Q1: In your opinion, how key is the parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end?
In my opinion, the parent-child relationship is key to Vinod's inevitable end is to a certain extent. Vinod and his parents are not on very good terms and this can be seen from the fact that Vinod's parents does not appear in the play at all. From this, it shows that Vinod's parents' existence to his life is very small and except for the fact that they want him to go to university, they don't really care much about him. All they want out of him is his intelligence. They only care about his results. They don't care about his health at all. "..." From this we show that they do not show concern over Vinod's health. Even after they know that Vinod has mental illness, they dont do anything to help. What every parent-child relationship that should be present is the presentation of love and concern. Vinod want's that very much. But he does not get it, therefore it led to his inevitable end.
However, it is not entirely because of this that led to Vinod's inevitable end. It is also due to society. Vinod wanted to fit in to society very much. "Who else would hire a person who is fine today and has a breakdown tomorrow?" (Act 5 Scene 1 / pg 121) This explains why Vinod felt like he didn't belong anywhere. When he was working for Mr Chow, he was only using Vinod as a free worker. Vinod confronted him but Mr Chow did not care. It was a sign that society did not want him in. When he failed to achieve that, it led to his downfall. The fact that he could not fit in to society was a dealt a very big blow to him. Which is what led to his ultimate downfall.
Therefore, the parent-child relationship is key to Vinod's inevitable end is only to a certain extent.
Q2: "Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall" To what extent do you agree with this statement?
I agree with this analysis to a certain great extent. Due to Vinod's high expectations of himself, he wanted the best when he does things. When there is high hope, there will be much disappointment. Vinod expected alot from himself. So, when Vinod failed to achieve what he wanted to achieve, he was disappointed. Perhaps, it is because of Vinod's mental illness, which is depression, that caused him his downfall. Vinod's high expectations and failure to achieve it was a great blow to him. He felt that since he cannot do anything right, he cannot fit in to society. Therefore, i agrree with this statement that Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall.
Q3: Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.
The reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play is due to society, Vinod and Emily.
Society did not allow any place for Saloma to fit in. Everything that Saloma does, she feels that there are people staring and looking at her. "OK, not them, but their brother, their sister, their children, father , mother, friend. Maybe they never say, but they also never scold people who say." Saloma feels that society condemns the offcentre. She feels that because of it, she cannot fit into society, which is why she is mental.
But it is because of Vinod and Emily that helped Saloma to change into someone stronger. Although Vinod does not believes Saloma when she says she hears voices in her head, Vinod still helps Saloma indirectly. It is because of Vinod that Saloma became stronger. She learned to do things herself. Even when Vinod told Saloma not to eat the medicine, she still ate it. "..laughing is therapeutic. It's better than taking all those pills." Vinod wants Saloma to not eat the medicine because to Vinod, the medicine makes him feel self-conscious. But Saloma did not listen. She heed her own words instead of listening to what Vinod tells her to do.
However, the factor that contributed the most to Saloma's transformation in the play is Emily. "No, you are strong. Say it. I am strong. Nothing can destroy me." It is this mantra that Emily said to Saloma that helped Saloma. Emily told Saloma this to make her feel better. When Saloma was talking to Vinod and Vinod said something to Saloma said the mantra and it helped her to feel better.
Therefore, the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play is society, Vinod and Emily.
Q4: "Though a minor role in the play, the character Razali is the key to the plot of Offcentre." To what extent to you agree with this assesment?
Razali being a real character has brought much controversy. Some say that Razali is but a figment of imagination while others feel that he is real. I agree to Razali being the key to the plot to a certain extent.
Although Razali does not have a major role in the play, speculations about him being real or fake may be one of the factors that is in the plot. The role of Razali is to explore the thinking of Vinod and Saloma. Much of Vinod's needs and wants is reflected from Razali. Vinod wanted love, attention and he wanted to be someone who could protect Saloma. All of this is in Razali. Saloma sees Razali as a fatherly figure. Vinod sees Razali as a fatherly figure. In Act 2 Scene IV(page 78), for some reason, Razali appears in Vinod's room and Saloma could also hear what Razali is saying. "You keep thinking and thinking" What Razali is saying is something from Vinod's mind. Saloma is answering to Razali but they are the answers for Vinod. This may be the reason for the controversial speculations as to whether Razali is real or fake.
