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
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Literature Discussion-Older Generation;Insights of Revelation
Q5.Choose two stories that reveal the thinking of an older generation of Singaporeans. What new insights have you gained from such a revelation?
Tanjong Rhu
A:Tanjong Rhu reveal the thinking of an older generation because of the Mr. Li's mother, as known as Ah-ma, herself shows that people from a older generation has a different thinking. Mr Li, himself could also be counted as a person from the older generation, because of his daughter.
Ah-ma, is thrifty, she doesn't want Mr. Li to waste his money, she said " i know i have everything i need." when Mr. Li wanted to show her the binoculars he bought for her.
For her eyes operation, she describe it as, or more likely, she thinks of it as, having her eyes sliced open. Like a clove of garlic or what, talking about peeling my eyes.
People of older generation also thinks of the past, unlike, modern people, who think of enjoying life,and forget that happen in the past.
Traditional ; When Ying, Mr.Li's daughter wanted Ba-ba [ ah-ma ] to go with her father, she volunteer to help ba-ba with the praying, but her ba-ba in the end, scold her and asked her stuffs like whether ot not, does she even know how to address her grandfather.
Mr. Li also scolded her daughter for holding open her ba-ba [ ah-ma, po-po ] eyes.
Even after she donated a pint of blood, when the adults are the one who bring her burial clothes
Evening Under Frangipani
In the story, the thinking of the older generation is showed through Elaine's mother. She acts as the representative of people from the older generation because the olden way of thinking is that, to allow a man to marry their own daughters, the man has to have a good and stable job and comes from a stable family.
Elaine's mother despised Prakash and thought of him as a bully. This shows how biased she is against people from a lower status than her.
Another thinking showed is the idea of mixed marriages. In the olden days, not many people welcome the idea of marrying someone from a different race. When Elaine was with Prakash, Elaine's mother did not like it because Prakash was from a different race and cultural from Elaine. This shows the conventional way of thinking of people from the older generation.
Through this, i gained a new insight that one does not always have to look at the status of a person. To look at a person is to look at him/her through one's heart and not one's eyes. By doing that, it would make one a better person, and with everyone being a better person, it would make this world a better place.
Tanjong Rhu
A:Tanjong Rhu reveal the thinking of an older generation because of the Mr. Li's mother, as known as Ah-ma, herself shows that people from a older generation has a different thinking. Mr Li, himself could also be counted as a person from the older generation, because of his daughter.
Ah-ma, is thrifty, she doesn't want Mr. Li to waste his money, she said " i know i have everything i need." when Mr. Li wanted to show her the binoculars he bought for her.
For her eyes operation, she describe it as, or more likely, she thinks of it as, having her eyes sliced open. Like a clove of garlic or what, talking about peeling my eyes.
People of older generation also thinks of the past, unlike, modern people, who think of enjoying life,and forget that happen in the past.
Traditional ; When Ying, Mr.Li's daughter wanted Ba-ba [ ah-ma ] to go with her father, she volunteer to help ba-ba with the praying, but her ba-ba in the end, scold her and asked her stuffs like whether ot not, does she even know how to address her grandfather.
Mr. Li also scolded her daughter for holding open her ba-ba [ ah-ma, po-po ] eyes.
Even after she donated a pint of blood, when the adults are the one who bring her burial clothes
Evening Under Frangipani
In the story, the thinking of the older generation is showed through Elaine's mother. She acts as the representative of people from the older generation because the olden way of thinking is that, to allow a man to marry their own daughters, the man has to have a good and stable job and comes from a stable family.
Elaine's mother despised Prakash and thought of him as a bully. This shows how biased she is against people from a lower status than her.
Another thinking showed is the idea of mixed marriages. In the olden days, not many people welcome the idea of marrying someone from a different race. When Elaine was with Prakash, Elaine's mother did not like it because Prakash was from a different race and cultural from Elaine. This shows the conventional way of thinking of people from the older generation.
Through this, i gained a new insight that one does not always have to look at the status of a person. To look at a person is to look at him/her through one's heart and not one's eyes. By doing that, it would make one a better person, and with everyone being a better person, it would make this world a better place.
Literature Discussion-Ideals of the young people.
Q4. How are young people and their ideals presented in 2 or 3 stories in the collection? How far do you identify with those young people?
Story: Lee
A: For the story Lee, it may not entirely be based on youngsters in Singapore, because Lee grown up in the States. However, we can see that the ideals of the young people presented in this story is that Lee, is a person who loves music. This may seem like its only based on one character, we can also identify with the author that youngsters nowadays live for music. This is one ideal of youngsters that is shown in the story.
Another ideals shown by Lee is that she doesnt feel awkward or bad whenever she shows vulgaric behaviour in public. From the book, when some random guy whistled to her, she immediately flashed him the finger wihout hesitation. Lee's dad who is obviously of a much older generation had to sustain a shock from seeing Lee do that. This shows another ideal presented in the story.
Lee does not like thinking in the conventional way. This shows the ideal of youngsters nowadays as they do not really think in the same steroetypical way as the older generation.
Lee also dresses very casually. This is another ideal as youngsters nowadays also dresses quite casually whenever they go out.
