On the three evils by Li

Republic of the Philippines

Philippine Normal University

The National Center for Teacher Education

Mindanao

Multicultural Education Hub

Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur

On the Three Evils

Lea Mae Languido-Gonida BEE II-2Discussant

On the Three Evils by: U Nu (Prime Minister of Burma)

Author’s Background

Nu was a leading Burmese statesman, SocialDemocratic politician, nationalist, and political figure ofthe 20th century. He was the first Prime Minister ofBurma under the provisions of the 1947 Constitution ofthe Union of Burma, from 4 January 1948 to 12 June1956, again from 28 February 1957 to 28 October1958, and finally from 4 April 1960 to 2 March 1962.

U Nu (Prime Minister of Burma)

The Speaker of the poem is the author himself.


Who is the Speaker?

The speaker is speaking to the people especially to those who are rich people who doesn’t have the

heart to help others.


To whom is the Speaker Speaking?

Serious


What is the Dominant Mood?

Humanity has been astray by:three evils; greed, hatred and ignorance;

three inevitables; old age, disease and death; and

five sense of objects; pretty sight, delightful sound, fragrant smell, savory taste and nice touch.


Plot

Property is transitory, no one can carry away his property after death


Plot

Insatiable greed for wealth results in the profit motive.


Plot

Human society was split into two classes: Haves and Have-nots


Plot

Have-nots had to depend on the Haves for their living.


Plot

With class exploitation, the poor become poorer.


Plot

The Lord Buddha taught that there are four causes of death: kamma, frame of mind, weather and food.


Plot

Lack of education breed an ever-increasing band of ignoramuses and

Mr. Zeros.


Plot

Most of the evils in the world can be traced to the advent of the profit

motive.


Plot

Padaythabin tree was being compared to the natural wealth of

the country, both above and underground.


Plot


DictionWords Denotation Connotation

Tree Usually tall plant that has a thick,

wooden stem and many large

branches

wealth/fulfillment

wealth A large amount of money and

possessions

greed

profit motive The intent to achieve monetary

gain in a transaction or material

endeavor.

instrument of wealth and stimulus

for greed

Lack of education Absence of education ignorance/poor

Abstract Words Concrete Words

greed property

hatred food

ignorance handicapped

old age men

disease women

death tree

pretty sight clothes

delightful sound house

fragrant smell country

savory taste

nice touch

happiness

Simile

“The Padaythabin tree as the natural wealth of our county.”

Hyperbole

“Botanize on their mothers’ grave.”


Figures of Speech

“No one can carry away his property after death.”


Quotable Statement

•Buddhism+Samsara (cycles of birth and death)

+four classes of death (Kama, frame of mind, weather and food)

•Comparing things using legend


Cultural Implication

The title implies that our world nowadays has been devastated by the three evils- greed, hatred and

ignorance. A country will not improve if this three evils dwells in the heart and minds of each person. U Nu is trying to say that the wealth of the country should be

distributed equally to the people.


Implication of the Title