Jungle of Hope

1. The main character of Jungle of Hope is Pak Kia. Pak Kia is an honest, steadfast and simple
man who believes strongly in the old way of life passed down by his ancestors and which he is
familiar, with. This is the Malay way of life that centers around the rice-fields that give the
people food, as well as around close community ties that bind the people together.

Pak Kia, the “most steadfast and diligent of the rice-planters”, prefers to work hard rather than
switch to planting rubber trees in order to make more money. He represents the “unchanging
tradition of the Malays.” He believes in the “Malay way”. For Pak Kin, the rice fields symbolize
culture, family and a way of life. Others are eager to give up their land because they feel the times
are changing. When floods destroy their rice-fields, they take it as a bad omen, and they give up.
They are also eager for the “large amounts of money” offered them for their land. Pak Kia, however,
remains steadfast, patient and hardy.

In the end, because he cannot stop or prevent changes from taking place, Pak Ma sells his land.
However, he does not give up his way of life. Since the village will no longer be the same once
mining activities begin, Pak Ma decides to move elsewhere. He goes into the jungle to open new
land, where he and his family will live as they have always done, It is tough work, and Pak Kia faces
many challenges and even the tragedy of his baby death, but in the end he succeeds. He builds a
new life for his family that is rooted firmly in the old way of living and in the old values and
principles.

2. The character I admire the most in Jungle of Hope is Zaidi. The main thing I learn from Zaidi is
the importance of thinking clearly and intelligently. Zaidi is not afraid of the changing times
as is his brother, Pak K Zaidi understands that change is inevitable, and that in order not to
be drowned by events, one must be far-sighted and prepare oneself for the coming changes.
As a result, Zaidi’s life is so much more secure and comfortable than Pak Kia’s.

Zaidi shows me that being objective and positive about change and learning to adapt to change will
help me move ahead in the world and give me a secure future. However, I should not change who I
am. Zaidi does not change in manners or attitude. Although he can afford expensive things, he
hangs onto his old bicycle. Zaidi is still polite and helpful to everyone, even to the greedy, scheming
Pendekar Atan who annoys him greatly. He still readily helps his brother, although he does not
approve of Pak Kia’s move to the jungle or of his decision to take his son out of school to go into the
jungle with him. Zaidi is also concerned about the welfare of the villagers who have sold their rice-
fields. Unlike Pendekar Atan, he does not stop caring for his people just because his own life is
secure with his religious duties so that he can carry them out meaningfully. He is able to see that
religion should not only prepare one for “death and beyond” but also for “life in this world”. This
teaches me the proper attitude towards religion. Zaidi also teaches me that hard work pays off. He
becomes well-off as a result of hard work.

3. The main message in Jungle of Hope is that outward circumstances should not change our
principles and beliefs. Pak Kia, the main character, and his brother, Zaidi, choose different
paths in life based on what each believes is true and just, but neither changes in his beliefs or
principles. The country is facing great challenges and pressures as it moves towards progress
and development. The government calls for changes in the people’s attitude and way of life.
Zaidi responds by accepting the changes, and decides to give up his traditional Malay way of
 life. He gives up planting rice and plants rubber instead. He moves to the new village and
becomes prosperous. However

Pak kia chooses to retain the traditional Malay lifestyle, and is willing to pay the tough price of
moving to the jungle to open new land. He does not give in to the temptation of making more
money by planting rubber and living more comfortably in the new village.

Another message is that we must be ready to accept that times change, and we must prepare
ourselves well so that when the changes come, we will not be swept under them, but we will
survive. Zaidi sees that he cannot stop change, and so he accepts the challenges of a changing
world and tries his best to survive by grabbing opportunities brought by those changes. Pak lila
resists change as long as he can, and then still refusing to give in to the changes that threaten his
cherished lifestyle, he decides he will respond positively. He sells his land, but moves into the
jungle. He takes the initiative of opening up new land. He decides he will face the challenges of such
a tough choice. The message here is also that if we believe in something with all our heart, we
should be ready to go for it with all our strength, no matter how heavy the price we have to pay.

4. The main themes in Jungle of Hope are change, choices, moral courage and the traditional
way of life as opposed to a more progressive way of life. The story is set in a time of great
social and economic change in Malaya during the 1920’s. It is the story of how these changes
affect a group of Malay rice-farmers in a small town in Pahang. It focuses on the choices and
reactions of this group of Malays, referring specifically to the choices made by the main
character, Pak Kia, and his brother, Zaidi

Pak Ma and Zaidi are men of great moral courage. In a time of pressing changes and immense
pressure, each makes a choice based on his personal beliefs and vision. Pak Kia chooses to uphold
the traditional Malay way of life while Zaidi chooses progress and development. Pak Kia is willing to
move into the thick jungle of Pahang to face the challenges of opening new land in this difficult
place. Zaidi is willing to take up the hard work of planting rubber instead of rice. Both remain faithful
to their principles and religion. Both do not change in important aspects, such as loyalty, humility
and compassion.

