THE RIVER

STANZA LINE MEANING OF THE LINE MEANING OF THE STANZA

Stanza 1 The River’s a wanderer A wanderer = someone who moves from one place to another without purpose (org. yg suka merayau tanpa tujuan) A nomad = a group of people that moves from place to place and does not has permanent home (org. Yg.tiada rumah tetap) A tramp = a person who has no home, moves from place to place and begs for money (pengemis) The river is like a wanderer, a nomad and a tramp. They keep travelling and have no permanent home.

The river moves or flows without (tanpa) stopping. Why does the persona liken the river to a wanderer? Because it travels many miles and goes through ups and downs, joys and sadness. Give 2 words that describe the river in Stanza 1. Tramp / Nomad / Wanderer.

A nomad, a tramp

He doesn’t choose one place The river does not choose one place to stay permanently (utk. tinggal tetap)

To set up his camp

Stanza 2 The river’s a winder A winder = a thing that turns or rolls something (alat yg. memusingkan sesuatu) A valley = a gap between hills (lembah) Twists = bend The river is like a winder. The river also winds through valleys and hills.

The river does not move in a straight line. As it flows, it will turn left and right. It is always moving / flowing. Which phrase from Stanza 2 shows the movement of the river? He twists and he turns. The line “He just cannot be still” means that the river is continuously flowing.

Through valley and hill

He twists and he turns The river turns round and round. It cannot be still in one place (sungai tidak pernah berhenti tetap) and it is always moving (sentiasa bergerak).

He just cannot be still

STANZA LINE MEANING OF THE LINE MEANING OF THE STANZA

Stanza 3 The River’s a hoarder Hoarder = a person who like to collect and keep things. The river is like a hoarder.

Stanza 3 describes (menerangkan) what we can find in the river. The river will collect the things that it finds as it is moving. It hides these things deep down at the bottom (dasar) of the river. Why is the river compared to a hoarder? The river collects and keeps a lot of things on its bed. Why does the river bury deep down the little treasures? It wants to keep them safe as they are precious. Example of things that the river hoards / collects:

- Sand - Soil - Falling leaves - Pebbles (batu

sungai) / stones

Another word to replace (menggantikan) “hoarder” is Collector.

And he buries down deep Buries = hide Treasures = valuable things

The river collects and hides things on its bed (dasar sungai)

Those little treasures

That he wants to keep

Stanza 4 The River’s a baby Baby = infants The river is like a happy baby. When a baby gurgles, he makes a bubbling sound. When a baby hums, he makes a low, steady continuous sound like that of a bee (bunyi seperti bunyi lebah)

The river makes a soft sound (bunyi yg. lembut) when it flows as if the river is happy. The soft sounds are like (seperti) a baby’s gurgles and hums. Which stanzas reflect a playful tone? Stanza 4 and 5, -baby and singer. Which 2 stanzas show that the river is in a happy mood? Stanzas 4 and 5.

He gurgles and hums

And sounds like he’s happily The river sound happy like a baby sucking his thumbs Sucking his thumbs

STANZA LINE MEANING OF THE LINE MEANING OF THE STANZA

Stanza 4 From Stanzas 4-6, which line suggests that the river is an infant. The river’s a baby. When the river is happily gurgling and humming means the river is? Calm Which stanza do you like? Give a reason for your choice. Stanza 4. Because the river is compared to a baby and I like the happy mood.

Stanza 5 The River’s a singer The river is like a singer. It makes sounds like it is singing.

The sound of the flowing river is like a song. The movement of the flowing river is like a dance. When the river flows down through the village, the river’s sound can be heard by the villagers.

What does “The notes of his song‟ refer to? The sounds of the river. What does the line“ The countryside echoes, The note of his song” tell us about the river? The sounds made by the river can be heard near and far. In Stanza 5, what does the word “echoes” mean? The resounding of the river water.

As he dances along The river moves like it is dancing.

The countryside echoes The musical sounds echoe (bergema) in the countryside (kampung).

The notes of his song

STANZA LINE MEANING OF THE LINE MEANING OF THE STANZA

Stanza 6 The River’s a monster A monster = a large, ugly, and frightening fantasy creature. The river is like a monster.

The river is like a monster when it is dangerous. When floods (banjir) occurs, the flood can destroys animals, plants, homes and kill humans. The line “The River’s a monster” tell us that the river is dangerous. Why is the river compared to a monster? It can be destructive Why do you think that the river is compared to a monster? Give 2 reasons. The river can destroy the trees. The river also can drown people.

When is a river likely to become hungry? When there is dry weather (musim kemarau).

The last line is Stanza 6 “And he’ll swallow you next” probably refers to (merujuk kepada) the loss of lives to floods.

Hungry and vexed, Vexed = angry Gobbled = eat quickly and noisily (makan dengan cepat dan lahap). Swallow = to allow something to pass down the throat (telan benda ke dalam tekak). When it is hungry and angry, the river washes away (hanyutkan) trees and drowns (melemaskan) human beings (manusia).

He’s gobbled up trees

And he’ll swallow you next

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS:

1. Why do you think the river buries his treasures deep down? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer: He does not want to lose those treasures. (1m)

He does want anyone to find and take them away. (1m)

2. What type of baby sounds does the river make?

Answer: The river gurgles and hums.

3. Which phrase from the stanza 1 and 2 shows the movement of the river?

Answer: He twists and he turns.

4. Based on the Stanza 1, give two examples of what the river is compared to.

Answer: A wanderer and a nomad / A wanderer and a tramp.

5. Which two stanzas show that the river is in a happy mood?

Answer: Stanza 4 and Stanza 5.

6. Which stanza do you like? Give a reason for your choice.

Answer: I like Stanza 4 because the river is compared to a baby and it is in a happy mood.

QUESTION ANSWER

Who is the persona? The persona is a teenager.

Where is the setting took place? In a village where there is a river.

What is the persona tries to

compare to?

The persona compares the flow of

river a with different types of people

he/she knows.

What are the two themes from the

poem?

1. Man and Nature

2. Challenges in life

What are the two lesson / moral

values from the poem?

1. We must appreciate nature.

2. We should face problems in

life positively.

Give 2 words that describe (yang

menerangkan) the river in Stanza 1

1. Tramp

2. Nomad / Wanderer.

QUESTION ANSWER

Which phrase from Stanza 2 shows

the movement of the river?

He twists and he turns.

Give two words from the poem that

the poet uses to describe the river

as a “monster”.

1. Hungry

2. Vexed

What does the word ‘monster’ illustrate about the river?

The river can be dangerous.

In the fourth stanza, what reminds

the persona of a baby?

1. Gurgling and humming

2. Sounds like he’s happily

sucking his thumbs.

Which word in the poem tells us

that the river can also be angry?

Vexed.

Suggest one way we can keep the

river clean.

1. We must not throw rubbish in

the river.

What does the phrase “the notes of

his song” in Stanza 5 refer to?

The sounds of the river.

Why do you think the river is like a

monster?

It can drown people.

Which word in Stanza 1 show that the river constantly moves?

Wanderer

What type of baby sounds does the river make?

The river gurgles and hums