People from the older generation thinks that it is very normal and a must for youngsters to know their own dialect. When Lee met with her Grandmother who wanted to speak to Lee but couldnt because they both spoke different languages. This is another conventional idea of the older generation which does not applies to the younger generation. We, yougsters does not think it is relevant to know much less understand the dialects because the world is changing and it is more important to speak languages that are relevant to the society.
Therefore this concludes the ideals that are presented in the story.
History Of Tea
For this story, there are two young people, Beverly and TianYee.
This two people themselves has different ideals presented.
Beverly thinks that tea is something important in their lifes, and is not just a "tea", while to TianYee, a tea is just a tea, nothing special, it's just something that they drink.
" She drank lapsang souchong and i had oolong. ", " Mine in just a tall mug with blue on white bamboo patterns and a cover to help it brew, beaded on its underside with water. Hers in a pot, trimmed at the top and base and gold pattern - Japanese imitating Royal Doulton - with matching cup, saucer, tiny jug of milk, a plated spoon and tea strainer on its own base, all produced on a gleaming tray with roses and briars worked onto the handles. "
TianYee thinks that tea was just something in the mug that his mother gave to him in the morning and at dinners.
But to Beverly, remember rules for a good brew, is more important then when she met her cousin, and what they talked about.
Beverly is angry with her parents for not letting her engage with a part Jewish guy.
To Beverly, it's something normal, plus, her parents themselves are also a mixed marriage, but yet, disagree to her engagment.
Story: Lee
A: For the story Lee, it may not entirely be based on youngsters in Singapore, because Lee grown up in the States. However, we can see that the ideals of the young people presented in this story is that Lee, is a person who loves music. This may seem like its only based on one character, we can also identify with the author that youngsters nowadays live for music. This is one ideal of youngsters that is shown in the story.
Another ideals shown by Lee is that she doesnt feel awkward or bad whenever she shows vulgaric behaviour in public. From the book, when some random guy whistled to her, she immediately flashed him the finger wihout hesitation. Lee's dad who is obviously of a much older generation had to sustain a shock from seeing Lee do that. This shows another ideal presented in the story.
Lee does not like thinking in the conventional way. This shows the ideal of youngsters nowadays as they do not really think in the same steroetypical way as the older generation.
Lee also dresses very casually. This is another ideal as youngsters nowadays also dresses quite casually whenever they go out.
People from the older generation thinks that it is very normal and a must for youngsters to know their own dialect. When Lee met with her Grandmother who wanted to speak to Lee but couldnt because they both spoke different languages. This is another conventional idea of the older generation which does not applies to the younger generation. We, yougsters does not think it is relevant to know much less understand the dialects because the world is changing and it is more important to speak languages that are relevant to the society.
Therefore this concludes the ideals that are presented in the story.
History Of Tea
For this story, there are two young people, Beverly and TianYee.
This two people themselves has different ideals presented.
Beverly thinks that tea is something important in their lifes, and is not just a "tea", while to TianYee, a tea is just a tea, nothing special, it's just something that they drink.
" She drank lapsang souchong and i had oolong. ", " Mine in just a tall mug with blue on white bamboo patterns and a cover to help it brew, beaded on its underside with water. Hers in a pot, trimmed at the top and base and gold pattern - Japanese imitating Royal Doulton - with matching cup, saucer, tiny jug of milk, a plated spoon and tea strainer on its own base, all produced on a gleaming tray with roses and briars worked onto the handles. "
TianYee thinks that tea was just something in the mug that his mother gave to him in the morning and at dinners.
But to Beverly, remember rules for a good brew, is more important then when she met her cousin, and what they talked about.
Beverly is angry with her parents for not letting her engage with a part Jewish guy.
To Beverly, it's something normal, plus, her parents themselves are also a mixed marriage, but yet, disagree to her engagment.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Literature Discussion-Change;Welcomed or feared
Q3. With reference to suitable stories, discuss how far change is shown to be either welcomed or feared.
Story-The Move
A: In this story, change is shown to be feared to a certain extent. Madam Teo, whose children are moving house. This is a type of change and Madam Teo did not seem welcome to it at first. One evidence of her not welcoming it is from her not wanting to let go of the past. She wanted to bring the footstools that had been with the family since Tommy(her child) was a kid. This shows that she doesnt welcome change because even though she was moving to a new house, she still wanted to keep the old things that had been with the family for thirty years.
An evidence that she welcomed the change of moving house was when the Ah-Pek who sold coffee told Madam Teo to take care of herself in the new environment. Madam Teo blushed and replied that she was proud to move with the times. This shows that she is welcoming change because she feels assured that it all right to have a change of environment and that she was proud to do so.
At the beginning Madam Teo did not welcome change that much. Then she thought about why was she feeling sad? It was only relocating from one house to another. So in the end, she welcomed change
This concludes why in this story, change is welcomed to only a certain extent.
Story-The Move
A: In this story, change is shown to be feared to a certain extent. Madam Teo, whose children are moving house. This is a type of change and Madam Teo did not seem welcome to it at first. One evidence of her not welcoming it is from her not wanting to let go of the past. She wanted to bring the footstools that had been with the family since Tommy(her child) was a kid. This shows that she doesnt welcome change because even though she was moving to a new house, she still wanted to keep the old things that had been with the family for thirty years.
An evidence that she welcomed the change of moving house was when the Ah-Pek who sold coffee told Madam Teo to take care of herself in the new environment. Madam Teo blushed and replied that she was proud to move with the times. This shows that she is welcoming change because she feels assured that it all right to have a change of environment and that she was proud to do so.
