Formalism - It is a critical approach that focuses on the inherent feature of the text.

These features
encompass the literary elements and devices such as plot, character, setting, point of view, and conflict,
as well as how they work together to support the theme and to form organic unity. It reduces the
importance of a texts historical, biographical, and cultural contexts as supposed to Historical-
Biographical Approach. It capitalizes on form rather than content.

In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohidin

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 sons

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 ciggarete leaves

SYNOPSIS (OVERALL)

This poem is about a family who faces hardship whereby their sons albino buffalo is
nowhere to be found. A flood occurs and they go out to find the buffalo. They reach home
early in the morning without the buffalo and yet there is no sign of despair in them.
Meanwhile, they can still crack jokes and roll the cigarettes.

SYNOPSIS (ACCORDING TO STANZA)

STANZA 1

They returned home at day break and headed for the stove. This is probably because they
were hungry. However, I have also received some feedbacks saying that they went straight
to the stove to dry themselves as they were drenched with the flood water. Their clothes
were soaking wet and tattered. Their bodies were covered with scratches and wounds. Yet,
they did not display any signs of being worried.

STANZA 2

They were out in the flood the whole day and night. They were surrounded by dead animals
and parts of trees that had been destroyed by the flood. We know that the animals were
already dead because of the phrase bloated carcasses. They searched desperately for their
sons albino buffalo but were unable to find it.

STANZA 3

They were born into poverty and difficulty, but they do not complain about their suffer.
Instead, they sit in the kitchen, cracking jokes while smoking cigarettes. This shows that
they face difficulties all the time and this time there is no different. They have inner
strength that makes them strong to face any hardship poses to them.

SETTING

The setting of the poem is in the house.

THEMES

Being resilience when facing hardship

Family love
Acceptance of way of life

MORAL VALUES

1. We should learn to accept problems in life with a positive outlook.

2. We must attempt to face and solve problem.
3. Facing hardship is part and parcel of life.
4. If we face a problem, do not feel despair.

TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHERE

Understanding and sympathetic

Acceptance of situation

POINT OF VIEW

Third person pint of view.

LANGUAGE & STYLE

Language is simple and easy to understand.

The style is simple with no rhyming scheme.

POETIC DEVICES

Imagery Gives picture of poets thoughts e.g soaky clothes torn and 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