Studying poetry and short stories in English literature offers numerous benefits that go beyond the mere appreciation of artistic expression which make these genres an integral part of the STPM English Literature paper 1 curriculum.
Poetry and short stories provide a rich and condensed form of communication. They use vivid imagery, symbolism, metaphors, and wordplay to convey complex ideas and emotions. Studying these genres enhances language skills, expands vocabulary, and encourages nuanced interpretations.
By studying poetry and short stories, students gain insight into diverse perspectives, historical contexts, and social issues. This fosters empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of humanity.
Students learn to interpret and evaluate literary devices, themes, and narrative techniques. This cultivates analytical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to form well-supported arguments.
Furthermore, poetry and short stories often explore deep human emotions, such as love, loss, joy, and despair. Engaging with these works helps students develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-reflection. They learn to connect with characters and appreciate the power of storytelling in illuminating the human condition.
If you are a STPM student who is taking Literature in English or considering taking this subject, read on to find out regarding STPM English Literature Paper 1 which focuses on poetry and short stories.
Required to Study Poems & Short Stories
Poetry, an ancient art form that has endured for millennia, serves as a means of conveying ideas, emotions, and vivid imagery, much like other literary genres. Poets carefully select words based on their significance and sound, arranging them in a rhythmic pattern referred to as meter. Certain poems also employ rhyme schemes, where lines conclude with words that share similar sounds.
In the present day, poetry continues to hold a significant place within the realm of art and culture. The STPM paper 1 focuses on 22 poems which are:
Poems
1. Sonnet 75 (Edmund Spenser)
2. Sonnet 73 (William Shakespeare)
3. A Poison Tree (William Blake)
4. The Solitary Reaper (William Wordsworth)
5. She Walks in Beauty (Lord Byron)
6. Love‘s Philosophy (P. B. Shelley)
7. To Autumn (John Keats)
8. My Last Duchess (Robert Browning)
9. A Bird Came Down (Emily Dickinson)
10. I Look into my Glass (Thomas Hardy)
11. At Tea (Thomas Hardy)
12. When You are Old (William Butler Yeats)
13. Mending Wall (Robert Frost)
14. After Apple-Picking (Robert Frost)
15. On Growing Old (John Masefield)
16. Piano (D. H. Lawrence)
17. Snake (D. H. Lawrence)
18. i thank you God for most this amazing (e.e. cummings)
19. The Magpies (Judith Wright)
20. Aunt Jennifer‘s Tigers (Adrienne Rich)
21. Warning (Jenny Joseph)
22. Digging (Seamus Heaney)
A short story, typically written in narrative prose, is a concise form of literature that can be read in a relatively short amount of time. It is a self-contained piece that tells a complete tale. While some may argue that short stories are the future, potentially replacing novels with their condensed narratives, novels still hold the esteemed position as the quintessential embodiment of literature as a whole. Despite sharing common literary elements, the impact of a short story and a novel are vastly different, each possessing its own unique allure. Short stories often center around a specific incident and feature a limited cast of characters. They have a shorter length and pace, resembling a snapshot of a story, in contrast to the more extensive narration found in novels.
The STPM paper 1 focuses on 12 short stories which are:
Short Stories
- Ratnamuni (K.S. Maniam)
- Pasang (Pretam Kaur)
- A Certain Cry (Cynthia Anthony)
- Birthday (M. Shanmugalingam)
- Through the Wall (Pretam Kaur)
- Pictures in My Mind (Pretam Kaur)
- The Dream of Vasantha (K.S. Maniam)
- The Touring Company (Shirley Lim)
- No Visitors Allowed (John Machado)
- A Love of the Past (Stella Kon)
- Removal in Pasir Panjang (K.S. Maniam)
- As the Buffaloes Bathed (Pretam Kaur)
Short Stories from Malaysian Short Stories, edition Lloyd Fernando. Petaling Jaya: Maya Press Sdn. Bhd., 2005.
Structure of Paper 1
Paper 1 is divided into three sections: A, B, and C. In Section A, candidates must analyse a given poem or excerpt from a short story. Their responses should solely focus on the specific poem or excerpt, demonstrating a thorough understanding and critical evaluation of it. Any discussion of irrelevant details not found in the poem or excerpt should be avoided.
