1
Sedition Cecil Rajendra
Background
To see where this poet is coming from it may be
helpful to understand his background. Let us
delve a little into the politics of Malaysia. The
government is highly authoritarian and, while the
country prides itself on its constitution which
protects civil liberties, there are many oppressive
laws in place including the law of sedition which
are open to abuse by those in power. Although
there has been much opposition to it by the
people, successive governments have retained it.
The problem is that the law of the country
includes protections guaranteeing certain
privileges for the indigenous Malay population.
The sedition law is vague enough to be used to
silence criticism of this arrangement. But it is also
commonly employed to quell opposition in
general.
Poet:
Born 1941, in Penang Malaysia.
Educated in Singapore and Britain.
Practicing lawyer and also involved in
free legal aid.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 2
The poet successfully demonstrates that poetry is ‘forever leaning towards
rebellion SACAI NOV 2021
By saying that it is a ‘fist in the face of authority’ the poet shows us how poetry can
challenge the status quo. By describing it as ‘inflammatory’ he points out the way that
poetry can rouse up strong reactions in people. When he claims that the
‘words/emotions’ can be an ‘insurrection in language’ he demonstrates how the
strong language in poems can make people rebel. The idea that ‘rage … against
neatness and order’ can bring about a ‘fracture into the establishment’ shows how
poetry can provoke great anger with its emotive power such that the readers will
question their established beliefs
Theme
Our poem is an expression of defiance at an unjust law and a defence of free speech. But it is
also a personal declaration of Rajendra’s purpose as an artist. He has strong feelings about
what poetry should achieve. He sees too much injustice around him to write flowery, self-
centred meanderings on the meaning of life. His socio-political poetry is biting, derisive and
blunt. It is a call to action, a crack at our consciences as well as a measure of our humanity.
The short lines, semicolons giving alternative meaning, and words
with similar connotations given (“fist”, “pugnacious”,
Short lines –
“inflammatory, “insurrection”, “fracture”, “rebellion”, “revolution”)
extended
mimic what an explanatory dictionary does. This, too, has the
enjambement.
effect of giving the truth.
Clear, direct
language.
@Juffrou_Ansie
Sedition Cecil Rajendra
Background
To see where this poet is coming from it may be
helpful to understand his background. Let us
delve a little into the politics of Malaysia. The
government is highly authoritarian and, while the
country prides itself on its constitution which
protects civil liberties, there are many oppressive
laws in place including the law of sedition which
are open to abuse by those in power. Although
there has been much opposition to it by the
people, successive governments have retained it.
The problem is that the law of the country
includes protections guaranteeing certain
privileges for the indigenous Malay population.
The sedition law is vague enough to be used to
silence criticism of this arrangement. But it is also
commonly employed to quell opposition in
general.
Poet:
Born 1941, in Penang Malaysia.
Educated in Singapore and Britain.
Practicing lawyer and also involved in
free legal aid.
@Juffrou_Ansie
, 2
The poet successfully demonstrates that poetry is ‘forever leaning towards
rebellion SACAI NOV 2021
By saying that it is a ‘fist in the face of authority’ the poet shows us how poetry can
challenge the status quo. By describing it as ‘inflammatory’ he points out the way that
poetry can rouse up strong reactions in people. When he claims that the
‘words/emotions’ can be an ‘insurrection in language’ he demonstrates how the
strong language in poems can make people rebel. The idea that ‘rage … against
neatness and order’ can bring about a ‘fracture into the establishment’ shows how
poetry can provoke great anger with its emotive power such that the readers will
question their established beliefs
Theme
Our poem is an expression of defiance at an unjust law and a defence of free speech. But it is
also a personal declaration of Rajendra’s purpose as an artist. He has strong feelings about
what poetry should achieve. He sees too much injustice around him to write flowery, self-
centred meanderings on the meaning of life. His socio-political poetry is biting, derisive and
blunt. It is a call to action, a crack at our consciences as well as a measure of our humanity.
The short lines, semicolons giving alternative meaning, and words
with similar connotations given (“fist”, “pugnacious”,
Short lines –
“inflammatory, “insurrection”, “fracture”, “rebellion”, “revolution”)
extended
mimic what an explanatory dictionary does. This, too, has the
enjambement.
effect of giving the truth.
Clear, direct
language.
@Juffrou_Ansie
