(b) What perception do you get of the relationship between the persona and his old amah in Wong Phui Nam’s poem, “For My Old Amah”?
The relationship between the persona and his old amah in “For My Old amah” is close, from what I perceive.
For example, he describes the pitiful conditions of her lodgings with its “spittoon” and “trestle.” He does this with such pity and sympathy that one cannot help but sense his genuine pity for the amah. She, too, is in a dilapidated state of health and he expects that the “branches” will snap “in the dark” indicating her impending demise.
Furthermore, he portrays a close attachment to his amah. When thinking of his past days with her, he is filled with nostalgia. “Your palm crushed the child’s tears from my face.” In his youth, she had consoled him, and for this, he holds her in gratitude.
Moreover, he fact that he understands her situation indicates that he has visited her decrepit lodgings. She is not related to him, yet his close relationship and responsibility compels him to visit her.
The “biscuit tins” and “piles of dresses” in addition are “brutal” as they remind him of her sorrowful condition, as well as feelings of sentimental nostalgia. Seeing these things as “brutal” for they remind him of her, and he feels pangs for her. After her eventual death, these objects which are associated with her will flood him with past reminiscences about her.
Hence, closeness is depicted between the persona and his amah. The fact that he has immortalized her in verse shows that her condition sufficiently affects him to the extent of expressing his feelings in a poem.
Marks: 7/8
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2 comments:
Hi all,
Please bear in your mind, this 'Amah' was a nurse who had served the poet for a certain period of time which is definitely a long time. The poet is an employer figure here. Probably, Wong was a filthy rich guy whose family could afford to employ a personal nurse to take care of him. The nurse used to spend a long time with the poet, she consoled and protected him in his childhood. Sadly, the poet was in great pain seeing his beloved Amah to leave. Just imagine our pets leaving, we would have been crying for days. The poet treated such employee as his family member. He gave him a cubicle for her going. However, the leftovers will only make the poet suffer as those 'biscuit tins and neat piles of clothes' are always a sign of Amah's existence and her love.
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