At the beginning Madam Teo did not welcome change that much. Then she thought about why was she feeling sad? It was only relocating from one house to another. So in the end, she welcomed change
This concludes why in this story, change is welcomed to only a certain extent.
Literature Discussion-Conflict between parent and child.
Q2. Select 2 or 3 stories in which there is conflict between parent and child, and show how far there is some resolution of this differences at the end of the story.
Story-Lee
A: The conflict between Lee and Lee's dad is that Lee criticized about the people in Singapore and how they dress. Lee's dad disliked her tone and chided her.
Another conflict is of the way Lee dresses and Lee's dad did not like it and said in irritation to why did Lee had to dress in that odd, casually scrappy ways of her. Lee rebutted that he suggest what way should she dress and he told her that at least the 'wimps' in the supermarket are neat. She said they were tacky and Lee's dad scolded back that he hated her using that word.
The resolution between Lee and her dad is when he told her of the story of how the Chinese and Indians had magnificient culture while the Caucasians were still not settled yet. He told her about how things changed and that in the end, it became that the Westerners were the one who ruled. He told her of how it became likke the Chinese and the rest looked like fools. Basically , he told her of the history of the world.
The conflicts between them were resolved because Lee's dad let out what he had wanted to say for a long time and Lee understood what he had been meaning. It resolved their differences.
The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues.
George has been bought up to become a person who grow up ground between millstones of sacrifice and unselfishness.
Helena's tactics enable her to tyrannize most people, including her own son, George. George was moulded from infancy into a perfect guy for his mother's techniques. Helena nurtured in him a hypersensitivity of conscience which bordered upon the pathological ;
George was bought up to believe that insulting his mother's devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy. Helena, scared of losing George, had kept him by her side.
When George was sixteen, when he acquired his driving license, he had dropped by to visit his uncle [the narrator], when his mother, Helena, was having her hair done.
George rejected his uncle's invitation for having dinner then next day because he was worried that his mother, Helena would be left alone at home, and scared that she would feel lonely, thinks that he couldn't leave his mother alone.
Helena pick that day when George had taken the car out all afternoon to make a trip to visit her sister, his aunt. She chose to travel by bus, at the hottest time of the day, to visit the most remote, the most phone-gossipy, and most indignant of his aunt. Causes George to hardly uses the car even since, lest his mother should again to forced to such hardship.
" His spirit, if it had not been broken before, now was thoroughly crushed. "
George met Caroline when he grew older, and she also convince him that his mother is a lady Dracula. Sensing that the power over him is endanger, she worked to tighthen her grip. Using the weapon of ill health, and again, she didn't told George anything, wanting to use someone's else mouth to pass the message to George.
On George's wedding day, Helena's doctor, Doctor de Cruz, summoned in great alarm, and told George that his mum is in great danger. Which causes him to cancel his wedding.
In the end, Helena as still left alone, because George died before her
Story-Lee
A: The conflict between Lee and Lee's dad is that Lee criticized about the people in Singapore and how they dress. Lee's dad disliked her tone and chided her.
Another conflict is of the way Lee dresses and Lee's dad did not like it and said in irritation to why did Lee had to dress in that odd, casually scrappy ways of her. Lee rebutted that he suggest what way should she dress and he told her that at least the 'wimps' in the supermarket are neat. She said they were tacky and Lee's dad scolded back that he hated her using that word.
The resolution between Lee and her dad is when he told her of the story of how the Chinese and Indians had magnificient culture while the Caucasians were still not settled yet. He told her about how things changed and that in the end, it became that the Westerners were the one who ruled. He told her of how it became likke the Chinese and the rest looked like fools. Basically , he told her of the history of the world.
The conflicts between them were resolved because Lee's dad let out what he had wanted to say for a long time and Lee understood what he had been meaning. It resolved their differences.
The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues.
George has been bought up to become a person who grow up ground between millstones of sacrifice and unselfishness.
Helena's tactics enable her to tyrannize most people, including her own son, George. George was moulded from infancy into a perfect guy for his mother's techniques. Helena nurtured in him a hypersensitivity of conscience which bordered upon the pathological ;
George was bought up to believe that insulting his mother's devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy. Helena, scared of losing George, had kept him by her side.
When George was sixteen, when he acquired his driving license, he had dropped by to visit his uncle [the narrator], when his mother, Helena, was having her hair done.
George rejected his uncle's invitation for having dinner then next day because he was worried that his mother, Helena would be left alone at home, and scared that she would feel lonely, thinks that he couldn't leave his mother alone.
Helena pick that day when George had taken the car out all afternoon to make a trip to visit her sister, his aunt. She chose to travel by bus, at the hottest time of the day, to visit the most remote, the most phone-gossipy, and most indignant of his aunt. Causes George to hardly uses the car even since, lest his mother should again to forced to such hardship.
" His spirit, if it had not been broken before, now was thoroughly crushed. "
George met Caroline when he grew older, and she also convince him that his mother is a lady Dracula. Sensing that the power over him is endanger, she worked to tighthen her grip. Using the weapon of ill health, and again, she didn't told George anything, wanting to use someone's else mouth to pass the message to George.
