A Fighter's Lines by Marzuki Ali
I am old and worn
and have lost all my strength
sufferings
and the history of the fight for independence
have forced sacrifice
that know no name
or life
From the wheelchair of the of my days
I, body and energy crushed
see and cannot do much
these times are too big a challenge
for the remnants of my crippled years
the net of deceit spread everywhere
disturbs me
In the name of justice
Wake up and form ranks son of our ancestor
Be brave
And erect a wall of people
Stand up heirs of our freedom
I have no more voice
It is you now who should speak!
Introduction
Synopsis
The persona in the poem is an old soldier. He is tired as he is old and weak. He and his
people suffered in the past in their fight for freedom of their country and they made many
sacrifices. People lost their lives and some remain nameless or unknown.
The persona, who believes that he will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life says he can
only watch the happenings around him. Physically, he is helpless and he has no energy left.
He was either seriously injured when he was a soldier or is very ill. He finds that times have
changed and being a crippled man, it is too challenging for him to fight the injustice he sees
around him. He is troubled by the many lies being told everywhere. 10
Being highly-spirited, he calls on the younger generation to wake up and fight on. They have
to realise that they have to form lines or ranks irrespective of racial, religious and social
differences to fight courageously for justice. He wants the young people who inherited the
countrys freedom to be united to fight injustice and denounce lies which may threaten.
The persona feels helpless that he is not heard. He urges the younger generation to fight or
speak up for what is right because it is now their turn to do so.
The Setting
The poem is set after independence. The persona feels that the independence he has
struggled for is now threatened by subversive elements.
Tone and mood
In the first stanza, the tone indicates that the persona is sad and weary because he is old
and weak. The persona is also melancholic, reflecting on his past sacrifices he made for the
countrys independence.
In the second stanza, the persona voices his helplessness, anger and contempt because his
country is facing threats.
The tone used in the third stanza is serious and demanding. The persona urges the present
generation to form a united front to uphold the freedom that he and many others has fought
for.
The persona ends by insisting that the younger generation continues to fight against injustice
because he can longer do so.
Themes
1. Patriotism
Patriotism is one of the themes of this poem. The people in this country have made a lot of
sacrifices to fight for their freedom. They have achieved independence but now there are
other threats such as deceit. This affects the countrys safety. The persona calls on the
younger generation to fight for justice and to speak up against deceit.
2. Being courageous
Another theme is being courageous. In the past, people made many sacrifices and fought
bravely with the countrys enemies for their freedom. Now, the persona urges the younger
generation to be brave and fight against other threats in the country. He tells them to stand
up and speak with courage.
3. Unity
In the past, people were united when they fought for independence. Now, the persona
emphasises that the younger generation who has inherited a free country should unite to
preserve their freedom. They should stand united by building a wall of people or forming
ranks irrespective of racial, religious and other social differences. The lines in the poem, A
Fighters Lines refer to the personas lines and the lines or ranks formed for unity. We have
to be united and strong as in the saying, United we stand, divided we fall.
Short Quiz
Choose the best answer and circle A, B, C or D.
1. The persona in the poem is
(A) tired. (B) hopeful. (C) confused. (D) crazy.
2. The persona has lost all his strength because
(A) of his sacrifices.
(B) of his sufferings.
(C) he was a soldier.
(D) he is old and worn.
3. The fight for independence has caused
(A) scars. (C) injuries.
(B) sacrifices. (D) accidents.
4. The word remnants in stanza 2 refers to the personas
(A) injuries.
(B) disability.
(C) remaining life.
(D) challenging years.
5. The persona is
(A) anxious and impatient.
(B) a grieving and senile man.
(C) a frustrated and dying man.
(D) weak and physically helpless.
6. The persona sees ______________ everywhere.
(A) death (C) deceit
(B) suffering (D) chaos
7. The persona calls upon _____________ to fight for justice.
(A) youths of today
(B) people of his time
(C) children of his time
(D) people of tomorrow 40
8. Erect a wall of people refers to
(A) a line of fighters
(B) young people uniting
(C) people marching together
(D) soldiers marching in a line
9. Heirs of our freedom refers to _____________
(A) the peoples ancestors.
(B) the countrys forefathers.
(C) the peoples descendents.
(D) the independence fighters.
10. In the line It is you now who should speak! The persona is
(A) encouraging old people to face challenges.
(B) urging the older generation to fight against deceit.
(C) encouraging young people to fight against enemies.
(D) urging the younger generation to speak up for what is right