Q5: "Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyata." means to "Give, Sympathise, Control" How did the major characters in the play exert control in their environment and/or their life? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Saloma,who is a major character in the play, exerts control in her life. Even though Saloma's mother, Mak, and Vinod tried to make Saloma not take her medicine, Saloma did not listen.
Q6: Based on the text Offcentre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
Peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status because everyone needs to be accepted by their peers in order to feel that they can fit into society. Being accepted by friends is the first step to being accepted by society. Peers are the ones we face everyday.
Based on the text Offcentre, Vinod was not accepted by his friends. When his friends knew that he had mental illness, they shunned and avoided him like he caught the plague. "Well, it would have helped if some of my friends called once in awhile.. if ONE of my friends called. Johnson tells his family he's not in whenever i call. I know." It is because of this that Vinod felt like he didn't belong. It was why he doesnt want to continue his studies even though he could have gotten to university easily.
Everyone needs family support in whatever they do. Family should be the thing that we know we can always fall back on and that they will be there for us. Always.
But for Vinod's case, he did not care any family support. It was also the reason that led to his downfall. All he needed was his family's care and concern. Compared to Saloma, who had the support of Mak, Vinod got the shorter end of the stick. Even though Mak persuaded Saloma not to eat the medicine, it was only because she believed in more superstitious things. It wasnt because that she did not care. She also asked Saloma to pray to rid of the evil (it was what she believed). Through this, Saloma felt supported. She did not feel abandoned.
Therefore, peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental-well being.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Quotes from Island Voices
1) Paper
"It burned brilliantly, and in three minutes was a heap of ashes on the grave." - pg 9
"He wanted a beautiful house all his life; I shall give him the beautiful house now!" - pg 8
2) The Matyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
"Well, Helena had the meek gentle face of a nun and the force of personality of an Empress Tzu Hsi." - pg 12
".."she brought him up to believe that to insult his mother's devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy." - pg 13
3) Sundowner
"It's the children I think about most, Jhn. The coolies spend all their money on drink and the children are just skin and bone and riddled with disease." - pg 25
"Yes, tuan. Whatever the tuan says." - pg 22
4) Tanjong Rhu
"I know I have everything I need." - pg 30
"The veins seemed thicker and greener on her fists, pulsing desperately." - pg 37
5) Evening under Frangipani
"...jostling with teenagers on parade, the sharp scent of glue in their decaying minds." - pg 53
"Treats, treats, that's all you Singaporeans ever think about." - pg 72
6) Lee
"..what's saddest is the way you get these big concrete office blocks owned by ITT or something standing next to this zinc hut where you see a guy in the doorway selling a tent." - pg 90
"Hey, I'm on hiatus from conventions." - pg 91
7) A History of Tea
"A storm n the teacuo." - pg 119
"Then she would pour another cup for herself, filling it from the kettle kept hot on the small stove of burning charcoals." - pg 121
8) A Dream of China
"Without the human experience of your forefathers before you it is hard to build a strong future." - pg 127
"A country is only as good as it's men. My father is a good man ... whichever country can claim him as it's own." - pg 138
9) Release
"Everyone's having new babies. Our bitch has got four." - pg 142
"She sat down, blinded by the scream that filled her mind." - pg 148
10) An Orbituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late
"She was my aunt but I didn't make it a point to be her niece." - pg 149
"We don't have a photograph of her." - pg 161
11) Corridor
"Which means also to say that the man could have been killed any time at all." - pg 167
"And like an answer or a question the warm amber lights in her living-room came on." - pg 175
12) Mid-Autumn
"It's a calling from God. It's a fire in my bones. If I don't go, I'll just burn and die." - pg 186
"I don't want her to treat me like her lantern. The lantern made her shout, clap , dance. But when she lost the lantern, she said, "Forgte it, never mind." She once said I was her best gift. But now that she has left me, what will she say?"
