Tony C Cutajar

THE SOCIAL THEMES OF TONY C CUTAJAR’S WORKS

The principal objective of Tony C Cutajar’s works when he writes for young adults like me and even younger is to encourage us to be good citizens and to involve ourselves in wholesome subjects that affect us in life. In each of the books he has written for us he wants us to come to understand that we can do something positive to produce the change where we feel it is necessary. Often I have come across themes of voluntary work in order to share with others all that is good and beautiful in us and around us.

Many of the books Mr Cutajar has written in recent years concentrate on a period or other of the history of Malta. We learn what our ancestors went through and the progress made in our country over the years. Besides, each book contains more than one social theme which become part of the story in an explicit or implicit way. We meet difficult situations and modern problems which the author very subtly hints how they can be solved. As a dedicated father of a family and an experienced teacher of over forty years’ standing, he treasures the values that we should still embrace. He warns teenagers especially to beware not to be carried away with the current.

The modern values everybody speaks about these days are human dignity, human rights, democracy, peace, solidarity, liberty, tollerance and equality. Most of these and others besides are found in the books being written specifically for young people by Tony C Cutajar. A book I know he has been writing for sometime concentrates on all of the above values and is going to be called Il-Lewn tal-? ilda. It is a very powerful book on a rather controversial subject, but moral values are not debatable and cannot be disputed.

Another thing we learn from these books, besides how to write correct and good Maltese, is the use of the Maltese idiom. The parents and mature characters in these stories speak in proverbs and idioms and also explain when the younger modern generations do not understand the real meaning. I have met some difficult words which are hardly used nowadays, but somehow there is always some kind of explanation. Mr Cutajar avoids using foreign words when there is the Maltese quivalent. Yet, he continually uses the language used by teenagers these days but never rude or swear words, even when some situations and subjects are not meant for children.

I am now going to mention specific examples of the social themes dealt with in some of these adventure stories written for teenagers and the young adults without entering into the plot or the sequence of the story. I am following the order the books came out over the years.

Il-Kitarra l-Misruqa is a typical story about an exaggerated rivalry between two groups of youngsters. Here we come across situations that illustrate very vividly the consequences of keeping bad company.

L-Arlo?? tad-Deheb too is a story of antagonism between boys from a state secondary school and those from a private school. The main lesson here is that we must never generalise. There are emphases on forgiveness, on being ready to apologise and on helping out at home.

Il-Misteri tal-Mensija is a historical novel especially in connection with the locality of Mensija. There are specific references to love for literature, respect for the elderly, the beauty of nature, prudence and discipline.

Is-Serqa tad-Djamanti begins and ends on a negative note. Its main theme is the result of keeping bad company. In the story we meet with spoilt children and corrupt youngsters, as well as violence in the home and bullying.

Il-Misteru tal-Lazzarett treats with the epidemic of the plague in Malta in 1813 and the cholera of 1837, as well as all the places connected with this event. The accent is on the importance of studying. Here we also come across the beginning of a serious friendship between the two sexes.

Kollu Tort tan-Nannu is a very positive story about a united family, mother’s love and respect for grandparents. However, there are very sad moments especially when we experience the difficulties that result from a broken home and the need for help. The accent is for friendship and solidarity with those who go through this problem. Current social issues are also dealt with, including drug taking and bird hunting, the importance of a career and healthy friendship between the two sexes There are also touches of the aesthetic, including music and poetry.

Il-Misteru tar-Razzett ta’ Xindi is about the time of the French occupation and the patriot Vincenzo Borg Brared. We are edified by the bravery and courage of the Maltese volunteers, among them children and young people from Birkirkara. We witness the love of a youngster for his widowed mother as well as the beauty of the Maltese g?ana.

Il-Misteru tal-Mag?laq is a sad story about youths kicked out of their home after experimenting with drugs and stealing. The dangers of bad company and drugs are stressed throughout. We also learn about Maltese legends and the prehistory of our island especially in connection with G?ar Dalam and G?ar Mag?laq in Qrendi.

Il-Misteru tar-Rotunda is a historical subject which has never been dealt with in Maltese literature for young people. The story shows what our grandparents went through during the last world war, especially in Mosta. We meet different sad experiences and learn about the horror and tragedy of war.

Il-Misteru tal-Palazz de Vilhena is about the turbulent history of Mdina during the French occupation particularly where this famous palace is concerned. Here we encounter two significant situations in the life of teenagers - attraction towards the opposite sex and the importance of sports.

Il-Ku?in ta’ l-Awstralja shows the difference between life in Malta and in Australia. There are emphases on very important aspects like unity and understanding in the family, the exploitation of young people, discipline and seriousness, respect towards monuments and historical remains, the vocation to the priesthood and the good use of the Maltese language.

Il-Pro?ett tal-Millennju concludes that truth and honesty always prevail. It is a story of a young man without a father and with a mother who spoils him. Other subjects touched upon are exaggerated rivalry, egoism, forgiveness, enthusiasm and cleanliness with regard to the environment.

Kienu Tfal Imqarba… deals with the subjects of the importance of learning and the beauty of nature and the environment. There are special emphases on exaggerated pampering, laziness, lack of discipline and the cruelty of bird hunting.

All these books show the kind of social themes that permeate throughout the books Tony C Cutajar is writing for us young adults and teenagers. A teacher is always a teacher. Even though the author retired almost ten years ago, he continues to pass on to all and sundry the pedagogy, enlightenment and good upbringing imbued in him. This is the only way for us to behave if we want to be good citizens of our country.