On George's wedding day, Helena's doctor, Doctor de Cruz, summoned in great alarm, and told George that his mum is in great danger. Which causes him to cancel his wedding.
In the end, Helena as still left alone, because George died before her
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Literature Discussion-Motherhood
Q1: How is motherhood presented in any two or three stories in the collection?
Story-Tanjong Rhu
A: In Tanjong Rhu, the mother is Mr Lee's mother, Ah-Ma.
The way that motherhood is presented in this story is through Ah-Ma being the one who keeps the past of her child, which in this case is Mr Lee.
When Mr Lee bought binoculars for his mother, she did not want it at first. She said:"Ah-Wah, things you can buy, i do not need." From this sentence, it means that things that Mr Lee can buy are the materialistc and real things. But Ah-Ma did not need them, for the things she need are her past, which no matter how much Mr Lee has , he cannot buy.
The past that Ah-Ma needs is the childhood of Mr Lee. Ah-Ma remembers the past of her which is of the younger verison of Mr Lee climbing in the empty hulls of the fishing boats that his father was building.
Therefore in my opinion, the motherhood presented in this story is of Ah-Ma being the one who keeps the past of her own child.
Mid-autumn
A: The mother make sure that the Ovaltine is cool enough for her daughter to drink, when they went to the coffee shop during the lantern festival.
She pay for her daughter's pile of revision assessment books and mock PSLE exam paper, all by herself. She stayed in her teaching job even though she didn't likes it so that she could afford the best education for her daughter. She use the money and send her to Methodist Girls' School. She also send her daughter to art, piano, and ballet classes at the Community Centre, and paid for her chinese tution. She paid for her daughter's classes by herself, without her husband giving a cent.
She bought a new flat in bedok, by herself - her husband didn't pay a single cent. But her husband sold her new flat and asked her to get a new one. She fled, but when she left the building, she heard her daughter screaming and felt water droplets on her neck, she knew that the droplet wasn't her daughter's tears, and yet, she will went back.
She does not want her daughter to go to Uganda, she is worried that her daughter would suffer there. She told her daughter that in Uganda there is no future, and no money, no pay.
She also told her daughter that "When you have no financial independence, you have no weapon, no shield, stuck with a bad husband and have bad jobs."
She forbid her daughter from going to Uganda but her daughter say that its a calling from the god and there's fire in her bones, and if she doesn't go, she will just burn and die.
She asked her daughter to stay but two months later, she woke up and her daughter is gone.
Story-Tanjong Rhu
A: In Tanjong Rhu, the mother is Mr Lee's mother, Ah-Ma.
The way that motherhood is presented in this story is through Ah-Ma being the one who keeps the past of her child, which in this case is Mr Lee.
When Mr Lee bought binoculars for his mother, she did not want it at first. She said:"Ah-Wah, things you can buy, i do not need." From this sentence, it means that things that Mr Lee can buy are the materialistc and real things. But Ah-Ma did not need them, for the things she need are her past, which no matter how much Mr Lee has , he cannot buy.
The past that Ah-Ma needs is the childhood of Mr Lee. Ah-Ma remembers the past of her which is of the younger verison of Mr Lee climbing in the empty hulls of the fishing boats that his father was building.
Therefore in my opinion, the motherhood presented in this story is of Ah-Ma being the one who keeps the past of her own child.
Mid-autumn
A: The mother make sure that the Ovaltine is cool enough for her daughter to drink, when they went to the coffee shop during the lantern festival.
She pay for her daughter's pile of revision assessment books and mock PSLE exam paper, all by herself. She stayed in her teaching job even though she didn't likes it so that she could afford the best education for her daughter. She use the money and send her to Methodist Girls' School. She also send her daughter to art, piano, and ballet classes at the Community Centre, and paid for her chinese tution. She paid for her daughter's classes by herself, without her husband giving a cent.
She bought a new flat in bedok, by herself - her husband didn't pay a single cent. But her husband sold her new flat and asked her to get a new one. She fled, but when she left the building, she heard her daughter screaming and felt water droplets on her neck, she knew that the droplet wasn't her daughter's tears, and yet, she will went back.
She does not want her daughter to go to Uganda, she is worried that her daughter would suffer there. She told her daughter that in Uganda there is no future, and no money, no pay.
She also told her daughter that "When you have no financial independence, you have no weapon, no shield, stuck with a bad husband and have bad jobs."
She forbid her daughter from going to Uganda but her daughter say that its a calling from the god and there's fire in her bones, and if she doesn't go, she will just burn and die.
She asked her daughter to stay but two months later, she woke up and her daughter is gone.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Pastime
Conflicts : ·Mr Lee & Tai Poh (External)
- There was a psychological conflict as they try to trick each other into admitting to something .
·Mr Lee & Tai Poh (Internal)
- Mr Lee was laughing on on the inside as he thinks that he thinks that Tai Poh has failed in trying to fool him .
Climax :
The start of the climax is when Mr. Lee started on his own “Story”
Resolution :
Nothing changed as its just a story, it was just a past time and nothing was real .
Characters;
1) Tai Poh
· Quiet (Pg 212, He did not talk to the passengers nor disturb them in any way)
· Observant (Pg 212, He watched and carefully considered before he picked the person to feature in his story)
· Secretive (Pg 217, He stopped to check his face , it betrayed nothing nor let anyone know anything through his face expressions)
2) Mr Lee
· Vigilant (Pg 216, He was prepared)
· Cunning (Pg 217, It betrayed nothing and he expected it, he was not simple minded.After living through so many years this way, he could not be simple minded .