13) Hamid and the Hand of Fate
"..it's not wrong to accept gifts if people show you they are grateful for your help, right?" - 198
"Young women these days ought not to be trusted." - 202
14) The Move
"Too bad the pomegranate has grown so big." - pg 205
"Remember how Melissa and I would wait forever for the first pomegranate of the year to turn red? Did you really have this since we were born?" - pg 206
15) Pastime
"Then one day -- just like that -- they decide to release him. You don't matter anymore, they tell him. You're history." - pg 214
"It's a hobby, a pastime. It's not real life." - pg 220
"It burned brilliantly, and in three minutes was a heap of ashes on the grave." - pg 9
"He wanted a beautiful house all his life; I shall give him the beautiful house now!" - pg 8
2) The Matyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
"Well, Helena had the meek gentle face of a nun and the force of personality of an Empress Tzu Hsi." - pg 12
".."she brought him up to believe that to insult his mother's devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy." - pg 13
3) Sundowner
"It's the children I think about most, Jhn. The coolies spend all their money on drink and the children are just skin and bone and riddled with disease." - pg 25
"Yes, tuan. Whatever the tuan says." - pg 22
4) Tanjong Rhu
"I know I have everything I need." - pg 30
"The veins seemed thicker and greener on her fists, pulsing desperately." - pg 37
5) Evening under Frangipani
"...jostling with teenagers on parade, the sharp scent of glue in their decaying minds." - pg 53
"Treats, treats, that's all you Singaporeans ever think about." - pg 72
6) Lee
"..what's saddest is the way you get these big concrete office blocks owned by ITT or something standing next to this zinc hut where you see a guy in the doorway selling a tent." - pg 90
"Hey, I'm on hiatus from conventions." - pg 91
7) A History of Tea
"A storm n the teacuo." - pg 119
"Then she would pour another cup for herself, filling it from the kettle kept hot on the small stove of burning charcoals." - pg 121
8) A Dream of China
"Without the human experience of your forefathers before you it is hard to build a strong future." - pg 127
"A country is only as good as it's men. My father is a good man ... whichever country can claim him as it's own." - pg 138
9) Release
"Everyone's having new babies. Our bitch has got four." - pg 142
"She sat down, blinded by the scream that filled her mind." - pg 148
10) An Orbituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late
"She was my aunt but I didn't make it a point to be her niece." - pg 149
"We don't have a photograph of her." - pg 161
11) Corridor
"Which means also to say that the man could have been killed any time at all." - pg 167
"And like an answer or a question the warm amber lights in her living-room came on." - pg 175
12) Mid-Autumn
"It's a calling from God. It's a fire in my bones. If I don't go, I'll just burn and die." - pg 186
"I don't want her to treat me like her lantern. The lantern made her shout, clap , dance. But when she lost the lantern, she said, "Forgte it, never mind." She once said I was her best gift. But now that she has left me, what will she say?"
13) Hamid and the Hand of Fate
"..it's not wrong to accept gifts if people show you they are grateful for your help, right?" - 198
"Young women these days ought not to be trusted." - 202
14) The Move
"Too bad the pomegranate has grown so big." - pg 205
"Remember how Melissa and I would wait forever for the first pomegranate of the year to turn red? Did you really have this since we were born?" - pg 206
15) Pastime
"Then one day -- just like that -- they decide to release him. You don't matter anymore, they tell him. You're history." - pg 214
"It's a hobby, a pastime. It's not real life." - pg 220
5 memorable quotes from Off Centre
1) "We only hurt ourself." - Act Two / Scene IV ; page 78
2) "Whatever lah, as long as I'm not plain like everyone else. DH Lawrence said that as long as you lead a full life it doesn't matter if it's happy or sad, long or short." - Act Two / Scene III ; page 64
3) "Who needs the Singapore education system? Life is too precious. Go to the beach. Go for a swim. Get your own books. Teach yourself. Make a difference." - Act Two / Scene I ; page 53
4) "Everything is so void. Who are we trying to avoid?" - Act Two / Scene III ; page 63
5) "Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata. Give. Sympathise. Control. To live is to give -- no strings attached. Sympathise -- not with yourself but with others... others who are blind. and in this country, there are many. Finally, control. We must accept what life offers, but we must also take control of it's course." - Act Four / Scene I ; page 103
2) "Whatever lah, as long as I'm not plain like everyone else. DH Lawrence said that as long as you lead a full life it doesn't matter if it's happy or sad, long or short." - Act Two / Scene III ; page 64
3) "Who needs the Singapore education system? Life is too precious. Go to the beach. Go for a swim. Get your own books. Teach yourself. Make a difference." - Act Two / Scene I ; page 53
4) "Everything is so void. Who are we trying to avoid?" - Act Two / Scene III ; page 63
5) "Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata. Give. Sympathise. Control. To live is to give -- no strings attached. Sympathise -- not with yourself but with others... others who are blind. and in this country, there are many. Finally, control. We must accept what life offers, but we must also take control of it's course." - Act Four / Scene I ; page 103
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Literature Discussion-A Dream Of China
1. "However, China had nothing to say to my spirit. If indeed land speaks to spirit. My spirit was as alien here as i was. If inclined towards a diamond city of trees and meaningful occupation, efficiently sparkling in the modern world. That was where i truly belonged, among skyscrapers with glass fronts and gold-encrusted orchids."Do you think the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt? Why or why not? How would you describe your feelings towards Singapore, using imagery you feel suitable?
