Question

un living
nazim hikmet 1994
1 living is no laughing matter:
you must live with great seriousness
like a squirrel, for example-
i mean without looking for something beyond and
above living.
5 i mean living must be your whole
occupation.
living is no laughing matter:
you must take it seriously,
so much so and to such a degree
that, for example, your hands tied behind your back,
10 your back to the wall,
or else in a laboratory
in your white coat and safety glasses,
you can die for people-
even for people whose faces youve never seen,
lines 6 - 14 question

1. write: what message do the two contrasting images send?

both messages refer to
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Explanation:

The poem "On Living" by Nazim Hikmet emphasizes the seriousness of living. The contrast between the imagery of living as an "occupation" (like a squirrel focused on survival) and the imagery of being willing to "die for people" (even strangers, as in a laboratory setting) shows that living should be both deeply engaged in the present (like a daily occupation) and also have a sense of purpose and sacrifice. The first image (squirrel - like focus on living as the whole occupation) shows living in a basic, present - centered way. The second image (sacrifice for others) shows a more noble, purposeful aspect. Together, they suggest that living is serious, should be fully engaged in, and can have a higher meaning through sacrifice.

Answer:

The two contrasting images suggest that living is a serious business. One image (living as an "occupation" like a squirrel) shows the need to be fully engaged in the present act of living. The other image (sacrificing, e.g., in a lab for unknown people) shows that living can also have a higher, altruistic purpose. So, the message is that living should be both deeply engaged in (like a daily task) and have the potential for noble, self - sacrificing meaning.