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-2
Discussant

On the Three Evils by: U Nu (Prime Minister of Burma)
Author’s Background
Nu was a leading Burmese statesman, Social
Democratic politician, nationalist, and political figure of
the 20th century. He was the first Prime Minister of
Burma under the provisions of the 1947 Constitution of
the Union of Burma, from 4 January 1948 to 12 June
1956, again from 28 February 1957 to 28 October
1958, 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

Diction
Words 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

On the three evils by Li

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