I feel that the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt to a large extent. In certain areas/parts of this island, the places that will be suitable to being named as a "diamond city" will be the city areas. The city areas are the areas that have buildings that scapes the skies.They are all made of glass and if one sees the area from a bird's eye view, it would definitely be like a "diamond city. " That is the literal meaning of the phrase. To see from it figuratively, it can be said that Singapore is a country that is worth alot, in the sense that we are a growing economic country. Diamonds are gems. To refer Singapore as a diamond city, could be refering Singapore as a gem city. To this, i agree. Therefore i feel that it's apt to refer Singapore as a "diamond city".
To desribe my feelings towares Singapore would be the image of a snowball rolling downhill. It accumulates more snow as it goes down. To me, it would be going up , as i grow up, but the main thing is that, like the snowball that accumulates more snow, my love for Singapore will continue to grow as i grow everyday. Even though, i like other countries, i still believe Singapore would be able to prosper even more. My love for Singapore will keep living on and grows as i go down the hill.
2. "With great grandness, my uncle ordered orange drinks from the waiter. He criticized the glasses as dirty when the drinks arrived and insisted on new words...I kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with such relish."
Why do you think the uncle behaves in this manner? Do you feel sorry for him or do you regard him with distaste, as his niece does?
The first time i read, i thought the uncles behaves like this because i thought he was showing off. After the 2nd reading, i realized that the reason why the uncle behaves like this could be because this is his first time enjoying drinks in a place different from where he usually goes and he's also being waited on. If i were in his shoes, i might enjoy the feeling for a little while. Therefore, i think the uncle behaves in this manner because he wanted to experience it.
I feel sorry for him, because he doesnt usually get to enjoy such treatment, and the fact that he is only enjoying for alittle while.
3. "I returned to Singapore alienated form the China I saw, but no less eager to listen to my father's stories of the most beautiful of beautiful lands."
Do you find this a contradiction? Why or why not?
Yes. I find it a contradiction because even though the author did not see the China depicted from her father's stories, she still could not wait to listen to her father's stories. Even though she knew that her father's China is totally different from the actual one.
4. "A country is only as good as it's men. My father is a good man....whichever country can claim as it's own."
What do you think the narrator means by the first statement?
To what extent would you agree that her father is a good man? Give reasons for your answer. Which country, do you think, should claim him for it's own?
I think the narrator means that, for a country to be good, it's men, the citizens have to be good. For it's men are the ones who make up the country. A country cannot be good and it's men are not. They are both directly connected. Good men, make a good country.
I agree that her father is a good man to a large extent. Her father still sent money to China for his brother, and even though his brother's wife only asked for a bit of money, he would always send a bit more. He still remembers his roots. His birth place, even after leaving it many many years ago.
I think the country that should claim him for it's own is China. After all, that's where he came from. He will always belong there no matter where he is.
I feel that the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt to a large extent. In certain areas/parts of this island, the places that will be suitable to being named as a "diamond city" will be the city areas. The city areas are the areas that have buildings that scapes the skies.They are all made of glass and if one sees the area from a bird's eye view, it would definitely be like a "diamond city. " That is the literal meaning of the phrase. To see from it figuratively, it can be said that Singapore is a country that is worth alot, in the sense that we are a growing economic country. Diamonds are gems. To refer Singapore as a diamond city, could be refering Singapore as a gem city. To this, i agree. Therefore i feel that it's apt to refer Singapore as a "diamond city".