The most interesting segment is when..
- There was a psychological conflict as they try to trick each other into admitting to something .
·Mr Lee & Tai Poh (Internal)
- Mr Lee was laughing on on the inside as he thinks that he thinks that Tai Poh has failed in trying to fool him .
Climax :
The start of the climax is when Mr. Lee started on his own “Story”
Resolution :
Nothing changed as its just a story, it was just a past time and nothing was real .
Characters;
1) Tai Poh
· Quiet (Pg 212, He did not talk to the passengers nor disturb them in any way)
· Observant (Pg 212, He watched and carefully considered before he picked the person to feature in his story)
· Secretive (Pg 217, He stopped to check his face , it betrayed nothing nor let anyone know anything through his face expressions)
2) Mr Lee
· Vigilant (Pg 216, He was prepared)
· Cunning (Pg 217, It betrayed nothing and he expected it, he was not simple minded.After living through so many years this way, he could not be simple minded .
The most interesting segment is when..
An Orbituary for 5th Aunt came late
Conflict
Aunt ; But mostly I think she shocked herself with her power of speech. She could only calm herself then with a trip to the kitchen sink, plowing her hands into dishes and dish-soiled water. (Internal)
Mother and her children (Pg 152, Their mother continually bewailed her lot – nine children, thirteen if you counted the dead babies, the endless chores, the drudgery.)(External)
Mother and husband( pg152 , The tight-lipped husband who positioned himself at the dinner-table-the-bed-out-the-front-door, who even she stopped simpering to when he opened his mouth and said “tea” or “hungry already”, and it then fell upon her to break the code.(External))
Aunt and her mother (pg152, When she was six years old, my aunt developed a bronchial cough that wonldnt go away even after weeks of murky, dark brews. The concoctions were so foul-smelling and bitter no amount of sugar could make them palatable. Don’t waste our sugar, her mother admonished, your brothers need the sugar for their school sandwiches. (External)
Climax
Resolution
Characters
1) Fifth Aunt
· Filial (pg 149 ,My aunt. She was in her fifties. She lived in my grandmother’s house.)
· Apologetic (pg149, One day she fell off her stool because she shifted her weight wrong, and she said, “ Oh sorry, oh sorry, I’m very clumsy.”)
· Un-feminine (pg150, She didn’t have a handkerchief tucked into the frog-buttons of her at-home top, so she wiped off her wet upper lip with her hand.
· Taciturn (pg150, My taciturn aunt, who didn’t speak.]
· Put others before herself (pg150, Who filled every soup bowl before her own.)
2) Narrator
· Disrespectful (pg149, She was my aunt but I didn’t make a point to be her niece)
· Had an air of nonchalance (pg 149-150, I suppose since I couldn’t be heard I didn’t try to think very much either.)
3) Grandmother
· Whiny (Pg 152, Their mother continually bewailed her lot)
· Traditional (prefer boys) (pg152, Don’t waste out sugar, her mother admonished, your brothers need the sugar for their school sandwiches.)
The most interesting segment is when..
Aunt ; But mostly I think she shocked herself with her power of speech. She could only calm herself then with a trip to the kitchen sink, plowing her hands into dishes and dish-soiled water. (Internal)
Mother and her children (Pg 152, Their mother continually bewailed her lot – nine children, thirteen if you counted the dead babies, the endless chores, the drudgery.)(External)
Mother and husband( pg152 , The tight-lipped husband who positioned himself at the dinner-table-the-bed-out-the-front-door, who even she stopped simpering to when he opened his mouth and said “tea” or “hungry already”, and it then fell upon her to break the code.(External))
Aunt and her mother (pg152, When she was six years old, my aunt developed a bronchial cough that wonldnt go away even after weeks of murky, dark brews. The concoctions were so foul-smelling and bitter no amount of sugar could make them palatable. Don’t waste our sugar, her mother admonished, your brothers need the sugar for their school sandwiches. (External)
Climax
Resolution
Characters
1) Fifth Aunt
· Filial (pg 149 ,My aunt. She was in her fifties. She lived in my grandmother’s house.)
· Apologetic (pg149, One day she fell off her stool because she shifted her weight wrong, and she said, “ Oh sorry, oh sorry, I’m very clumsy.”)
· Un-feminine (pg150, She didn’t have a handkerchief tucked into the frog-buttons of her at-home top, so she wiped off her wet upper lip with her hand.
· Taciturn (pg150, My taciturn aunt, who didn’t speak.]
· Put others before herself (pg150, Who filled every soup bowl before her own.)
2) Narrator
· Disrespectful (pg149, She was my aunt but I didn’t make a point to be her niece)
· Had an air of nonchalance (pg 149-150, I suppose since I couldn’t be heard I didn’t try to think very much either.)
3) Grandmother
· Whiny (Pg 152, Their mother continually bewailed her lot)
· Traditional (prefer boys) (pg152, Don’t waste out sugar, her mother admonished, your brothers need the sugar for their school sandwiches.)
The most interesting segment is when..
