I agree with the statement. If we look and analyse the short stories in the literature component, we’ll find that there are a mix of various cultural background. Si Tenggang Homecoming is basically about Malaysian. The Lotus Eater is the French background. The students themselves can compare the background to their own culture. However, it depends on how good the teachers in explaining this element to the students. There is no point teaching them if they do not understand. So, before the teaching, we have to expose them with a little explanation on the background. It will help us and the students as well.

Yes, I do agree that short stories offered in the literature component enable us to examine and understand others, the way we relate to them and our own beliefs.

Among all the short stories that i have read, I have to say that the 'Barn Burning' by William Faulkner offers the benefits listed above the most. Yes, it teaches us to understand Sarty and his community and the fact that he is torn between filial duty and social justice forces us to reflect back on our own beliefs.

However, before I end this response, i have to say that i do not really see the significance why you choose to initiate this topic and claim that short stories gain us those benefits as i believe that all the literature components such as poem, play, and novel offer those benefits too. So?

Well what do children like to read? Stories because there are a lot of elements and knowledge in it such as suspense, comedy, sad and happy plus children can learn about culture, sports and science. Therefore in my opinion short stories is the shortest way to get students’ attention and interest with literature. I’m not saying the other literature components such as poetry and novel is not tempting or boring but these two requires more in depth reading and understanding so I’m sure the best way to make sure students doesn’t hate or avoiding reading literature is by giving them the easy and fun part first to mesmerize them. For me both as students and teacher trainee I found that short stories are essential in initiating interest, creativity and openness in literature, especially for the lower secondary students. Since in 2001 when literature is a compulsory for lower secondary students I’m already at form four I can’t say much about those in form 1. Although when I look back to my classmate, even those who don’t really like English seem interested with ‘Looking for a rain God’ because of its open the African culture and atmosphere to them from the view of a child and how cruel human can be when they are desperate. Or the ’The Sound Machine’ about a man that thought he can listen that the plant is making sound using his machine, this absurd and weird ideas definitely catch my friend’s attention and interest in learning literature. Maybe short stories are a light materials but it give heavy impact to students.

Short stories are the most crucial part in the literature subject in school. It cover all part of literature components such as plot, conflict and theme. Therefore, short stories are important as the students could understand the literary world in an easy way as it is not complicated as the novels. Further more, students could explore various culture and literary work. they could make comparison and identified certain elements of culture. students could read more short stories in an academic year compared to novels. In a nutshell, short stories are important in literature component.

Implementation of short stories in literature component is indeed a tremendous effort by the government in helping students to widen their knowledge, building their imagination skills, and giving pleasure in reading. This is because it helps them to think and give their own opinion on certain issues. However, there’re some obstacles such as selection of text (cultural element or knowledge) and students’ level of proficiency.

As for the selection of text, I believe that certain texts are not suitable for students. This includes Form 4 short story (the sound machine). I feel that it is complicated and some students might get overwhelmed as it is definitely different from their cultural knowledge. Some students find it difficult to connect themselves to the text as they’re not familiar with the content or the story line. This story consists some scientific terms and ideas which might not satisfy certain students and it may lead to disapproval to learn literature. From my personal experience, Form 1 students’ prefer to read of bunga telur and bally shoes because they can relate themselves to the topic. Since they’re growing up, they prefer stories similar to the above. I believe that if we have more interesting stories in our literature component, we can absolutely build the interest in reading and it will benefit them in the future.

On the other hand, student’s level of proficiency does play an important role in creating pleasure of reading short stories in literature. This is because there are many students who are not proficient in English, but given text which is catered for intermediate and advance level students. This will certainly lower student’s self esteem and importance of reading English text. Short stories in literature component has its own pros and cons. A teacher needs to play an active role in helping students to comprehend a text and create the passion of reading.

Yes, I agree that the short stories offered in the literature component provide us insight into cultural practises of others.For example, lets look at the short story Of Bunga Telur and Bally Shoes by Che Husna Azahari. By reading this story I got to know the importance of Bunga Telur in the Malay marriage especially in the Kelantan community.The bunga telur also has its own significance and meaning in it. When I go deeper into the short story I realised that the bunga telur symbolizes fertility.It is given to the peoples who attended the wedding ceremony and they will bless the couples to have many childrens.A good teacher will explore the story better and will find more informations related to the story.This will help the students to understand better and get to know about other cultures.This kind of effort from a teacher is very important in ensuring students appreciate and respects certain important events in others or their own culture.There is another short story which attracts me.But this short story is for the English Literature students.The short story entitled "Naukar" by Anya Sitaram.This story talks about the real India and its people.Students got to know the culture of the country which is foreign for them.And it also brings out the humane values in students.They will relate the situation in other countries and appreciate what they have here compared to others out there.But the only thing that I think should be improved is this.The literature component only focuses on some specific cultures or races.It should be broaden up to other races too.It is not worth it if you are keep on studying on certain races only.For example we don't know about the culture and believe of the people from Sabah and Sarawak.Teachers could ask the students to search for informations about other cultures when they are studying short stories.For example while studying the short story Of Bunga Telur and Bally Shoes, teacher can give task to students to search information on other races wedding and later present it in the class.

Yes.i totaly agree with this. Sometimes we learn a lot of things by reading short stories.I love to read short stories because its more interesting than poem or play.Through the short stories that i read,i more exposed to the cultural in Malaysia. For example when you read the short story Nauktar,we can get exposed wih the india cultural which some is different from the malaysian Indian.

Short story is one of important component in Literature. There are various cultural practices and aspects present in the short story. We can learn about our own culture (Malaysian0 and others (Non- Malaysians). Short story contains character, plot, theme, setting and other literature element. It highlights contribution to personal development and character building, and broaden students’ outlook through reading about other culture and worldviews. For instance, we learn about our culture in ‘Of Bunga Telur And Belly Shoes’ by Che Husna Azhari. It demonstrates typical Kelantanese way of life. ‘Bunga Telur, baju Melayu, anak Mithali and Pitis are the Malay words which we can find in the short story. Those words resemble Malay culture. In addition, it draws valuable moral lessons from issues and concerns of life as potrayed in the literary works. In How Dalat got its name, it show the customs held in Sarawak small town after the chiefs funeral and the process of selecting a new chief, the turning to charlatans, incanters, and witch doctors in desperation for rain in the African village. The Sound Machine by Roald Dahl represents a way of life in Australian desert and bush. The wife and her children facing a threat from rattle snake which only could be found in the desert. She have courage and fearless to dispel the snake. Students learn about moral value from the short story which is brave, courage and determination.

hi, just to highlight that the story that you mentioned entitled the drover's wife not the sound machine. tq