To desribe my feelings towares Singapore would be the image of a snowball rolling downhill. It accumulates more snow as it goes down. To me, it would be going up , as i grow up, but the main thing is that, like the snowball that accumulates more snow, my love for Singapore will continue to grow as i grow everyday. Even though, i like other countries, i still believe Singapore would be able to prosper even more. My love for Singapore will keep living on and grows as i go down the hill.
2. "With great grandness, my uncle ordered orange drinks from the waiter. He criticized the glasses as dirty when the drinks arrived and insisted on new words...I kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with such relish."
Why do you think the uncle behaves in this manner? Do you feel sorry for him or do you regard him with distaste, as his niece does?
The first time i read, i thought the uncles behaves like this because i thought he was showing off. After the 2nd reading, i realized that the reason why the uncle behaves like this could be because this is his first time enjoying drinks in a place different from where he usually goes and he's also being waited on. If i were in his shoes, i might enjoy the feeling for a little while. Therefore, i think the uncle behaves in this manner because he wanted to experience it.
I feel sorry for him, because he doesnt usually get to enjoy such treatment, and the fact that he is only enjoying for alittle while.
3. "I returned to Singapore alienated form the China I saw, but no less eager to listen to my father's stories of the most beautiful of beautiful lands."
Do you find this a contradiction? Why or why not?
Yes. I find it a contradiction because even though the author did not see the China depicted from her father's stories, she still could not wait to listen to her father's stories. Even though she knew that her father's China is totally different from the actual one.
4. "A country is only as good as it's men. My father is a good man....whichever country can claim as it's own."
What do you think the narrator means by the first statement?
To what extent would you agree that her father is a good man? Give reasons for your answer. Which country, do you think, should claim him for it's own?
I think the narrator means that, for a country to be good, it's men, the citizens have to be good. For it's men are the ones who make up the country. A country cannot be good and it's men are not. They are both directly connected. Good men, make a good country.
I agree that her father is a good man to a large extent. Her father still sent money to China for his brother, and even though his brother's wife only asked for a bit of money, he would always send a bit more. He still remembers his roots. His birth place, even after leaving it many many years ago.
I think the country that should claim him for it's own is China. After all, that's where he came from. He will always belong there no matter where he is.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Literature Discussion-Paper, Tanjong Rhu
1. 1. Do the respective authors use these traditional Chinese rituals (eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper money and houses, lighting joss-sticks and praying to dead ancestors) just for irony or for more profound purposes? What are these purposes?
Paper
From the story paper, the chinese rituals are use for irony.
" There is a devil in him " said the medicine man and he procedded to make him a drink which he mixed with the ashes of a piece of prayer paper.
"The paper house was brought to TaySoon's grave and set on fire there. It burned brilliantly, and in three minutes was a heap of ashes on the grave."
The burning of things for the dead and drinking ashes of piece of prayer paper was just a irony used in the story. To show that the mother was taking care of TaySoon instead of TaySoon's wife. Plus, this shows that the chinese rituals in this story is just for irony.
TanjongRhu
In the story TanjongRhu, the chinese ritual were used as both a irony and profound purpose.
"tiny porcelain wine cups, gold-leafed sheets of ceremonial money, candles and joss-sticks and countless packets of incense."
" How many times do you bow after lighting the incense ?"
"Afterwards what candles do you light, what wine do you offer, what incense do you burn ? "
"He say he can see TanjongRhu from there, so i will go up and look for it too. Perhaps, father of Ah-Wah, i will see you there."
"You old folks just give her burial clothes!"
Profound - 'Po-po' pray to her husband even before she go to visit Ah-Wah's office. Also as a form of respect, to pray to the dead, and burning stuffs for them, which is said that they will receive it at the 'other-side' of the world.
Its also used as a irony so as to allow Ah-Wah remember about the past of TanjongRhu. 'Po-po' pray/talk to her husband about TanjongRhu and is trying to tell us about the past of TanjongRhu.
2. Would you, yourself, as a modern young Singaporean, see the relevance of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still, or are a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking?
In my opinion, i believe that cultural rituals are still necessary. Even though i am a modern young Singaporean of the 21st Century, i still believe in traditional rituals. I feel that it is a root for me to base on. Without religion, a person might sometimes feel that they belong nowhere, and while some would not believe in God, i believe that there is always a God--no matter of what religion--present in our hearts.
