In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohiddin - Lesson 3

Hello students. How are you doing? Hope that all of you have submitted Exercise 2 to my e-mail.

Now, we will explore of the synopsis, themes and tone and mood of this poem.

Here is a video presentation of "In the Midst of Hardship" which I have found recently:





What do you think of the video? Does it help you in facilitating your understanding of the poem?

In the Midst of Hardship

At dawn they returned home

their soaky clothes torn

and approached the stove

their limbs marked by scratches

their legs full of wounds

but on their brows

there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their son’s
albino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

Synopsis

This poem describe the hardships  experienced by a group of villagers when flood hit their village. They had been looking for an albino buffalo for a whole day and night. they returned to the village the following day, with their clothes wet and torn and with scratches on their arms and legs. However, there was not a sign of despair on their faces. these villagers had been born into a life of hardship and had been living the same way since. they accepted their circumstances and found solace in the simple things in life instead.

Themes

People should work hard and bear all that comes along in life with stoic courage and despite the problems, be able to look at the bright side of life.

Tone and Mood

• Appreciation and admiration
• Acceptance