In Section B, candidates must answer a mandatory essay question that requires them to closely examine two poems from the syllabus. Likewise, in Section C, candidates must respond to another compulsory essay question that necessitates close reference to two short stories from the syllabus. Therefore, candidates are required to answer a total of three questions, with each question being worth 25 marks.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the poems and short stories that are part of the STPM paper 1.
If you would like to know more about the other papers, check out How to Tackle STPM English Literature Plays? and Overview of STPM Literature in English Paper 3
Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare
This sonnet explores a significant concern in the first 126 sonnets, which is the speaker's worries about his advancing age. The poem develops this theme by utilizing a series of metaphors, each implying a distinct idea. The first four lines, compare old age to a winter day, highlighting its harshness and desolation. It depicts bare branches trembling in the cold and empty choirs devoid of birdsong. In the second quatrain, the metaphor shifts to that of twilight, emphasising not the coldness of old age, but rather the gradual fading of youthful vitality, as darkness progressively replaces light.
However, in each of these quatrains and their respective metaphors, the speaker avoids fully confronting the extent of his problem. Both the winter and twilight metaphors imply cycles and impose cyclical patterns on the objects they represent. However, old age is not cyclical but rather a final stage. Winter may follow spring, but spring will inevitably return; after twilight fades, dawn will come again. Yet, in human life, the fading of warmth and light is not cyclical, and youth will not reoccur for the speaker. In the third quatrain, the speaker must accept this reality.
The image of a fire consumed by the ashes of its youth is significant not only for its portrayal of the brilliance of the past, in which the ashes eventually extinguish the fire, but also for the fact that once the fire is put out, it can never be reignited.
Mending Wall by Robert Frost
The poem "Mending Wall" centers around the act of repairing a wall that the speaker and his neighbor undertake each spring. The speaker questions the necessity of this boundary since neither of them possesses anything valuable to protect within their respective properties, which are only adorned with trees. The poet argues that the act of mending the wall is illogical. Furthermore, the speaker observes stones from the wall falling, suggesting that even nature is against this division between their farms. However, due to his neighbour’s attachment to tradition, he attempts to rationalise its construction. He emphasises the importance of boundaries and distances in maintaining healthy relationships. Nevertheless, what truly captures the reader's attention is the underlying message conveyed, which suggests that most relationships can thrive with the presence of boundaries.
The primary ideas explored in the poem include the concepts of exploration, curiosity, and the poet's discovery of a void within the poem. Additionally, the poem depicts a conflict between two neighbors. Despite this conflict, they come together each spring to repair the wall. However, the speaker cannot comprehend the purpose of the barrier dividing their properties. Intrigued, the poet inquires about the necessity of the wall, but fails to receive a satisfactory response. Whenever the neighbour emphasises the importance of separation, he implies that maintaining boundaries fosters affectionate and warm relationships.
Click here to know more about the STPM English Literature exam format.
Ratnamuni by K.S. Maniam
Ratnamuni was first published in 1994 and explores themes of identity, and the struggle for self-discovery. Through its engaging narrative and complex characters, it offers a profound literary analysis of the Malaysian Indian community's experiences.
One of the central themes in Ratnamuni is the exploration of cultural identity and the tension between tradition and modernity. The protagonist, Ratnamuni, is a young Malaysian Indian woman caught between her traditional upbringing and the desire to break free from societal expectations.
This conflict is further highlighted by her family's conservative values and their resistance to change. Through Ratnamuni's journey, Maniam portrays the challenges faced by individuals who seek to define their identities within the context of a multicultural society.
Furthermore, Ratnamuni addresses the marginalisation and discrimination experienced by the Malaysian Indian community. It sheds light on the socio-economic struggles faced by the community and the limited opportunities available to them.
Stylistically, Maniam employs a mix of realistic and symbolic elements. The dialogue captures the nuances of everyday life, while symbolic motifs, such as the presence of the tiger and the recurring theme of dreams, add depth to the narrative. These literary devices serve to enhance the play's themes and provide a nuanced analysis of the characters' experiences.
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