It cannot be said that cultural rituals are a hindrance to our progress, because without something for us to learn from or something for us to get away from, how would we progress? Enlightened thinking does not mean that we have to abandon our own culture. Without them, we might not be anywhere at all. I'm not of any religion but i believe in Buddhism. I believe that whenever there is festivals that involves Buddhism, we have to do the culture traditional's rituals. It's a regonition of ourselves. We cannot say that by performing the rituals, it's a hindrance because it doesnt get in the way at all.
Therefore, i believe that the relevance of cultural rituals in my society, still necessary.
3. Do you think the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world? How far is it a virtue to remain contented like old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more than a person, especially an elderly one, can want?
In my opinion, the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world. Like the stories Paper and Tanjong Rhu, the elderly in it--Ah-Ma and Mrs Li--do not wish for materialisitc things. It could be because they do not really care about these things but if we look at it in a different way, we see that they could also have lost touch with the outside world. In Paper, Mrs Li did not care for big houses that have swimming pools and marble flooring. She said that the money can be made for better usage. But in this society now, everything is about what you have. The type of phones you have, the type of clothes you wear, whether you own any designer clothing, even where you eat, can either outcast you or welcome you in the battlefield society. Mrs Li doesnt know that. Ah-Ma did not care about what is in the present either. When she was given the :see-far" glasses, what she saw was priceless, but it did not exist anymore. What she saw was her past. This shows that Ah-Ma is out of touch with the contemporary world, because even though she was given a "see-far" glasses, she did not see anything else in front of her eyes but she only lived in a past.
Therefore, i feel that the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world.
To remain contented with what you have can only remain a virtue to a certain extent. It's true that people should not be too greedy and be happy with what you have instead of always trying to get something better than the one you have. But to be so easily contented can be a negative point because you wont get far in life. If everyone were to be like Mrs Li and be happy with what they had, Singapore would not have been what it is today. In the past, being contented with what you have would be a virture, but in this world now, if you dont strive to do better than what you had, you'll be left behind. And it's very difficult to catch back up. There will never be anything that a person will not want. Humans are like that, once we have something, and then we see someone else having something better than what we have, we will want to either get what they have or get something better than what others have. That is the human nature. Therefore, to be contented with what one has can only be a virtue to a certain extent.
4. Is looking back at the past necessarily a good thing? This particular story uses the past to affirm strong ties, emotion and sentiment, but when can it become a negative habit?
Looking back at the past may not necessarily be a good thing. To always think about the past, and not bother with what the present holds, one may lose touch of what is happening around you. When one keeps thinking about the past, one will be leaving in the shadows of the past. One will never learn to let go , and to not learn to let go, one might not be able to find happiness. To let go is as important as to hold on. We can hold on to what we love, but we have to let go of what we think of the past. The present and future may hold even better things when we learn how to let go and see things that are worth seeing.
The story that uses the past to affirm strong ties, emotion and sentiment is Tanjong Rhu. The person who holds on to the past is Ah-Ma. She thinks too much of the past and when Mr Li gave her the "see-far" glasses, she was supposed to see far. Far to what's ahead of her, but instead she see the past. Yes, it's good that we remember our past and remember where we came from but holding on too much to it can be a negative habit when all one talks about is about the past.
Therefore looking back at the past may not necessarily be a good thing.
Paper
From the story paper, the chinese rituals are use for irony.
" There is a devil in him " said the medicine man and he procedded to make him a drink which he mixed with the ashes of a piece of prayer paper.
"The paper house was brought to TaySoon's grave and set on fire there. It burned brilliantly, and in three minutes was a heap of ashes on the grave."
The burning of things for the dead and drinking ashes of piece of prayer paper was just a irony used in the story. To show that the mother was taking care of TaySoon instead of TaySoon's wife. Plus, this shows that the chinese rituals in this story is just for irony.
TanjongRhu
In the story TanjongRhu, the chinese ritual were used as both a irony and profound purpose.
"tiny porcelain wine cups, gold-leafed sheets of ceremonial money, candles and joss-sticks and countless packets of incense."
" How many times do you bow after lighting the incense ?"
"Afterwards what candles do you light, what wine do you offer, what incense do you burn ? "
"He say he can see TanjongRhu from there, so i will go up and look for it too. Perhaps, father of Ah-Wah, i will see you there."