Release
Conflict:
· Eileen & the Female Neighbour (Pg 140 & 141, The neighbour compared Eileen together with their dog as they were both pregnant , this showed a form of disrepect)
· Eileen & her Husband (Pg 140 & 141, Her husband was irritated by the fact that Eileen forgotten to collect his suit)
· Eileen & her neighbours (Pg 141, They cut down her guava tree while she was at the supermarket)
· Eileen & her neighbours (Pg 142, They moved into theit property when they were away)
· Eileen & her husband (Pg 143, Philip was angry over the fact that Eileen were taking trival matters so seriously)
Climax
(Pg 145 & 146)
- When Eileen couldn’t take it any more , she decided to do something about it , she decided to wait for the person who gave the dogs their food , to do something to solve the problem .
Resolution
Open – Ended ;
The problem is only partially solved . It is only partially solved because , the dogs are quiet now , but they are already dead as the man used the tools to kill them .
Characters;
1) Eileen
· Friendly (Pg 139, She went over to say hi to her new neighbours when they were moving in)
· Petty (Pg 142, Her neighbour only intruded a small section of her garden and she became all furious and agitated)
· Patient (Pg 144, She talks and rock her baby even though it keeps crying)
2) Philip
· Petty (Pg 141, Just because it slipped Eileen’s mind to collect his suit , he became angry)
· Understanding (Pg 143, He was telling Eileen to let their neighbours to have that tiny bit of space since they don’t do gardening anyway)
3) The man who took care of the dogs
· Kind (Pg 146, He offered to carry Eileen’s baby , and he even stroked the baby’s cheek)
· Understanding (Pg 147, He agreed to shift the dogs to another place , to help Eileen solve her problem)
· Evil (Pg 148, He killed the puppies one by one to silence them)
The most interesting segment is when Eileen got very fustrated/angry with the dog’s noise.She couldn’t take it anymore for any longer, so phoned the police for help and even thought of calling the spca to help resolve the problem.By getting the police involved in such a trivial matter is a little uncommon. She was showing signs that she was slowly becoming mad because all she wanted, is to let her baby and her catch some sleep.
· Eileen & the Female Neighbour (Pg 140 & 141, The neighbour compared Eileen together with their dog as they were both pregnant , this showed a form of disrepect)
· Eileen & her Husband (Pg 140 & 141, Her husband was irritated by the fact that Eileen forgotten to collect his suit)
· Eileen & her neighbours (Pg 141, They cut down her guava tree while she was at the supermarket)
· Eileen & her neighbours (Pg 142, They moved into theit property when they were away)
· Eileen & her husband (Pg 143, Philip was angry over the fact that Eileen were taking trival matters so seriously)
Climax
(Pg 145 & 146)
- When Eileen couldn’t take it any more , she decided to do something about it , she decided to wait for the person who gave the dogs their food , to do something to solve the problem .
Resolution
Open – Ended ;
The problem is only partially solved . It is only partially solved because , the dogs are quiet now , but they are already dead as the man used the tools to kill them .
Characters;
1) Eileen
· Friendly (Pg 139, She went over to say hi to her new neighbours when they were moving in)
· Petty (Pg 142, Her neighbour only intruded a small section of her garden and she became all furious and agitated)
· Patient (Pg 144, She talks and rock her baby even though it keeps crying)
2) Philip
· Petty (Pg 141, Just because it slipped Eileen’s mind to collect his suit , he became angry)
· Understanding (Pg 143, He was telling Eileen to let their neighbours to have that tiny bit of space since they don’t do gardening anyway)
3) The man who took care of the dogs
· Kind (Pg 146, He offered to carry Eileen’s baby , and he even stroked the baby’s cheek)
· Understanding (Pg 147, He agreed to shift the dogs to another place , to help Eileen solve her problem)
· Evil (Pg 148, He killed the puppies one by one to silence them)
The most interesting segment is when Eileen got very fustrated/angry with the dog’s noise.She couldn’t take it anymore for any longer, so phoned the police for help and even thought of calling the spca to help resolve the problem.By getting the police involved in such a trivial matter is a little uncommon. She was showing signs that she was slowly becoming mad because all she wanted, is to let her baby and her catch some sleep.
A history of Tea
Conflicts
Climax
Resolution
Complete Ending ;
The conflicts are all resolved and when the narrator opened the lid to his tea, he saw in it all his relatives and his future.
Characters :
1) Narrator :Simple (Pg 108 , He did not use a mug that had complicated patterns on it like Beverly had.)
:Good sense of humour (Pg 109 , Laughed at a joke, "not my cup of tea")
2) Beverly :Fussy (Pg 109, she was choosy about the type of tea she liked.)
The most interesting segment is when Beverly made a joke about cup of tea comparing to the cup of tea in terms of the types of guys she wants.
Climax
Resolution
Complete Ending ;
The conflicts are all resolved and when the narrator opened the lid to his tea, he saw in it all his relatives and his future.
Characters :
1) Narrator :Simple (Pg 108 , He did not use a mug that had complicated patterns on it like Beverly had.)
:Good sense of humour (Pg 109 , Laughed at a joke, "not my cup of tea")
2) Beverly :Fussy (Pg 109, she was choosy about the type of tea she liked.)
The most interesting segment is when Beverly made a joke about cup of tea comparing to the cup of tea in terms of the types of guys she wants.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Lee
Conflicts : Lee's Dad (Internal Conflict)
- Pg 85 . He couldnt recgonize his daughter amidst the crowd in the airport and he panicked and started imagining all sorts of this that could have happened.
