Literature Form 1 How Dalat Got Its Name

Literature Form 1 How Dalat Got Its Name By: Heidi Munan

Exposition The old chief dies and didn’t name an heir Rising Action Galau and Umat disagree on who should be chief. Conflict The villagers were divided between Galau and Umat Climax Umat left the village to join the enemies and Galau prepared for war Falling Action Umat and the enemies attacked the village. Umat was killed. Resolution Galau renames the village ‘Dalat’ to remind villagers that unity and peace are important

Place Setting A small village in Sarawak named Dalat The village chief’s house The Oya River in Sarawak

The Oya River Dalat

Time Setting The past – not specified in the text

The Chief Kind Peace-loving Fair Wise He keeps his village together He has gained his people’s respect. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of his 3 sons.

Galau Wise and shrewd Sensible Forgiving Defence strategies: - cutting halfways through the tree trunks - the design of the tall house Asks villagers to stop fighting and bury the dead and comfort the living instead. Mourned Umat’s death

Umat Brave Reckless Headstrong Hot-tempered Bossy Presumptuous Disrespectful Non-traditional Short-sighted He fights and wins in many battles He feels he is entitled to be chief since that he is a better fighter. He does not respect the customs. He cannot see that Galau is a better leader than him.

Lutong Sensible, and smart Loyal Peace-loving Suggested that both Galau and Umat could take turns being chief had no designs to be chief tried to patch things up between Umat and Galau

Loyalty vs Betrayal It is the custom that the eldest son will take over the position of the father. However, Umat doesn’t want to accept Galau as the next chief. Umat betrays his village by bringing the enemies to attack his own village in order to achieve his own ambition.

Order VS Chaos There will be order in the society if everybody plays his/her functions. Greed, envy, and jealousy will only generate chaos. This might results in bloodshed and losses in society.

Power and Leadership Umat is obsessed with power. Unfortunately, he doesn’t realize that Galau is a better leader. Umat fails to see that leadership is not only about power, but about how one leads his followers. Leadership is also about how one bring good to his people.

Peace VS War The village is peaceful under the chief’s rule. When the chief dies without naming the next chief, the situation changes. According to the customs, Galau should be the next chief, but Umat doesn’t want to accept Galau as the chief. The quarrels start to take place in the village. Umat plans to be chief by bringing the enemies to attack the village. The war happens.

THE END