Analysis Of The Poem 'The Polynesian Old Man'

Old Man is in a form of a lyrical poem that was published and written by a Samoan poet named Talosaga Tolovae. The Polynesian Old Man is about an old man that decided to take his son to off island for school to look for a future and to become successful in life. However, the old man was not happy to see what kind of man that his son has become. His son perhaps does not know how to do the Samoan stuff. Additionally, perhaps the old man wanted to communicate with his son, but then again, he is afraid that he might say something wrong because his son does not speak the language. Therefore, no matter how far you go in life, never forget where you came from and you cannot change who you are. The Polynesian Old Man was hoping for a better future for his son, however, he did not like the fact that his son is either does not speak the language or the kind of man that his son has become. In stanza one stated that "[when his son went away for school] in an expensive suit and

I enjoyed reading this poem because it encourages us to always remember our culture and to embrace the culture. Ever since I moved to my husband’s family, I honestly started to lose my culture and language because my husband’s family is all from Nauru and was born in Nauru and they speak in English fluently but poorly in Samoan. This makes me forget the Samoan language because I am always with those who are not speaking the language fluently and makes me speak English all the time even If I do not like to. Furthermore, I am also not happy with the life that I am now living because I hardly witness any Samoa Faalavelave because my husband’s family is not a osi aiga or does not support the extended family because they are not that kind. However, my family is an ‘osi aiga and love to support others because that is what family does. We treat others as a family and we also do the same to others that needs