5). She does not tell the child the _________________ (6)
possibly because she does want the child to be _________________ (7) by the sad
news. Perhaps, the mother ___________________ (8) that is still possible that Lulu
will _________________ (9) home. The poem shows that _________________ (10)
of an innocent child to come to terms with the harsh facts of life. The poem also
_________________ (11) the struggles that mothers face in bringing up their
________________ (12) children. There is also several information
________________ (13) which have to be filled by the reader. For
________________ (14) the reader has to figure out why Lulu decided to
____________________ (15) the home. What exactly was the argument about that
night?

By : Ms Siti Suriah Binti Mohd Jai (SMK Dato’ Undang Ali Al-Jufri)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 44
Question 2
Lulu wrote a note to her mother before she ran away. What do you think
she would have written? Imagine that you are Lulu and complete the note
below.
Dear Mother,
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Your loving daughter,

__________________

By : Ms Siti Suriah Binti Mohd Jai (SMK Dato’ Undang Ali Al-Jufri)

What Has Happened to Lulu? 45

Answers:

1 younger 9 return
2 language 10 attempt
3 childlike 11 highlights
4 poignant 12 adolescent
5 mother 13 gaps
6 truth 14 example
7 upset 15 leave
8 knows

Suggested answer:

Dear Mother,

I am very sorry but I have to go away with David. I love him and I want to be with him. I know you
love me very much and you will be disappointed. But I hope you will understand me. I love you too,
mother. Please forgive me, Mother.

By : Ms Siti Suriah Binti Mohd Jai (SMK Dato’ Undang Ali Al-Jufri)

Dear Mr. Kilmer 46

Dear Mr. Kilmer

Dear Mr. Kilmer 47

Exercise 3
Unscramble the themes in Dear Mr. Kilmer

1.

opohabiXne

2.

Sfel sverus tyiunocmm

3.

rWa

4.

hdspienFir

5.

rtiyopuPla

6.

Fraisse nda ntyiluaeq

7.

hTe ancetmorpi fo neoduitac

8.

Psmtatiroi

9.

Levo ngstoma amlyif mebersm

By : Ms Rina Gunasegaran (SMK Datuk Mansor)