https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x A display of understanding of my chosen literary text by putting forward my own reading or interpretation and supporting it with a critical analysis of the text’s relevant elements! | Chosen text: Important Questions During Lockdown by Tiny Diapana | Christian Oswald Santilices from STEM 12-Pantalia en-us 2023-03-22 11:17:35 UTC 2023-03-23 09:10:29 UTC hello@padlet.com christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2527026647 The dramatic situation in this poem is what happened to the Philippines back in around 2020 to 2021, which is the complete shutdown and lockdown of the country. The state of fear, hunger, and helplessness brought by the lockdown to the Filipinos shows as the text presents us with parents talking to one another about the hardships they can no longer endure. The presence of COVID has led them to a situation wherein their fight with poverty has enhanced their incapability to afford the basic necessities to live. Moreover, the policemen watching over the streets did not help as this prevented them from going outside to make a way to earn some money. The stress built upon their hunger and poverty was heightened due to the policemen who were waiting for anyone to do any wrong actions. Enduring was no longer the problem, but rather their survival in a context this heavy as they continued to gradually die each day. ]]> 2023-03-22 11:56:44 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2527026647 christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528341130 The persona of the poem can be interpreted in two ways, the persona is Gina's thoughts, or it is Gina's partner talking. The poem shows that these are possible due to the way it was written as it only mentions one name however used in such a way that it silently interacts with the words of the persona. It is seen in the first line that the persona is giving a command to Gina, giving a hint the persona is communicating with someone. The idea of having Gina's partner as the one speaking can be supported by the several lines in the first half in which the persona is asking question after question while using the term "we", "for the children", and "you". It was also seen in the second half that the persona was ranting to Gina about their situation, however, it is through these lines that the other perspective of the persona is strengthened. The lines showed how the persona may actually talking to herself and this has allowed us readers to interpret the poem in our own way. However, regardless of the persona, the message and dramatic situation still remains the same. The persona does not change the meaning or the dramatic situation of the poem as it still is inlined with the hardships experienced in the lockdown.]]> 2023-03-23 06:13:14 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528341130 christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528378554 The language in the poem is rather simple and easy to understand, however, the tone and emotion it provides fill out most of the impression given by the author. Some of the important images presented in the poem are:

1) The COVID Virus
- This was the main root of all the problems mentioned in the poem. 

2) Poverty
- The state of poverty of the persona and the family was enhanced due to the virus and the other factors that contributed to their helplessness.

3) Hunger
- One of the basic necessities for survival is food, and in this poem, the lack of this was seen all throughout the lines of the persona.

4) Policemen
- Instead of having medical assistors, policemen were used by the government in order to impose order and "safety" in the Philippines]]> 2023-03-23 06:54:52 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528378554 christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528399290 I think the poem is trying to tell us that there are lots of Filipinos that up to this day, are challenged by poverty and lack of opportunities, especially with the presence of COVID-19. It is in the "disease" and the "police" that they are being held back in a state wherein they do not have the capability to strive, survive, and bring up their families. I do believe that this poem may have also used the context of lockdown and the virus in order to relay a message about the unjust and broken system of the Philippines. However, if taken literally the context and message does also take upon the subject of inadequate opportunities, unjust systems, and continuous poverty in the Philippines amidst the pandemic. ]]> 2023-03-23 07:16:42 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528399290 christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528437147 The theme of questioning was seen throughout the entire poem. This provided a sense of interaction wherein the reader got the chance to reflect and fully see the context of the persona. The final line that says, "Gina, are we asking too many questions?" cultivates the entire poem as it shows the persona's thoughts of being too much of a complainant. The persona is still thinking if their expression of angriness, sadness, and helplessness are valid. It goes to show that even in the roughest time, the persona still feels like there is no right to complain about the depressing happenings in their lives. The last few lines show that the persona ends up thinking that they are the problem, which is completely messed up since they are not given the opportunity to even try and have a better life due to the restrictions given to them. It shows that the system, instead of bringing "safeness" to the people, even worsens the situation. ]]> 2023-03-23 07:52:55 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528437147 christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528470603 This poem tells us that the world is unfair. Those who are in power thrive and those who are in the lower status continue to suffer. Everything given to those people in poverty is not enough, whether it may be the opportunities, rights, or even just the money to buy food. The poem signifies the state Filipinos continue to live in, which is the state of poverty and helplessness. It continues to live on even now that the virus is dying down, and the aspect of poverty in the Philippines still lives on with no further solution taken upon by the government.]]> 2023-03-23 08:23:43 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528470603 christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528480330 This poem is definitely still relevant up to this day. This problem of poverty is shown pre, during, and post-pandemic. Filipinos are still fighting for the same thing for years, and that is for their lives to be better. The poem gives us a message that can be applied even without the presence of COVID-19, that poverty, hunger, and unjust systems are still not addressed especially in the context of the Philippines. The same fear that the persona experience with the policemen can be compared to those who are silenced by the government. The hunger and poverty of the persona can be compared to those who are dying of starvation in our current world. And the thought of the persona of themselves being the problem can be compared to those who have succumbed to the unjust systems of the government. ]]> 2023-03-23 08:32:12 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528480330 christiansantilices1 https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528512294 As my family's business shut down at the start of the pandemic, I can relate to their way of thinking. Having that thought of "will we survive?" seems to be something that I have thought of already. It is through this poem that I am once again presented with the idea that several Filipinos are still experiencing this up to this day. This sort of awakening brings light to the problems and factors that people of low levels in society endure and face. The disease still lives on, but it is now not COVID but rather the disease in the systems of the country.]]> 2023-03-23 09:02:38 UTC https://padlet.com/christiansantilices1/m52qnki1a8td9o5x/wish/2528512294