https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1 Major Assessment #1: Formalist Analysis of a Text (Individual Output) | Important Questions During Lockdown by Tiny Diapana en-us 2022-01-30 07:28:52 UTC 2022-08-03 03:56:55 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4da.png henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2019705055 The persona could be two things, either it's the first person speaking to Gina and they're presumably partners/spouses, or it's a thought to oneself as the first person is Gina. Regardless, as the poem speaks in the first person, it outlines the persona's status in the lockdown, being in a less fortunate family and managing the ropes. It appears in the first few lines that the persona is worried, with talking about how they aren't sure how the children could be sustained with the daily needs especially food, while the second half of the poem appears to present a more frightened persona as they start to outline the worries on security with a disease around yet with guards on standby and asking if they have too many questions.]]> 2022-01-30 07:53:48 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2019705055 henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2019707240 As of the time I am writing this, it is the second anniversary of the first detected case of COVID-19 in the Philippines which is the root of the pandemic's presence in the country and the several lockdowns and restrictions that have happened since. The poem describes a poor family in a lockdown, where they're made to make difficult decisions on how they could be sustained from day to day amidst the several restrictions in place, and the worry and fear they struggle with everyday from not being able to work to provide while there is force and control present that could be out to get them with just one wrong move. This is something reflected today, as many families have been battered by the presence of the pandemic, especially those in the margins of Filipino society, those most suffering and oppressed.]]> 2022-01-30 07:59:34 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2019707240 henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2020410710 As previously mentioned, the pandemic brought about lockdowns which tightened the community with several restrictions thus families most affected are left to struggle day to day with the loss of their livelihood while having not enough at home, and living in fear with the oppression of force present, leading them to be in a trapped situation. The poem aims to reflect this reality, with the persona's problems on hunger and what to feed their children, with the people on guard as the restrictions are kept, and the constant worry and wonder on their suffering and the wrong in being poor.]]> 2022-01-31 00:21:38 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2020410710 henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2021468550 The poem is incredibly relevant to today's context as we continue to be battered by the pandemic while many regions under surge struggle to get by with the restrictions and recovering from past losses throughout the national quarantine's duration, and the constant fear with what could happen especially with the way the situation is dealt with as the presence of a health hazard has led to the subsequent presence of police force. I don't necessarily resonate with it personally, since although we did take quite a dip with losses in the pandemic, it isn't nearly as bad as what the family experienced as the poem describes and neither have we been at some form of danger. However, having the poem speak more about what happens on the ground, bringing into perspective what we see in the media and headlines, it has helped me sympathize and understand more, and be motivated to find ways that we as citizens could contribute to fixing the vast flaws of today's system, because what is happening now is truly alarming and can happen no longer. This is a situation that requires our attention and focus, because for as long as we need quarantine protocols, so many family's health and safety have been risked. They aren't exposed to the virus at home, but they're more so exposed to the turmoil and problems of our society and system.]]> 2022-01-31 15:09:09 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2021468550 henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2021617976 The dramatic situation of the text is parents navigating the home state amidst a lockdown as they struggle to feed their children. We see the narration of a parents thoughts on how could the be sustained in the coming days with the lack of food they have and their growing hunger besides the fact that the times don't work the best for them with people guarding, while wondering why they're now in such a situation.

This is followed by the situation outside of the home state with the presence of police. They are made to stay indoors without much to eat, as the restrictions tighten and trap them, while there is no option for them to work and provide. Anytime, they could be caught with just one wrong step, the force is out to get them. There is not much that they feel they could do except attempt to get by day to day and swallow their fear. ]]> 2022-01-31 16:07:14 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2021617976 henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2021629583 The poem provides a glimpse into a poor family's situation in a pandemic, their worries, sentiments, fears, and struggles. It tries to convey to the reader the reality and the urgency of the situation, bringing to context what is reported of day to day with the current situation, from problems with hunger and not having enough, to the horrifying control and oppression present. By using such a point of view, we are able to be more immersed by being put in their shoes hearing their thoughts and how terrifying the situation could be, and know how much attention needs to be directed here to create proper change for them.]]> 2022-01-31 16:11:36 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2021629583 henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2022516608 The lockdown in the poem is caused by the presence of a disease, presumably COVID-19, which is a major health problem which does encourage people to stay at home. However, as much as the phrase "there's disease" could be literal, it could also be metaphorical. The disease could mean much more than the health hazard, rather, it pertains to the presence of control, of oppression, of suffering, with the visual imagery of police presence. With the immediate follow up in the poem in the line "there's disease, there's police", it further hints to their presence, their force and exploitation, as the second disease in the lockdown. Although the lockdown is important, families like that of Gina are left to suffer without much assistance living in fear of the guards and restrictions, showing another disease in our society. ]]> 2022-02-01 01:42:07 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2022516608 henriv2 https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2022569773 When a disease is present, you expect medical professionals to be at the scene taking care of the situation, however, the metaphor previously talked about with the line "there's disease: there's police" also speaks with irony. It's quite ironic that rather than having doctors and nurses treating and navigating, we have a police force to guard and control in the situation. This visual imagery is odd, and creates an atmosphere that it's more of a security issue rather than a health situation, thus adding to the feelings of fear and wondering about the current scenario the persona is placed in. ]]> 2022-02-01 03:06:31 UTC https://padlet.com/henriv2/21stCenLitMA1/wish/2022569773