Question

Instruction: Read the Poem and answer the guide questions below.

Man of Earth

By: Amador Daguio



Pliant is the bamboo;

I am man of earth;

They say that from the bamboo

We had our first birth.

Am I of the body,

Or of the green leaf?

Do I have to whisper

My every sin and grief?

If the wind passes by,

Must I stoop and try

To measure fully

My flexibility?

I might have been the bamboo,

But I will be a man.

Bend me then, O Lord,

Bend me if you can.







Guide Questions:

Understand

Whom could the speaker be referring to as they in Line 3?









What could Lines 13-14 mean?









What is the speaker asking for in the last two lines?











Apply

Would it make a difference if the first line says Pliant as the bamboo and not Pliant is the bamboo? Explain your answer.











Analyze

What is the tone of the poem?









What could be the purpose of the speaker in asking the series of questions in Lines 5-12?









What does the word wind in Line 9 symbolize?











Evaluate

What is the message of the poem and how valuable is that message to present-day Filipinos?

Answer 1

The speaker refers to the ancestors in Line 3, expresses determination in Lines 13-14, and asks for a challenge from God. The message is about personal growth and resilience, valuable to present-day Filipinos.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speaker is referring to the ancestors or the origin of humanity as 'they' in Line 3. The bamboo is believed to be the source of mankind's existence according to the speaker.

Lines 13-14 convey the speaker's determination to rise above their origins and become a fully realized human being. The speaker declares that they may have started as humble bamboo, but they aspire to be more and transcend their initial state.

In the last two lines, the speaker is asking for a challenge from God. They are expressing their desire to be tested and molded into a stronger person, defying any limitations.

If the first line says 'Pliant as the bamboo' instead of 'Pliant is the bamboo', it would change the meaning slightly. 'Pliant as the bamboo' implies being flexible like bamboo, while 'Pliant is the bamboo' emphasizes that the speaker is the embodiment of the pliant bamboo.

The tone of the poem can be considered introspective and reflective. The speaker contemplates their identity and place in the world.

The purpose of the speaker in asking the series of questions in Lines 5-12 is to question their existence, their connection to nature, and the need for confession of sins and sorrows.

The word 'wind' in Line 9 symbolizes the passing of time or the challenges and obstacles the speaker encounters. It represents the unpredictable nature of life.

The message of the poem is that while the speaker acknowledges their humble origins, they are determined to surpass them and become a fully realized human being. The poem's message is valuable to present-day Filipinos as it emphasizes the importance of personal growth, resilience, and self-determination.

Answer 2

1- Whom could the speaker be referring to as they in Line 3?

The speaker is referring to a general idea or belief that is held by society, they could be referring to people in general or an unspecified group of people.

2- What could Lines 13-14 mean?

Lines 13-14 could mean that the speaker is choosing to be a human being, despite his origins from the bamboo plant, and that he is willing to be shaped and molded by a higher power (God).

3- What is the speaker asking for in the last two lines?

The speaker is asking for God to shape and mold him as a human being and to test his flexibility, just as the bamboo is flexible.

4- Would it make a difference if the first line says Pliant as the bamboo and not Pliant is the bamboo? Explain your answer.

It would not make a significant difference in the overall meaning of the poem. "Pliant as the bamboo" would imply that the speaker is comparing himself to the bamboo in terms of flexibility, while "Pliant is the bamboo" states that the bamboo is flexible. Both convey the idea that the bamboo is flexible, but the wording could change the rhythm and flow of the poem.

5- What is the tone of the poem?

The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective as the speaker reflects on his own identity and relationship with God.

6- What could be the purpose of the speaker in asking the series of questions in Lines 5-12?

The speaker is asking a series of questions to explore his own identity and whether he is more closely connected to his origins from the bamboo or his humanity. He is also questioning whether he must follow the same path as the bamboo and whether he should be measured by the same standards.

7- What does the word wind in Line 9 symbolize?

The wind in Line 9 could symbolize the forces of nature and the passage of time that shape and mold the bamboo. It could also represent the forces that shape and mold the speaker's own life and identity.

8- What is the message of the poem and how valuable is that message to present-day Filipinos?

The poem speaks about the struggle of identity, the connection of human being with nature, and the role of God in shaping and molding us. The poem also speaks about the human nature of self-discovery, self-acceptance and the acceptance of the role of God in our lives. The message of the poem is valuable to present-day Filipinos as it speaks about the universal themes of identity, connection, and self-discovery, which are relevant to people of all cultures and backgrounds.