- Pg 85 , He felt awkward with Lee, his daughter whom he havent seen in 8yrs.
- Pg 90 . He felt embarrassed when Lee asked him questions point-blank.
- Pg 94, He envied other fathers who spent long-standing time with their children such that they had gained familarity, because he did not felt that way with Lee.)
- Pg 96, He wanted to tell Lee that it was normal for Singaporeans to not care about their image. He wanted to talk about things emotionally but felt embarrased and forced it back in.)
Climax : Pg 97-98 ;
It was the first time that Lee's Dad saw Lee lose her temper. Although it might not seem like such a big difference, it was the time that he finally confessed to her use of words.
Resolution : Complete Ending ;
Lee and her dad's relationship have finally stabilized after Lee gave him the "Blind" photograph. For the first time he was filled with passion for what he said to Lee. The story's resolved because he saw the lighted window that hovered in his mind before he slept. It means that he has finally seen what he'd been desperately trying to see, like how it is in the "Blind" photograph. Therefore this story is complete.
Characters;
1) Lee
• Violent (Pg 85 , She kicked the vending machine when no drinks came out.)
• Loves music ( Pg 87, When asked if she needed to listen to anything now, she said intensely that she needed the music.)
• Artistic ( Pg 90, She contrasted the environment she saw in Indonesia. "..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.")
• Impertinent (Pg 91, did not show proper respect when she asked her dad about his relationship process with her mum.)
• Reasons unreasonably (Pg 91, when her dad said she is impertinent, she reasoned that she is on hiatus from the traditional way of speaking.)
• Photographic (Pg 92, she decorated her bedroom wall with pictures that were mostly photographs and photographic stills.)
• Vulgaric(Pg 90, she pointed a middle finger at her man who whistled to her. Pg 94, she scolded Piscopo in a very bad manner.)
• Talkative (Entire story. She talked alot.)
• Observant(Entire story. Commented alot on the things she see, and takes note of small details of those that caught her eye.)
• Speaks critically(Pg 97, Her dad told her to stop criticizing.)
• Dresses casually.(9g 97. "..jeans of an extremely faded blue and a moth-eaten T-shirt with the seams ripped at the shoulder..")
• Sophisticated(Pg 101, "..Lee was too sophisticated for her age.")
2) Lee's Dad
• Easily jealous (Pg 88 , He felt a wholly unexpected jealousy when Lee started talking about Piscopo.)
• Does not like attention(Pg 98, "he hated to be the center of attention.")
The most interesting segment is when (there are alot of interesting parts in this story that i like) Lee compared a David Hockney print of LA women in swimming pools to the event of her mum drowning in the pool. "A David Hockney print came to life"(Love this line.) Another one is the last part of the story from the way the writer compared the revelation of Lee's Dad to the "Blind" photograph. One more that i like is the whole thing that Lee's Dad said to Lee, about the Eastern and the Western people. I like this also because i learnt something and i like things like the writer comparison of the "Blind" photograph with Lee's Dad.
- Pg 85 . He couldnt recgonize his daughter amidst the crowd in the airport and he panicked and started imagining all sorts of this that could have happened.
- Pg 85 , He felt awkward with Lee, his daughter whom he havent seen in 8yrs.
- Pg 90 . He felt embarrassed when Lee asked him questions point-blank.
- Pg 94, He envied other fathers who spent long-standing time with their children such that they had gained familarity, because he did not felt that way with Lee.)
- Pg 96, He wanted to tell Lee that it was normal for Singaporeans to not care about their image. He wanted to talk about things emotionally but felt embarrased and forced it back in.)
Climax : Pg 97-98 ;
It was the first time that Lee's Dad saw Lee lose her temper. Although it might not seem like such a big difference, it was the time that he finally confessed to her use of words.
Resolution : Complete Ending ;
Lee and her dad's relationship have finally stabilized after Lee gave him the "Blind" photograph. For the first time he was filled with passion for what he said to Lee. The story's resolved because he saw the lighted window that hovered in his mind before he slept. It means that he has finally seen what he'd been desperately trying to see, like how it is in the "Blind" photograph. Therefore this story is complete.
Characters;
1) Lee
• Violent (Pg 85 , She kicked the vending machine when no drinks came out.)
• Loves music ( Pg 87, When asked if she needed to listen to anything now, she said intensely that she needed the music.)
• Artistic ( Pg 90, She contrasted the environment she saw in Indonesia. "..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.")
• Impertinent (Pg 91, did not show proper respect when she asked her dad about his relationship process with her mum.)
• Reasons unreasonably (Pg 91, when her dad said she is impertinent, she reasoned that she is on hiatus from the traditional way of speaking.)
• Photographic (Pg 92, she decorated her bedroom wall with pictures that were mostly photographs and photographic stills.)
• Vulgaric(Pg 90, she pointed a middle finger at her man who whistled to her. Pg 94, she scolded Piscopo in a very bad manner.)
• Talkative (Entire story. She talked alot.)
• Observant(Entire story. Commented alot on the things she see, and takes note of small details of those that caught her eye.)
• Speaks critically(Pg 97, Her dad told her to stop criticizing.)
• Dresses casually.(9g 97. "..jeans of an extremely faded blue and a moth-eaten T-shirt with the seams ripped at the shoulder..")
