In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohiddin - Lesson 4

Hello students!
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Today, we are going to continue our lesson of "In the Midst of Hardship" by exploring the persona, setting, language and style, poetic devices and moral values of the poem.

The Persona

The poem suggests that the people are workers or farmers.

Setting

The poem is set in a poor flood-ridden village.

Language and Style

• It is a modern and free verse poem.
• It does not have rhyme and rhythm.
• There are 3 stanzas
• The language used is direct and simple.

Poetic Devices

Imagery – Gives picture of poet’s thoughts e.g ‘soaky clothes torn’ and ‘legs full of wounds’

Picture 1- Legs full of wounds

Alliteration – e.g. ‘but on their brows’
Symbols – e.g. ‘horrendous flood’ and ‘bloating carcasses’
Diction – e.g. ‘stove’ and ‘brows‘

Picture 2- Stove

Moral Values

• Hard work is to be respected

• There must be a sense of humour and balance
• Do not complain or give up
• Family matters a great deal