ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE?

SYPNOSIS This poem is told from a first person point of view, where the persona, reminisces her feeling of guilt, missing the beautiful melody of the bamboo flute played by her beloved long ago. She later questions and wonders if the flute is still being played now, as the village is now under populated and the paddy field is in a deplorable state. She mentions that, nowadays, relaxing and savoring the beauty of nature is a rare luxury. In the final stanza, she questions for the third time, whether her beloved is still playing the flute. This time around, she admits that she couldnt help but on the contrary, she feels guilty to be thinking of their love at their difficult times. The hardships portrayed here are unemployed young men, people disunited by politics and a dying world.

1)

In stanza 1 line 7, to whom does the word his refer to ?

It refers to the artist/ flutist/flautist. 2) In stanza 2 line 3, what does the phrase the sick rice field mean?

Rice fields that are barren and no longer fertile. 3) Which lines in stanza 2 shows that the poet feels she has very little time for leisure/trivialities? While here it has become luxury/To spend time watching the rain. 4) In your own words, explain the problems that the poet mentions in these lines.

The problems mentioned in the lines are; rising unemployment, people and families separated by politics, and people being killed in numerous wars. 5) In stanza 1, why does I feel guilty?

I feel guilty because she longs to listen to her lovers flute despite the fact that she has more important things to do. 6) i) ii) From stanza 2, explain what these words refer to: here: in town luxury: being able to enjoy the simple things in life

7) Without using examples from the poem, give two problems that concern the society presently. i) ii) poverty conflict

8)

How is the rice field?

The rice field is not producing much 9) State two activities that I consider luxuries.

i) To spend time watching the rain/Gazing at the evening rays/Collecting dew drops/enjoying the fragrance of flowers. ii) To spend time watching the rain/Gazing at the evening rays/Collecting dew drops/enjoying the fragrance of flowers. 10) Why do you think the poets conscience is disturbed? Give reasons for your answer. I think the poets conscience is disturbed because instead of focusing more serious issue, she thinking of things that she consider trivial.

11) In stanza 1, i) flute. ii) bamboo. iii) Which phrase shows that the flute is a wind instrument? The flute is made of The musical instrument in the poem is a

Uncovered by the breath of artist.

12) In stanza 2, i) Why is the rice field described as sick?

It is empty and unplanted. ii) In the city. iii) The persona wishes she has time to do what? Where is the persona

Watch the rain.

13) In stanza 3,

i)

What is disturbing the conscience of the persona?

She thinks constantly of her lover. ii) What is the problem her younger brothers are facing?

They are unemployed. iii) The persona compares the world to?

An old man who is sick and suffering.

14) In stanza 1, i) Where is the setting for the first stanza of the poem?

The setting for the first stanza is the village where the personas lover lives. ii) Why does persona feel guilty to be longing for his song?

She feels guilty to be thinking of his song when there are more pressing problems in the world to worry about. iii) What would be uncovered by the breath of an artist?

The melody or music of the flute would be uncovered by the artists breath.

15) In stanza 2, i) The village is deserted. Give a reason for it.

Most of the villagers have left the village. They have most probably moved to the towns or cities in search of jobs. ii) While here it has become a luxury. Give the place setting for this line.

The place setting is most probably a city where life is fast and hectic. iii) Gazing at the evening rays refers to a certain time of the day. What do you think the persona is looking at? She is enjoying the scene of a beautiful sunset in the evening.

16) In stanza 3, i) The third repetition of Are you still playing your flute? shows the personas mood. Describe her mood and explain why she feels that way.

The persona becomes increasingly agitated and annoyed. She cannot understand how her lover can continue to play his flute and show no concern for the problems of the world. ii) The line in the hazard of you displays the personas feeling towards her lover. Explain her feelings. She thinks it is risky for her to love him too much as she would most probably be hurt by his indifference and total lack of interest in everything around him. iii) She compares the world to a sick old man in the line this world is too old and bleeding. Why does she use this comparison? She is gravely concerned about the world and the problems that it faces, like the sickness that plagues an old man. Without changes made to save this bleeding world, there would be no hope for the future.