• Sophisticated(Pg 101, "..Lee was too sophisticated for her age.")
2) Lee's Dad
• Easily jealous (Pg 88 , He felt a wholly unexpected jealousy when Lee started talking about Piscopo.)
• Does not like attention(Pg 98, "he hated to be the center of attention.")
The most interesting segment is when (there are alot of interesting parts in this story that i like) Lee compared a David Hockney print of LA women in swimming pools to the event of her mum drowning in the pool. "A David Hockney print came to life"(Love this line.) Another one is the last part of the story from the way the writer compared the revelation of Lee's Dad to the "Blind" photograph. One more that i like is the whole thing that Lee's Dad said to Lee, about the Eastern and the Western people. I like this also because i learnt something and i like things like the writer comparison of the "Blind" photograph with Lee's Dad.
Evening Under Frangipani
Conflicts : Internal Conflict: Prakash
Pg 47-48 , Nervous about his interview but tried to appear attentive. " He tried to appear attentive, to master his feelings and seem the right man for the job. "
Climax : Pg 62-63 ,
Prakash commented on Elaine's father's hands and Elained got offended saying that if Prakash thinks Elaine's father's hands are like beetles, then he must mean that Elaine's hands are also like beetles. This is the climax because it is the incident that made Elaine realize Prakash wasnt really the right one for her. It changed the way the story went so it is the climax.
Resolution : Complete Ending ;
Although this is a complete ending, it is not a happy one. Elaine and Prakash did not get back together, and it would have been good, if it wasnt for the fact that Prakash still had feelings for Elaine. It is complete because Elaine's conflict is resolved because she realized the problem in Prakash and her relationship. So, in a way, this is a complete ending.
Characters;
1) Prakash
• He is a nervous wreck(during job interview, pg 47)
• Hardworking(commended by the interviewer , pg 48)
2) Elaine
• Is a feminist. (pg 49-50)
• Dresses casually. ("cotton slacks and a loose white T-shirt, pg 51)
• Does like show-offy people. (pg 51)
• Does not like conventional ideas. ("day in day out..for his boiling frustration, pg 52)
• Thoughtful ( thought of telling Prakash about her good news. Add to his happiness if his interview went well. Cheer him up if he was depressed. , pg 53)
3) Elaine's Mum
• Sarcastic (pg 58)
• Unfriendly. (pg 58)
• Racist (Commented on Prakash not being able to drink soup due to his religious tradition of using his hands to eat. pg 59)
• Judgemental ("considered Prakash slow and stupid..imagined him physically agressive..bully Elaine out of her depth." , pg 83)
The most interesting segment is when Prakash fought the urge to hit the man that he found out Elaine came home with, while hiding behind a tree eavesdropping on the conversation. He imagined himself going to hit the man, imagined Elaine screaming. But he stayed hidden behind the tree. He clenched his fist while trying to keep himself from hitting the man. The interesting segment is the part when he thought of what his father said to him."Dignity is all a man has. Rsspect yourself and never beg anyone for favours. Then you will be respected and respected you will be happy." I find this interesting because i learnt something from the quote by his father.
Pg 47-48 , Nervous about his interview but tried to appear attentive. " He tried to appear attentive, to master his feelings and seem the right man for the job. "
Climax : Pg 62-63 ,
Prakash commented on Elaine's father's hands and Elained got offended saying that if Prakash thinks Elaine's father's hands are like beetles, then he must mean that Elaine's hands are also like beetles. This is the climax because it is the incident that made Elaine realize Prakash wasnt really the right one for her. It changed the way the story went so it is the climax.
Resolution : Complete Ending ;
Although this is a complete ending, it is not a happy one. Elaine and Prakash did not get back together, and it would have been good, if it wasnt for the fact that Prakash still had feelings for Elaine. It is complete because Elaine's conflict is resolved because she realized the problem in Prakash and her relationship. So, in a way, this is a complete ending.
Characters;
1) Prakash
• He is a nervous wreck(during job interview, pg 47)
• Hardworking(commended by the interviewer , pg 48)
2) Elaine
• Is a feminist. (pg 49-50)
• Dresses casually. ("cotton slacks and a loose white T-shirt, pg 51)
• Does like show-offy people. (pg 51)
• Does not like conventional ideas. ("day in day out..for his boiling frustration, pg 52)
• Thoughtful ( thought of telling Prakash about her good news. Add to his happiness if his interview went well. Cheer him up if he was depressed. , pg 53)
3) Elaine's Mum
• Sarcastic (pg 58)
• Unfriendly. (pg 58)
• Racist (Commented on Prakash not being able to drink soup due to his religious tradition of using his hands to eat. pg 59)
• Judgemental ("considered Prakash slow and stupid..imagined him physically agressive..bully Elaine out of her depth." , pg 83)
The most interesting segment is when Prakash fought the urge to hit the man that he found out Elaine came home with, while hiding behind a tree eavesdropping on the conversation. He imagined himself going to hit the man, imagined Elaine screaming. But he stayed hidden behind the tree. He clenched his fist while trying to keep himself from hitting the man. The interesting segment is the part when he thought of what his father said to him."Dignity is all a man has. Rsspect yourself and never beg anyone for favours. Then you will be respected and respected you will be happy." I find this interesting because i learnt something from the quote by his father.
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