Although Zaidi is now well-to-do and can afford material possessions, he sticks to his old way of
dressing. He still rides his old bicycle. Money and material possessions are not going to change him.
He is wise enough to know what really matters in life, and so he continues to learn about Islam and
looks to the needs of his people. Zaidi has the moral courage and strength to fight materialism and
to retain his principles and beliefs.

-The characters have been model by the old Malay way of life. Although he knows that times are
changing and that he can live more comfortably in the new town, he chases to open up new land in
the jungle because retaining his traditional lifestyle is more important to him than living a
comfortable life. Pak Kia has not only the moral courage to survive struggles, but to lead and guide
his family in their new life together.

-The novel is also about the traditional way of life against a more modem, progressive way of life.
Pak Kia represents the traditional way of life, and Zaidi, a more progressive way of life. Neither is
right or wrong in the choice he makes. Pak Kia and Zaidi make opposite choices, hut their choices
are not bused on corrupt motives. Their choices do not lead them astray from their religion or moral
and social values. They remain trustworthy, generous and helpful individuals whose lives continue
to revolve around family and community, unlike Pendekar Atan, to whom money and riches are
everything.
 5. One important thing I learn from jungle of hope is that I must not be afraid of change, but
instead, I should prepare myself for coming change so I that will not be left behind. Zaidi, the
brother of Pak Kia, main character, bravely meets the changes of the times. Zaidi
understands that change is inevitable, and that he needs to be far-sighted, patient and calm
in facing changes. When the new village is opened, Zaidi is one of the first to move there and
plant rubber. As a result, Zaidi is prosperous and able to help others who chose to remain in
the old village.

This teaches me that I should be objective and positive about change, and be willing to adapt to suit
the times. However, I must not compromise my beliefs and principles. Zaidi does not change in
manner or attitude. Although he can afford expensive things, he keeps his old bicycle and style of
dressing. He is still polite and helpful to everyone, unlike the greedy, scheming Pendekar Atan, who
gladly embraces change and development because they offer him cunning ways to become rich.

I also learn that I must always use my mind to think carefully and intelligently. Zaidi does not blindly
practice religion, but instead, thinks deeply about his religious duties so that he can carry them out
meaningfully. He is able to see that religion should not only prepare one for “death and beyond” but
also for “life in this world”. This also teaches me the proper attitude toward religion.

Another important thing this novel teaches me is to work hard to make my dreams come true, as
Pak Kia does. I also learn that if I really want something, I must be willing to pay the price for it. Pak
Kia is willing to go against what everybody else thinks is right for him to do. Pak Kia, however, is
willing to part with friends and family in order to retain his traditional Malay lifestyle. He is willing to
work hard and face the dangers of the jungle.

6. THEME

In jungle of hope, the theme of the novel is the inevitability of change. We see Pak Kia, a paddy
farmer, who is solely dependent on traditional farming. He is contented even though he is not rich.
He feels threatened by outsiders who are buying up plots of land in their village and surrounding
areas.

However, things change when the British and the Chinese arrive, encouraging the rapid growth of
the rubber and tin industries. The villages have to decide whether to continue their traditional
lifestyle or pursue a new one. Pak Kia is against the idea f change but his brother, Zaidi, uses his
education and wisdom to adapt to the changes. Zaidi becomes successful.

Pak Kia moves out of Bentong to continue his traditional agricultural practice, opening up new jungle
land while Zaidi remains in Bentong and attempts to plant rubber and do business. In the end, both
groups are successful because they were brave in accepting challenges.

7. The character that I dislike the most in jungle of hope is Pendekar Atan. He is middleman,
arranging the sale of Malay land to Chinese towkays. In the novel, he is portrayed as a greedy
and dishonest opportunist. He tries to exploit the gullible villagers. He acts as a broker to get
the land from the villagers. He buys the land cheaply from the people although he knows they
need money to survive. He knows that the villagers will suffer in the end without their land
but he thinks only of his own profit.
He flies into rage easily when he does not get his away. He bangs his fist on the table when Zaidi
refuses to accept the explanation. He accuses Zaidi of being influenced by Cikgu Brahim and off
going against the government. However, Zaidi accuses him of driving the Malays into the jungle.

He lures Zaidi’s cousins, Tutung and Tapa, into gambling at his house. Whenever they lose, he lends
them money to spend. He encourages them to spend their winnings and play cards the whole day.
Slowly, their gambling debts increase and they are tricked into surrendering the titles of their land
to him. Finally, he is arrested.