"You old folks just give her burial clothes!"
Profound - 'Po-po' pray to her husband even before she go to visit Ah-Wah's office. Also as a form of respect, to pray to the dead, and burning stuffs for them, which is said that they will receive it at the 'other-side' of the world.
Its also used as a irony so as to allow Ah-Wah remember about the past of TanjongRhu. 'Po-po' pray/talk to her husband about TanjongRhu and is trying to tell us about the past of TanjongRhu.
2. Would you, yourself, as a modern young Singaporean, see the relevance of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still, or are a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking?
In my opinion, i believe that cultural rituals are still necessary. Even though i am a modern young Singaporean of the 21st Century, i still believe in traditional rituals. I feel that it is a root for me to base on. Without religion, a person might sometimes feel that they belong nowhere, and while some would not believe in God, i believe that there is always a God--no matter of what religion--present in our hearts.
It cannot be said that cultural rituals are a hindrance to our progress, because without something for us to learn from or something for us to get away from, how would we progress? Enlightened thinking does not mean that we have to abandon our own culture. Without them, we might not be anywhere at all. I'm not of any religion but i believe in Buddhism. I believe that whenever there is festivals that involves Buddhism, we have to do the culture traditional's rituals. It's a regonition of ourselves. We cannot say that by performing the rituals, it's a hindrance because it doesnt get in the way at all.
Therefore, i believe that the relevance of cultural rituals in my society, still necessary.
3. Do you think the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world? How far is it a virtue to remain contented like old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more than a person, especially an elderly one, can want?
In my opinion, the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world. Like the stories Paper and Tanjong Rhu, the elderly in it--Ah-Ma and Mrs Li--do not wish for materialisitc things. It could be because they do not really care about these things but if we look at it in a different way, we see that they could also have lost touch with the outside world. In Paper, Mrs Li did not care for big houses that have swimming pools and marble flooring. She said that the money can be made for better usage. But in this society now, everything is about what you have. The type of phones you have, the type of clothes you wear, whether you own any designer clothing, even where you eat, can either outcast you or welcome you in the battlefield society. Mrs Li doesnt know that. Ah-Ma did not care about what is in the present either. When she was given the :see-far" glasses, what she saw was priceless, but it did not exist anymore. What she saw was her past. This shows that Ah-Ma is out of touch with the contemporary world, because even though she was given a "see-far" glasses, she did not see anything else in front of her eyes but she only lived in a past.
Therefore, i feel that the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world.
To remain contented with what you have can only remain a virtue to a certain extent. It's true that people should not be too greedy and be happy with what you have instead of always trying to get something better than the one you have. But to be so easily contented can be a negative point because you wont get far in life. If everyone were to be like Mrs Li and be happy with what they had, Singapore would not have been what it is today. In the past, being contented with what you have would be a virture, but in this world now, if you dont strive to do better than what you had, you'll be left behind. And it's very difficult to catch back up. There will never be anything that a person will not want. Humans are like that, once we have something, and then we see someone else having something better than what we have, we will want to either get what they have or get something better than what others have. That is the human nature. Therefore, to be contented with what one has can only be a virtue to a certain extent.
4. Is looking back at the past necessarily a good thing? This particular story uses the past to affirm strong ties, emotion and sentiment, but when can it become a negative habit?
Looking back at the past may not necessarily be a good thing. To always think about the past, and not bother with what the present holds, one may lose touch of what is happening around you. When one keeps thinking about the past, one will be leaving in the shadows of the past. One will never learn to let go , and to not learn to let go, one might not be able to find happiness. To let go is as important as to hold on. We can hold on to what we love, but we have to let go of what we think of the past. The present and future may hold even better things when we learn how to let go and see things that are worth seeing.
The story that uses the past to affirm strong ties, emotion and sentiment is Tanjong Rhu. The person who holds on to the past is Ah-Ma. She thinks too much of the past and when Mr Li gave her the "see-far" glasses, she was supposed to see far. Far to what's ahead of her, but instead she see the past. Yes, it's good that we remember our past and remember where we came from but holding on too much to it can be a negative habit when all one talks about is about the past.
Therefore looking back at the past may not necessarily be a good thing.
Friday, January 29, 2010
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