jun 8, 1956 - “Love-Match?”
‒ Hedwig Aroozoo
[Poetry]
Description:
When the prospects of Malaysia and Singapore were made known to their people, the poet responded to the news with this poem. It was inspired by Singapore’s chief minister, Lim Yew Hock’s speech of the merge between the two to the media in terms of a courtship. He said “Well, gentlemen, the love-making has started. As you know yourselves, once you start making love, there are always chances of marriage” (Patke & Holden). Singapore is personified as the woman who proposes to her counterpart, a gentleman who personifies Malaya in the poem. This poem demonstrates the enthusiasm through the woman’s excitement but also scepticism towards the union of the two states through the reluctant and uncommitted nature of the man.
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Patke, R. S., & Holden, P. (2010). The Routledge Concise History of South East Asian Writing in English. London: Routledge.
Added to timeline:
Malaysian Literature in English | 1940s - 1970s
Date:
