Prose Exercise 6
1)The father was unable to recognize his own daughter when he first ssw her because the last time he saw her, was about 8 years ago, she would have grown up & looked different by then. Evidence show as, "they hadn't met in eight years, he remembered, not since his ex-wife, having won custody of their eight-year-old child". This shows that since their divorce & having won custody of their child back then, the father had not met his daughter once in the past eight years. Therefore through the process of the eight years, his daughter had already grown up and should looked fairly different as compared to the past.
2)My impression of Li Wen is that, she is rather aggressive, as shown in the extract "she kicked the machine once, twice, three times". She kicked the machine three times as the drink did not came out, therefore, her actions shows how aggressive she is by nature. I think that she will have a hard thing having to adjust to her new environment because having to switch to an entirely different environment requires patience and time. As shown in the passage, "her sarcastic exclamations of 'oh my god' and "can this be real' ", shows that she isnt very good in adjusting to new stuff as the songs she heard on the radio back in her country were completely different to the ones she had tried to listen for this instance. Her sarcastic reactions to the songs played, showed how inefficiently that she wasn't a person who would be fine with adjusting to a new environment.
3 a)The writer shows the tension between father and daughter through their conversations. As seen in the passage, "oh my god", "can this be real", and "we don't believe in being swamped by the media here" the writer shows sarcastic remarks made by both father & daughter during the radio incident to create tension in the extract so as to emphasis the difference of the east and west couture.
3 b)In the passage, initially, he was feeling a little pissed at Li Wen because she could not remember anything about her country. He showed his displeasure by making a remark of "Don't you remember anything about your country" ? He was annoyed by Li Wen for not remembering anything, to have already forgotten everything of the past. At the end of the passage, the writer showed how the father tolerated her nonsense by not showing how annoyed he was, instead, he stopped the car for her to get her walkman, to make her happy, & in a way, it was a relief to have both of them not talking to each other.
4)One of the ways the writer used to display the differences and conflict between the East and West is through the conversations of he himself and his mother. As shown in the passage, a sarcastic reaction by his mother, "Is that a new-fangled Western concept or what?" shows how his mother isnt too happy to know that he wants some alone time with Li Wen, rather than her usual ways of doing things in big groups or as a whole family. As to comparing the east, people were more traditional and hence would preferred to do things in groups, rather than to being independent or to be alone as compared to the west. My feelings for the father and daughter in the story is that, they both required time to adjust to the living habits of one another as after all, they had both live in completely different places & they didnt know each other very well either.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 5
1) The setting of this scene is gloomy and solemn, to complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard as she received the news of her husband's death, her husband who she had lived with and gone through so much with for years. The writer describes the chair that Mrs Mallard saw as roomy, which probably meant that Mrs Mallard felt empty, as though something or someone is missing from her life after receiving the news. The writer also describes the weather, a delicious new breath of rain was in the air, which also shows the gloominess in what Mrs Mallard is feeling. A little freedom as now she was living for herself instead of her husband and yet sadness as she lost someone she had loved.
2) She probably had not much freedom in her marriage, as evidence in the passage shown : "she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely." It shows the suppression of impulses or emotions that Mrs Mallard is feeling. My impressions of Mrs Mallard is that she is a very loving and faithful woman. She loves her husband dearly, which can be seen how she had cried for her husband : "wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms". My feelings for Mrs Mallard at the end of the text is that I am happy for her as she left in peace and joy after all these years that she was in pain because of her heart trouble, believing in the news that her husband has passed on thus her time is already up.
3) The conclusion of this story is ironic because Mrs Mallard husband is alive in the end, and Mrs Mallard was the one who had passed away after she wept for her so called husband's death she had believed in. The writer develops the story towards its ironic conclusion by saying Mrs Mallard died of heart disease, of joy that kills. Dying of heart disease isn't a great thing, so the writer probably meant that Mrs Mallard died of joy.
1) The setting of this scene is gloomy and solemn, to complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard as she received the news of her husband's death, her husband who she had lived with and gone through so much with for years. The writer describes the chair that Mrs Mallard saw as roomy, which probably meant that Mrs Mallard felt empty, as though something or someone is missing from her life after receiving the news. The writer also describes the weather, a delicious new breath of rain was in the air, which also shows the gloominess in what Mrs Mallard is feeling. A little freedom as now she was living for herself instead of her husband and yet sadness as she lost someone she had loved.
2) She probably had not much freedom in her marriage, as evidence in the passage shown : "she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely." It shows the suppression of impulses or emotions that Mrs Mallard is feeling. My impressions of Mrs Mallard is that she is a very loving and faithful woman. She loves her husband dearly, which can be seen how she had cried for her husband : "wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms". My feelings for Mrs Mallard at the end of the text is that I am happy for her as she left in peace and joy after all these years that she was in pain because of her heart trouble, believing in the news that her husband has passed on thus her time is already up.
3) The conclusion of this story is ironic because Mrs Mallard husband is alive in the end, and Mrs Mallard was the one who had passed away after she wept for her so called husband's death she had believed in. The writer develops the story towards its ironic conclusion by saying Mrs Mallard died of heart disease, of joy that kills. Dying of heart disease isn't a great thing, so the writer probably meant that Mrs Mallard died of joy.
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 4
1) The tangerine symbolizes good luck for the chinese during Chinese New Year. Nick, who bought the bag of tangerines from the girl, was in a way helping and wishing the girl good luck because he wanted to help out the girl, probably to help her get something for herself to eat, to fill up her stomach. At that instance, it was the only way he could help her, by buying the bag of tangerines from her. Similarly, by buying the bag of tangerines, it was Nick's way to wish the girl good luck.
2) The writer gives his / her own opinions regarding the events happening in the story and thus, making it easier for us to imagine the actions and nature of the narrator's character. Similarly, the style of narration of the story is second-hand because it was not a first hand experience given by Nick himself.
3) The conflicts present in this extract are internal in which Nick has with himself. The conflicts were cause by Nick himself, probably because he grew up ruthlessly efficient, organized and prepared for the most of things that he would come across. However, there was something left suppressed, and it was pity that he could not feel for others around him. All these caused him the lost of many things, such as, his friends, closeness with his councillors, the closeness with his family and the closeness with his hall friends. The value of "pity" wasn't present in Nick himself, and thus this made him to not being able to connect with people which he eventually lost everyone. Through his experience back in Vietnam, he was able to display the value of "pity" by buying that bag of tangerines from the girl, to help her, because at that point of time, it was for the girl's well being and therefore, the internal conflict that he has with himself, is resolved in the end.
1) The tangerine symbolizes good luck for the chinese during Chinese New Year. Nick, who bought the bag of tangerines from the girl, was in a way helping and wishing the girl good luck because he wanted to help out the girl, probably to help her get something for herself to eat, to fill up her stomach. At that instance, it was the only way he could help her, by buying the bag of tangerines from her. Similarly, by buying the bag of tangerines, it was Nick's way to wish the girl good luck.
2) The writer gives his / her own opinions regarding the events happening in the story and thus, making it easier for us to imagine the actions and nature of the narrator's character. Similarly, the style of narration of the story is second-hand because it was not a first hand experience given by Nick himself.
3) The conflicts present in this extract are internal in which Nick has with himself. The conflicts were cause by Nick himself, probably because he grew up ruthlessly efficient, organized and prepared for the most of things that he would come across. However, there was something left suppressed, and it was pity that he could not feel for others around him. All these caused him the lost of many things, such as, his friends, closeness with his councillors, the closeness with his family and the closeness with his hall friends. The value of "pity" wasn't present in Nick himself, and thus this made him to not being able to connect with people which he eventually lost everyone. Through his experience back in Vietnam, he was able to display the value of "pity" by buying that bag of tangerines from the girl, to help her, because at that point of time, it was for the girl's well being and therefore, the internal conflict that he has with himself, is resolved in the end.
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 3
1) Although the fact that Vampires are traditionally known to be evil and cruel in nature, this text defers the point. Evidence shown from the text that the Vampire did not hurt the boy as, The vampire sat down slowly opposite him and, leaning forward, said gently, confidentially, "Don't be afraid. Just start the tape." This shows that the vampire had no intention of hurting the boy even though he had the opportunity to do so. Also, the vampire treats the boy with respect and don't order him around even though he could easily threaten the boy. As shown in the starting of the text that the vampire actually made normal conversations with the boy. Thus the vampire in this extract appears to be different.
2) The writer uses phrases and words such as "could not repress a gasp", "the boy shuddered", "stammer", "sweat running down the sides of his face", to show that the boy was becoming increasingly nervous and uneasy during the interview as compared to the starting of the text where the boy still spoke in confidence.
3) In the beginning of the text, the boy replies the vampire with much confidence and even told the vampire indirectly that the vampire needs him, thus his story had better be good. Evidence shown as, "Sometimes I interview as many as three or four people at night if i'm lucky. But it has to be a good story." However, as the interview progresses, the boy felt uneasy and afraid of the Vampire as shown in the text that the boy shuddered, sweat was running down the sides of his face and he also stammered, afraid to offend the Vampire in any way. This shows how the vampire takes control of the interview as it progresses.
1) Although the fact that Vampires are traditionally known to be evil and cruel in nature, this text defers the point. Evidence shown from the text that the Vampire did not hurt the boy as, The vampire sat down slowly opposite him and, leaning forward, said gently, confidentially, "Don't be afraid. Just start the tape." This shows that the vampire had no intention of hurting the boy even though he had the opportunity to do so. Also, the vampire treats the boy with respect and don't order him around even though he could easily threaten the boy. As shown in the starting of the text that the vampire actually made normal conversations with the boy. Thus the vampire in this extract appears to be different.
2) The writer uses phrases and words such as "could not repress a gasp", "the boy shuddered", "stammer", "sweat running down the sides of his face", to show that the boy was becoming increasingly nervous and uneasy during the interview as compared to the starting of the text where the boy still spoke in confidence.
3) In the beginning of the text, the boy replies the vampire with much confidence and even told the vampire indirectly that the vampire needs him, thus his story had better be good. Evidence shown as, "Sometimes I interview as many as three or four people at night if i'm lucky. But it has to be a good story." However, as the interview progresses, the boy felt uneasy and afraid of the Vampire as shown in the text that the boy shuddered, sweat was running down the sides of his face and he also stammered, afraid to offend the Vampire in any way. This shows how the vampire takes control of the interview as it progresses.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 2
1) The narrator's view is that they are very hard to comprehend, in a way, very hard to please. As shown in the passage, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand" and "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence". In the evidence as quoted, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand", it shows the narrator's displeasure of men in general, as she feels that if you want to fully understand them. Secondly, in the evidence quoted "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence", it shows that you will have to accept and put up anything that they give you. Therefore, she finds that men on a whole, is very hard to comprehend.
2) The internal conflicts that the narrator has within herself is that she finds that it is impossible to comprehend 'men'. She even mentions and gave a comparison on how long she took to try to figure out them. She uses "Sometimes, I feel I've spent my whole life trying to work out how to handle him". This is how she shows her displeasure towards men as she feels that no matter how much time she spends, she wont ever reach a point where she can 'comprehend' them. The external conflicts she has, is the ones she has with her ex-boyfriend. She got sick of the cycle, having to put up with things, doing the same mundane things over and over again every week. She just coldn't tolerate how things were going & eventually took the iniative to break up with him.
3) The narrator is feeling and showing her sorrow of how she really tries to comprehend men, but fails. Similarly, she uses the word "I" and this is first-person narration, the narrator focus alot on how we view the events of the story to show her displeasure towards men.
1) The narrator's view is that they are very hard to comprehend, in a way, very hard to please. As shown in the passage, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand" and "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence". In the evidence as quoted, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand", it shows the narrator's displeasure of men in general, as she feels that if you want to fully understand them. Secondly, in the evidence quoted "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence", it shows that you will have to accept and put up anything that they give you. Therefore, she finds that men on a whole, is very hard to comprehend.
2) The internal conflicts that the narrator has within herself is that she finds that it is impossible to comprehend 'men'. She even mentions and gave a comparison on how long she took to try to figure out them. She uses "Sometimes, I feel I've spent my whole life trying to work out how to handle him". This is how she shows her displeasure towards men as she feels that no matter how much time she spends, she wont ever reach a point where she can 'comprehend' them. The external conflicts she has, is the ones she has with her ex-boyfriend. She got sick of the cycle, having to put up with things, doing the same mundane things over and over again every week. She just coldn't tolerate how things were going & eventually took the iniative to break up with him.
3) The narrator is feeling and showing her sorrow of how she really tries to comprehend men, but fails. Similarly, she uses the word "I" and this is first-person narration, the narrator focus alot on how we view the events of the story to show her displeasure towards men.
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 1
1) My impression of the main character is that he is very suspicious and mysterious. He is desperately trying to hide from the police. Evidence as, "He would wait until the siren sounded far off, then he would go out." This shows that he is hiding from the police. Also, he is afraid to get caught with evidence shows as "when the siren sounded so near, he had no choice but to escape and hide under the manhole".
2) I feel that the writer is effective in creating and increasing anxiety in the story as well as the within the main character. He uses phrases such as "siren sounded so near", "prolonged scream of brakes and siren brokes off" which creates a feeling for the readers to have a sense of fear within the main character, wondering if the character would get apprehended and what would happen next.
3) The mood in the text is mystery and suspense because the character uses desperate measures such as hiding under the manhole to escape and hide from the police. The story does not show the reason why the main character is hiding from the police. The passage mention that "the siren sounded so near" and "Looming above his head in the rain, a white faced hovered over the hole." It shows that the reader might be hiding away from the police for some reasons. Therefore it shows that the mood of the text is mystery and suspense.
1) My impression of the main character is that he is very suspicious and mysterious. He is desperately trying to hide from the police. Evidence as, "He would wait until the siren sounded far off, then he would go out." This shows that he is hiding from the police. Also, he is afraid to get caught with evidence shows as "when the siren sounded so near, he had no choice but to escape and hide under the manhole".
2) I feel that the writer is effective in creating and increasing anxiety in the story as well as the within the main character. He uses phrases such as "siren sounded so near", "prolonged scream of brakes and siren brokes off" which creates a feeling for the readers to have a sense of fear within the main character, wondering if the character would get apprehended and what would happen next.
3) The mood in the text is mystery and suspense because the character uses desperate measures such as hiding under the manhole to escape and hide from the police. The story does not show the reason why the main character is hiding from the police. The passage mention that "the siren sounded so near" and "Looming above his head in the rain, a white faced hovered over the hole." It shows that the reader might be hiding away from the police for some reasons. Therefore it shows that the mood of the text is mystery and suspense.
Mining For Meaning
Poetry Exercise 2
1) The subject matter of this poem is how a couple is unable to produce baby boys instead, plenty of girls. With evidence as, "Already ringed by daughters, And no son, they keep trying". This shows that this couple is having an unlucky turn of events as no boy offsprings are produced which places the couple in a much stressful n annoyed position to be in.
2)The significants of "ringed by daughters" is trying to suggest that the couple is being surrounded by daughters, this shows that they are annoyed by it. "Contoured by choices" means that she only have limited choice of 'bearing or diapering', which shows that women have cannot be like men, in a way that men work till they are old, whereas most women have to stay at home to look after their child, a very sad and lonely way to pass on as stated, "And singleness is theirs".
3)I feel that the women in this poem is lonely and has a sad life, as the poem mention "And singleness is theirs, Again." From here I could tell that the women is lonely, even if their "man" is with them as this phrase uses "Again."
1) The subject matter of this poem is how a couple is unable to produce baby boys instead, plenty of girls. With evidence as, "Already ringed by daughters, And no son, they keep trying". This shows that this couple is having an unlucky turn of events as no boy offsprings are produced which places the couple in a much stressful n annoyed position to be in.
2)The significants of "ringed by daughters" is trying to suggest that the couple is being surrounded by daughters, this shows that they are annoyed by it. "Contoured by choices" means that she only have limited choice of 'bearing or diapering', which shows that women have cannot be like men, in a way that men work till they are old, whereas most women have to stay at home to look after their child, a very sad and lonely way to pass on as stated, "And singleness is theirs".
3)I feel that the women in this poem is lonely and has a sad life, as the poem mention "And singleness is theirs, Again." From here I could tell that the women is lonely, even if their "man" is with them as this phrase uses "Again."
Mining For Meaning.
Poetry Exercise 1
1) From my point of view, the poem is about the feelings of a father towards his son that is growing up and is leaving him. He talked about how his son Sean is drifting away from him. This is evident from the way he described it as “like a satalite wrenched from its orbit” this shows that Sean is getting further away from him as he grows up. The writer is unable to comprehend his feelings as his son grows up and goes through the different stages of life. Using words like “ebbing” and “selfhood” it shows that the writer is still trying to accept the fact that his beloved son is no longer the little boy that he used to be.
2) My impression of their relationship is that Sean is not as close to his father compared to the past. The writer expressed through the title "Walking Away" directing the poem at his son Sean. the poem talks about how Sean is "fading away" and has "loosened from its parent stem." it shows that Sean has distanced himself from the writer and he's feeling upset about how they ended up. thus my conclusion is that the relationship between Sean and the writer is a very distant one.
3)The poet is trying to express his feelings with evidence as, "setting free a grown bird away". He thinks that he has to let "Sean" go, as he's growing up. The mood of the poem is sad, because he has to let go of a "child" that hasn't completely grown up. Another evidence would be, "Selfhood begins with walking away". This shows that one will be independent when one leaves or departs from it's pillar of support.
1) From my point of view, the poem is about the feelings of a father towards his son that is growing up and is leaving him. He talked about how his son Sean is drifting away from him. This is evident from the way he described it as “like a satalite wrenched from its orbit” this shows that Sean is getting further away from him as he grows up. The writer is unable to comprehend his feelings as his son grows up and goes through the different stages of life. Using words like “ebbing” and “selfhood” it shows that the writer is still trying to accept the fact that his beloved son is no longer the little boy that he used to be.
2) My impression of their relationship is that Sean is not as close to his father compared to the past. The writer expressed through the title "Walking Away" directing the poem at his son Sean. the poem talks about how Sean is "fading away" and has "loosened from its parent stem." it shows that Sean has distanced himself from the writer and he's feeling upset about how they ended up. thus my conclusion is that the relationship between Sean and the writer is a very distant one.
3)The poet is trying to express his feelings with evidence as, "setting free a grown bird away". He thinks that he has to let "Sean" go, as he's growing up. The mood of the poem is sad, because he has to let go of a "child" that hasn't completely grown up. Another evidence would be, "Selfhood begins with walking away". This shows that one will be independent when one leaves or departs from it's pillar of support.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Island Voices Quotes.
~Paper
1) "That stupid Soo woman!" shrieked Yee Lian. "I think she deliberately led me astray with her advice! She's always jealous of me" Pg 6.
2) Tight-kipped and grim, the elderly woman made herbal medicines for Tay Soon. Pg 7.
~The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
1) She was mistress in the use of Christian martyrdom on the domestic front. Pg 10
2) "Don't give in to her, George! You must stand up to her, now or never. If you promise her now to stay in this room of hers, you'll never get out again." Pg 18
~Sundowner
1) As he passed the workers' quarters, there was the old familiar smell of woodsmoke and the sound of women's voices. Pg 19
2) The baby's head appeared larger than normal. Its eyes were permanently downcast. Das realized he was no expert on infants, but the child looked abnormal. Pg 23.
~Tanjong Rhu
1) "They're special glasses, big ones to help you see things faraway." Pg 31
2) "If something is to be done," she said with the loud solemnity which she reserved for the altar room, "it must be done properly. If I am to visit your place of work, I must tell your father of it properly." Pg 33
~Evening Under Frangipani
1) The bungalow all to themselves! A release from the claustrophobia of Singapore courtship, the lack of places away from the watching judging eyes of parents, friends and strangers. Pg 53
2) Their home was in a cul-de-sac lined with frangipani trees: their fragance sweet and cloying when in full blossom. Pg 53
~Lee
1) All he had was a rather smudged photograph to go by, showing a girl with long Janis Joplin hair framing her face, her smile wide and lopsided. Pg 85
2) "When I found Mom - in the pool - that's what I thought. A David Hockney print come to life." Pg 99
~A History Of Tea
1) The drive and teh-halia after make me feel better too. The strenght of tea. Pg 114
2) It is her hot and spicy cooking I crave for, not the steamed and healthier dishes that are Grandmother Tee's traditon. Pg 116
~A Dream Of China
1) "Whenever he sees anything particularly beautiful he says that's how it is in China. You mustn't believe all of it, you know!" Pg 124
2) "The Chinese are as bad as the Jews when it comes to making money!" Pg 127
~Release
1) When Eileen came back from the hospital with her baby, the first thing she noticed was that the fence was crooked. Pg 141.
2) She saw the man emerge from the shadows, wiping the spanner. Her heart froze. Pg 148.
~An Obituary For Fifth Aunt Come Late
1) She was my aunt but I didn't make it a point to be her niece. Pg 149
2) My aunt particularly liked to repeat her one-time employer's last words to her. Pg 157.
~Corridor
1) His wife also looks like a runner, skinny, all elbows and knees, but you can imagine her on the track. Pg 165
2) Our neighbours did the same, closed their windows and doors, bought air-con, stayed cocooned in their house as if they were plotting something diabolical and new. Pg 172
~Mid-Autumn
1) But like that waste money, very gek sim. Whenever I lose money, it makes gek sim- it hurts my hearts. Pg 176.
2) He has a Rolex and a Mercedes - but he still used the shaky stools from ten years ago. Pg 181.
~Hamid And The Hand Of Fate
1) Hamid was not qualified for such a job. He failed his Senior Cambridge in the Malay secondary school and he was embarrassed about his English. Pg 192.
2) When he came to, Hamid saw his mother seated by his side, the edges of her scarf mottled with tears. Pg 193
~The Move
1) "I mean, you could take some of the small ones, but those big potted palms and trees - I think you'd be blocking people's way." Pg 205
2) She could smell steam from Char Siew Bao and the occasional humid waft of Nasi Lemak coconut rice from the Malay stall. Pg 207
~Pastime
1) The sun shines in the sky and even from across the years, you can tell that this woman knows her mind, that she doesn't bow to injustice, doesn't fear tyranny or hardship. Pg 216
2) "You know this is just a story, a story to pass time. This isn't real life!" Pg 218
1) "That stupid Soo woman!" shrieked Yee Lian. "I think she deliberately led me astray with her advice! She's always jealous of me" Pg 6.
2) Tight-kipped and grim, the elderly woman made herbal medicines for Tay Soon. Pg 7.
~The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
1) She was mistress in the use of Christian martyrdom on the domestic front. Pg 10
2) "Don't give in to her, George! You must stand up to her, now or never. If you promise her now to stay in this room of hers, you'll never get out again." Pg 18
~Sundowner
1) As he passed the workers' quarters, there was the old familiar smell of woodsmoke and the sound of women's voices. Pg 19
2) The baby's head appeared larger than normal. Its eyes were permanently downcast. Das realized he was no expert on infants, but the child looked abnormal. Pg 23.
~Tanjong Rhu
1) "They're special glasses, big ones to help you see things faraway." Pg 31
2) "If something is to be done," she said with the loud solemnity which she reserved for the altar room, "it must be done properly. If I am to visit your place of work, I must tell your father of it properly." Pg 33
~Evening Under Frangipani
1) The bungalow all to themselves! A release from the claustrophobia of Singapore courtship, the lack of places away from the watching judging eyes of parents, friends and strangers. Pg 53
2) Their home was in a cul-de-sac lined with frangipani trees: their fragance sweet and cloying when in full blossom. Pg 53
~Lee
1) All he had was a rather smudged photograph to go by, showing a girl with long Janis Joplin hair framing her face, her smile wide and lopsided. Pg 85
2) "When I found Mom - in the pool - that's what I thought. A David Hockney print come to life." Pg 99
~A History Of Tea
1) The drive and teh-halia after make me feel better too. The strenght of tea. Pg 114
2) It is her hot and spicy cooking I crave for, not the steamed and healthier dishes that are Grandmother Tee's traditon. Pg 116
~A Dream Of China
1) "Whenever he sees anything particularly beautiful he says that's how it is in China. You mustn't believe all of it, you know!" Pg 124
2) "The Chinese are as bad as the Jews when it comes to making money!" Pg 127
~Release
1) When Eileen came back from the hospital with her baby, the first thing she noticed was that the fence was crooked. Pg 141.
2) She saw the man emerge from the shadows, wiping the spanner. Her heart froze. Pg 148.
~An Obituary For Fifth Aunt Come Late
1) She was my aunt but I didn't make it a point to be her niece. Pg 149
2) My aunt particularly liked to repeat her one-time employer's last words to her. Pg 157.
~Corridor
1) His wife also looks like a runner, skinny, all elbows and knees, but you can imagine her on the track. Pg 165
2) Our neighbours did the same, closed their windows and doors, bought air-con, stayed cocooned in their house as if they were plotting something diabolical and new. Pg 172
~Mid-Autumn
1) But like that waste money, very gek sim. Whenever I lose money, it makes gek sim- it hurts my hearts. Pg 176.
2) He has a Rolex and a Mercedes - but he still used the shaky stools from ten years ago. Pg 181.
~Hamid And The Hand Of Fate
1) Hamid was not qualified for such a job. He failed his Senior Cambridge in the Malay secondary school and he was embarrassed about his English. Pg 192.
2) When he came to, Hamid saw his mother seated by his side, the edges of her scarf mottled with tears. Pg 193
~The Move
1) "I mean, you could take some of the small ones, but those big potted palms and trees - I think you'd be blocking people's way." Pg 205
2) She could smell steam from Char Siew Bao and the occasional humid waft of Nasi Lemak coconut rice from the Malay stall. Pg 207
~Pastime
1) The sun shines in the sky and even from across the years, you can tell that this woman knows her mind, that she doesn't bow to injustice, doesn't fear tyranny or hardship. Pg 216
2) "You know this is just a story, a story to pass time. This isn't real life!" Pg 218
Questions 1 ~ 6 (Off Centre Guide Book Pg 91)
Q1: In your opinion, how key is the parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end?
A: Well, because of their high working status, Vinod's parents have little or no time at all to take care of him, yet alone to watch him grow up. Feeling left out, Vinod tries to seek attention of his parents by being the top student and even winning the best debater award. As any ordinary child, his/her only request is to be loved or to be spoilt by their parents but for Vinod's case, he neither received love nor care from his parents but only hardship. His bond with his parents get wider everytime he grows older and as a result of that his illness, depression could have surfaced. In my opinion, I think that his parent-child relationshop is not a key factor to Vinod's inevitable end but may be the cause of his suffering.
Q2: 'Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall.' To what extent do you agree with this analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy?
A: To a large extent, I agree that 'Vinod's high expectations of himself caaused his downfall'. When Vinod is around Saloma, his ego becomes bigger because firstly, he sees Saloma as a lost kitten that he has to protect and secondly, he wants himself and Saloma to always stay off-centred instead of being sane however in reverse psychology, he thinks that they are very centred, as sane as any other people. Vinod took care of Saloma eventhough in my opinion, he is just carrying this heavy burden to please himself, his ego. Not knowing that it is actually causing his depression to grow. Nearing the end of the book, Saloma told him that she wants to become a nurse, applied for her credit card, etc, it shows that Saloma was becoming more sane or normal which Vinod did not want, he wants Saloma to be by his side, being off-centred. However, he thinks that his job to look after Saloma was over, always thinking negatively, his depression finally consumed him thus Vinod committed suicide.
Q3: Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.
A: It can be clearly seen that Saloma's transformation was drastic, from a lost kitten(in Vinod's eyes) to a exquisite and impeccable character in the end. There are a few factors for Saloma's transformation, firstly, Vinod was always there for her and secondly, she has the determination to be sane. With Vinod by her side, Saloma vision about society had been widened. She sees that society was no longer a bad place and sees it as an oppurtunity to change and to live better, a lifestyle better than her current self. With help from Vinod, she became more bold and courageous by applying for a job in a hospital and applying for her first credit card. She was also able to share her thoughts and emotions to Vinod of what she was experiencing, making it easier to think about other possibilities of how life can improve for herself and Vinods'. She does have determination to change, to a sane lady to fit into society which esd completely different from Vinod. She took her medicine everyday instead of flushing it away and changes could be seen when she was less afraid of society. The fact that she wants to help and support her mother, played an important role in her transformation. She did not want to be a burden for her mother, she wants to provide money for her mother when she gets old or retire in the near future. Having said that, these are my reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.
Q4: "Though a minor role in the play, the character of Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre." To what extent do you agree with this assessment?
A: There are alot of speculations that Razali is a mere fraction or conscience of Vinod. I too think so as there are some scenes where both Razali and Vinod are very similar alike at times. To a certain extent, I believe that the character of Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre because he is someone who understands and care for both Saloma and Vinod, a fatherly-figure for both. Though Razali is a guard of the void deck, he shows care and concern to both Vinod and Saloma, teaching malay and giving advice to Vinod, while taking care of Saloma and once bought apok-apok(curry puffs) for Saloma, which reminded her of her real father, saying he'll buy some apok-apok for her when he returns, to Saloma, Razali was like a father to her. During Act 5 Scene 1, after the incident of the robbery, Vinod was furious towards Razali as he thought that Razali would come and rescue them but he did not. Razali said that he was just a guard of the void deck. When he said that, it let me thinks that he is not real and that he is truely a conscience of Vinod as HDB flats do not haf security guards. Because of that incident, Vinod's life began to change.
Q5: "Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyatta" means to "Give, Sympathise, Control". How did the major characters in the play exert control in their environment and/or their lives? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
A: For Vinod, he exerted control by trying to control Saloma's life while for Saloma, she controlled her life and did not allow her illness, schizophrenia to consume her.
Q6: Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
A: Peer Acceptance and Family Support are definitely vital to social status and mental well-being because, without these, life would be aimless and boring. Based on Vinod, he lacked on these factors thats why he committed suicide. His friends are not genuine, they only treated him as a friend because they used Vinod and his brilliant essay papers. I say this because, his friends do not call him or even visit him when Vinod was in woodbridge, making him think that he was just been used by them. Vinod's parents also played a role because they were not there for Vinod when he need them the most. Vinod thinks that society is a bad place and a torture compared to Saloma who thinks that society is a place where they can be better.
A: Well, because of their high working status, Vinod's parents have little or no time at all to take care of him, yet alone to watch him grow up. Feeling left out, Vinod tries to seek attention of his parents by being the top student and even winning the best debater award. As any ordinary child, his/her only request is to be loved or to be spoilt by their parents but for Vinod's case, he neither received love nor care from his parents but only hardship. His bond with his parents get wider everytime he grows older and as a result of that his illness, depression could have surfaced. In my opinion, I think that his parent-child relationshop is not a key factor to Vinod's inevitable end but may be the cause of his suffering.
Q2: 'Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall.' To what extent do you agree with this analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy?
A: To a large extent, I agree that 'Vinod's high expectations of himself caaused his downfall'. When Vinod is around Saloma, his ego becomes bigger because firstly, he sees Saloma as a lost kitten that he has to protect and secondly, he wants himself and Saloma to always stay off-centred instead of being sane however in reverse psychology, he thinks that they are very centred, as sane as any other people. Vinod took care of Saloma eventhough in my opinion, he is just carrying this heavy burden to please himself, his ego. Not knowing that it is actually causing his depression to grow. Nearing the end of the book, Saloma told him that she wants to become a nurse, applied for her credit card, etc, it shows that Saloma was becoming more sane or normal which Vinod did not want, he wants Saloma to be by his side, being off-centred. However, he thinks that his job to look after Saloma was over, always thinking negatively, his depression finally consumed him thus Vinod committed suicide.
Q3: Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.
A: It can be clearly seen that Saloma's transformation was drastic, from a lost kitten(in Vinod's eyes) to a exquisite and impeccable character in the end. There are a few factors for Saloma's transformation, firstly, Vinod was always there for her and secondly, she has the determination to be sane. With Vinod by her side, Saloma vision about society had been widened. She sees that society was no longer a bad place and sees it as an oppurtunity to change and to live better, a lifestyle better than her current self. With help from Vinod, she became more bold and courageous by applying for a job in a hospital and applying for her first credit card. She was also able to share her thoughts and emotions to Vinod of what she was experiencing, making it easier to think about other possibilities of how life can improve for herself and Vinods'. She does have determination to change, to a sane lady to fit into society which esd completely different from Vinod. She took her medicine everyday instead of flushing it away and changes could be seen when she was less afraid of society. The fact that she wants to help and support her mother, played an important role in her transformation. She did not want to be a burden for her mother, she wants to provide money for her mother when she gets old or retire in the near future. Having said that, these are my reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.
Q4: "Though a minor role in the play, the character of Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre." To what extent do you agree with this assessment?
A: There are alot of speculations that Razali is a mere fraction or conscience of Vinod. I too think so as there are some scenes where both Razali and Vinod are very similar alike at times. To a certain extent, I believe that the character of Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre because he is someone who understands and care for both Saloma and Vinod, a fatherly-figure for both. Though Razali is a guard of the void deck, he shows care and concern to both Vinod and Saloma, teaching malay and giving advice to Vinod, while taking care of Saloma and once bought apok-apok(curry puffs) for Saloma, which reminded her of her real father, saying he'll buy some apok-apok for her when he returns, to Saloma, Razali was like a father to her. During Act 5 Scene 1, after the incident of the robbery, Vinod was furious towards Razali as he thought that Razali would come and rescue them but he did not. Razali said that he was just a guard of the void deck. When he said that, it let me thinks that he is not real and that he is truely a conscience of Vinod as HDB flats do not haf security guards. Because of that incident, Vinod's life began to change.
Q5: "Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyatta" means to "Give, Sympathise, Control". How did the major characters in the play exert control in their environment and/or their lives? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
A: For Vinod, he exerted control by trying to control Saloma's life while for Saloma, she controlled her life and did not allow her illness, schizophrenia to consume her.
Q6: Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
A: Peer Acceptance and Family Support are definitely vital to social status and mental well-being because, without these, life would be aimless and boring. Based on Vinod, he lacked on these factors thats why he committed suicide. His friends are not genuine, they only treated him as a friend because they used Vinod and his brilliant essay papers. I say this because, his friends do not call him or even visit him when Vinod was in woodbridge, making him think that he was just been used by them. Vinod's parents also played a role because they were not there for Vinod when he need them the most. Vinod thinks that society is a bad place and a torture compared to Saloma who thinks that society is a place where they can be better.
5 Memorable Quotes. ( Off Centre )
Quotes :
1) My shoulders will be ver big, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
~Act 1 Scene 3, Pg 29.
2) I still have your essays the others always photostat.
~Act 2 Scene 1, Pg 44.
3) They are jealous... because I am special.
~Act 2 Scene 2, Pg 54.
4) Your mind is very pure Saloma. Very pure.
~Act 2 Scene 2, Pg 56
5) Vinod: You are the guardian!
Razali: I am the guard! [soft] I am the guard at the void deck.
~Act 5 Scene 1, Pg 113
1) My shoulders will be ver big, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
~Act 1 Scene 3, Pg 29.
2) I still have your essays the others always photostat.
~Act 2 Scene 1, Pg 44.
3) They are jealous... because I am special.
~Act 2 Scene 2, Pg 54.
4) Your mind is very pure Saloma. Very pure.
~Act 2 Scene 2, Pg 56
5) Vinod: You are the guardian!
Razali: I am the guard! [soft] I am the guard at the void deck.
~Act 5 Scene 1, Pg 113
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Page 23 - 24; Q 1 - 4
Q1. "However, China had nothing to say to my spirit, if indeed land speaks to spirit. My spirit was as alien here as I was. It 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 fonts 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?
A: I think the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt. When he mentioned 'my spirit was as alien here as I was', he can no longer treat China like his 'diamond city' as he has left there since young. And now, he feels much more closer to Singapore and he does treat it as a 'diamond city' without fail. My feelings towards Singapore would probably be described as fascinated for there are many unexpected things happening in our everyday life, regardless of whether we are students or working adults.
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 ones..... I kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with suck relish."Why do you think her uncle behaves in this manner? Do you feel sorry for him or do you regard him with distaste, as his niece does?
A: In my opinion, I think her uncle behaves this way because he was required to do all the hard work when he returned to China and suffer all the hardship that took place, but not her father. He found it unfair for himself, and he starts to demand more and more from his brother to recoup his losses in the early days. I do not feel sorry for him at all for it was his job to take charge of the situation and he has no one to blame, but himself. He could have chosen to stay in Singapore and not return, but he did not. I do regard him with distaste for he fails to look up to his own mistakes but blame others.
3. "I returned to Singapore alienated from the china I saw, but no less eager to listen to my father's stories of the most beautiful lands."Do you find this contradiction? Why or why not?A: Yes, I find it contradicting. She did not find what her father said and what she saw any bit that's similar, but she is still willing to find out more about what her father thinks of China in his own heart without knowing that China has changed so much so that it's no longer the China he knew. She used beautiful land for she believes that her father stopped at that point of time that China was still a piece of beautiful and perfect land for her father to stay in.
4. "A country is only as good as its men. My father is a good man.... whichever country can clain him as its 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 its own?
A: 'A country is only as good as its men.' I believe that the narrator means that whatever the men believes the country is, as long as he has confidence in the country, the country will be what the men believes. To a large extent I would agree her father is a good man. When he had to send more money to his brother in china, he did not grumble or complain a single thing to anyone. He might feel annoyed by his brother's act, but he did not express it out, for he believed that his brother is still wonderful deep down in his heart. Thus he did not want to spoil his image in front of other people. In my opinion, Singapore should claim him for its own. It's only fair for him to enjoy his life in Singapore but not return to China to work hard again to support his brother
Q1. "However, China had nothing to say to my spirit, if indeed land speaks to spirit. My spirit was as alien here as I was. It 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 fonts 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?
A: I think the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt. When he mentioned 'my spirit was as alien here as I was', he can no longer treat China like his 'diamond city' as he has left there since young. And now, he feels much more closer to Singapore and he does treat it as a 'diamond city' without fail. My feelings towards Singapore would probably be described as fascinated for there are many unexpected things happening in our everyday life, regardless of whether we are students or working adults.
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 ones..... I kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with suck relish."Why do you think her uncle behaves in this manner? Do you feel sorry for him or do you regard him with distaste, as his niece does?
A: In my opinion, I think her uncle behaves this way because he was required to do all the hard work when he returned to China and suffer all the hardship that took place, but not her father. He found it unfair for himself, and he starts to demand more and more from his brother to recoup his losses in the early days. I do not feel sorry for him at all for it was his job to take charge of the situation and he has no one to blame, but himself. He could have chosen to stay in Singapore and not return, but he did not. I do regard him with distaste for he fails to look up to his own mistakes but blame others.
3. "I returned to Singapore alienated from the china I saw, but no less eager to listen to my father's stories of the most beautiful lands."Do you find this contradiction? Why or why not?A: Yes, I find it contradicting. She did not find what her father said and what she saw any bit that's similar, but she is still willing to find out more about what her father thinks of China in his own heart without knowing that China has changed so much so that it's no longer the China he knew. She used beautiful land for she believes that her father stopped at that point of time that China was still a piece of beautiful and perfect land for her father to stay in.
4. "A country is only as good as its men. My father is a good man.... whichever country can clain him as its 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 its own?
A: 'A country is only as good as its men.' I believe that the narrator means that whatever the men believes the country is, as long as he has confidence in the country, the country will be what the men believes. To a large extent I would agree her father is a good man. When he had to send more money to his brother in china, he did not grumble or complain a single thing to anyone. He might feel annoyed by his brother's act, but he did not express it out, for he believed that his brother is still wonderful deep down in his heart. Thus he did not want to spoil his image in front of other people. In my opinion, Singapore should claim him for its own. It's only fair for him to enjoy his life in Singapore but not return to China to work hard again to support his brother
Page 13 - 14. Questions 1 - 4.
Q 1. Do the respective authors use these taditional Chinese rituals (eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper money and houses, lightinng of joss-sticks and praying to dead ancestors) just for irony or for more profound purposes? What are these purposes?
A : It is more for profound purposes as it is mainly practiced by Buddhists. For the story Tanjong Rhu, Madam Li often make her way to the ancestral room to 'communicate' or 'speak' to Mr Li's father, which have passed away. She did not go to the extent to drink eating paper dissolved in it, but she did commence the daily ritual of lighting up the joss-stick and praying to the dead. Therefore, these tradional practices are practiced by Madam Li for it's the only way she can communicate with people she have loved and died.
Q 2. Would you yourself, as a mordern young Singaporean, see the relevance of such cultural rituals as necessary still, or are a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking?
A : I personally think that it is alright to have such cultural rituals being practiced in my soceity as it is their traditional. It is not seen as a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking for it is not a sin to prcatice their own cultural rituals. Many may find it a trouble to do all this rituals but these simple rituals may have brought the family closer as they can have one more topic to talk on. Overtime, as the society progresses, this rituals may disappear as many youngsters do find it a hindrance. However, when the elderly practices these rituals, there are many disadvantages to it like creating a hindrance, to others, which may find them boring to carry out this practices everytime.
Q 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 likd old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more than a person, especially an elderly one, can want?
A : I do not think all elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world. Many of the elderly still do interact with their grandchildren when they have time and they still do catch up with the mordern times like these.However, some elderly still do carry traditional and out-dated thoughts in their mind which makes many think that elderly in Singapore at out of touch with the contemporary world. It may be quite difficult for a vitue to remain contended like old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more that a person can want. In modern times like this, many are not easily satisfacted. they demand more from their surroundings, thus it is far from easy for a virtue to remain contented.
Q 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?
A : Looking back at the past can be a good thing. Remembering all the good times he/she have spent with their family members or friends may aid one become more motivated to move on and find the happiness again in the future with his/her new friends. However, when looking back at the past changes from reminiscence to nostalgia, it may become a harm for the person may get a little too engrossed in it's past and do not want to move on. In the story, Mrs Li did look back to the extent that she could not differentiate the past from now, and it is a bad habit already.
Q 1. Do the respective authors use these taditional Chinese rituals (eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper money and houses, lightinng of joss-sticks and praying to dead ancestors) just for irony or for more profound purposes? What are these purposes?
A : It is more for profound purposes as it is mainly practiced by Buddhists. For the story Tanjong Rhu, Madam Li often make her way to the ancestral room to 'communicate' or 'speak' to Mr Li's father, which have passed away. She did not go to the extent to drink eating paper dissolved in it, but she did commence the daily ritual of lighting up the joss-stick and praying to the dead. Therefore, these tradional practices are practiced by Madam Li for it's the only way she can communicate with people she have loved and died.
Q 2. Would you yourself, as a mordern young Singaporean, see the relevance of such cultural rituals as necessary still, or are a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking?
A : I personally think that it is alright to have such cultural rituals being practiced in my soceity as it is their traditional. It is not seen as a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking for it is not a sin to prcatice their own cultural rituals. Many may find it a trouble to do all this rituals but these simple rituals may have brought the family closer as they can have one more topic to talk on. Overtime, as the society progresses, this rituals may disappear as many youngsters do find it a hindrance. However, when the elderly practices these rituals, there are many disadvantages to it like creating a hindrance, to others, which may find them boring to carry out this practices everytime.
Q 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 likd old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more than a person, especially an elderly one, can want?
A : I do not think all elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world. Many of the elderly still do interact with their grandchildren when they have time and they still do catch up with the mordern times like these.However, some elderly still do carry traditional and out-dated thoughts in their mind which makes many think that elderly in Singapore at out of touch with the contemporary world. It may be quite difficult for a vitue to remain contended like old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more that a person can want. In modern times like this, many are not easily satisfacted. they demand more from their surroundings, thus it is far from easy for a virtue to remain contented.
Q 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?
A : Looking back at the past can be a good thing. Remembering all the good times he/she have spent with their family members or friends may aid one become more motivated to move on and find the happiness again in the future with his/her new friends. However, when looking back at the past changes from reminiscence to nostalgia, it may become a harm for the person may get a little too engrossed in it's past and do not want to move on. In the story, Mrs Li did look back to the extent that she could not differentiate the past from now, and it is a bad habit already.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
.Choose 5 links and write comments of 50-100words about the content of the blogs.
-Julius
-Abdullah
-Edmund
-Benjamin
-Faris
.Choose two stories that reveal the thinking of an older generation ofSingaporeans: What new insights have you gained from such a revelation.
-In Corridor, The death of an unnamed man in the common corridor outside a flat causes the feeling of uneasiness to an old lady whose family is involved in a heated "argument" with her neighbour. She wished that she was there when the unnamed man died, so that man would not have died alone without any eyewitnesses. She remembers the community spirit that recalled about kampong life in the past, and during her childhood days, she saved her village from a thief who threatened its inhabitants. The conclusion discloses a sense of loss and despair as the past cannot be brought back and relived once again.
-In Tanjung Rhu, Ah Ma represents the older generation people who is a parent and grandmother herself . She keeps talking about the past and at the same time, it irritates Mr T.W. Li, her son. She has different perspectives of Tanjung Rhu. She thinks it as her memories or simply fragments of her past. Whereas her son sees it otherwise eg, when she follows her son to his work place she looked out the window through the binoculars. She sees her husband alive and well and Mr Li is still a boy playing by the sea but yet again, it was a fragment of her imagination and her past. We gain new insights about her by knowing about the past and those living around her.
-Julius
-Abdullah
-Edmund
-Benjamin
-Faris
.Choose two stories that reveal the thinking of an older generation ofSingaporeans: What new insights have you gained from such a revelation.
-In Corridor, The death of an unnamed man in the common corridor outside a flat causes the feeling of uneasiness to an old lady whose family is involved in a heated "argument" with her neighbour. She wished that she was there when the unnamed man died, so that man would not have died alone without any eyewitnesses. She remembers the community spirit that recalled about kampong life in the past, and during her childhood days, she saved her village from a thief who threatened its inhabitants. The conclusion discloses a sense of loss and despair as the past cannot be brought back and relived once again.
-In Tanjung Rhu, Ah Ma represents the older generation people who is a parent and grandmother herself . She keeps talking about the past and at the same time, it irritates Mr T.W. Li, her son. She has different perspectives of Tanjung Rhu. She thinks it as her memories or simply fragments of her past. Whereas her son sees it otherwise eg, when she follows her son to his work place she looked out the window through the binoculars. She sees her husband alive and well and Mr Li is still a boy playing by the sea but yet again, it was a fragment of her imagination and her past. We gain new insights about her by knowing about the past and those living around her.
How are Young people and their ideals presented in two stories in the collection? How far do you identify with these young people?
-Evening Under frangipani
At one level at touching love story that *bemoans the "barriers of pride that isolates each and every human being", the story also involves the racial prejudice that keeps two people apart from each other.
-Hamid and The Hand of Fate
The tale of Hamid whose life is changed forever by an accident which claims his right arm. A simple young man, Hamid decides to be patient and accepts his fate stoically. This decision does not prevent him from sensing that people around him are merely making use of him, hoping to get money from him.
-Evening Under frangipani
At one level at touching love story that *bemoans the "barriers of pride that isolates each and every human being", the story also involves the racial prejudice that keeps two people apart from each other.
-Hamid and The Hand of Fate
The tale of Hamid whose life is changed forever by an accident which claims his right arm. A simple young man, Hamid decides to be patient and accepts his fate stoically. This decision does not prevent him from sensing that people around him are merely making use of him, hoping to get money from him.
Select two stories in which there is conflict between parent and child and show how far there is some resolution of these differences at the end of the story.
-Mid Autumn
A mother's pain and confusion takes place when her daughter decides to leave Singapore to do charity work in Uganda. After obtaining her GP qualifications, the daughter decides that lifestyle with "mobile phones, golf weekends and memberships" hold very little for her, whereas her mother has undergone a life of privation to make these options available for her daughter and it does not seem that her daughter is thankful for it.
-Tanjong Rhu
A successful executive who, following the death of his mother laments that he has forgotten so much about his childhood life by the sea. His grief at her death is intermingles with regret that in the last months of her life he did not turn to her to remedy loss.
-Mid Autumn
A mother's pain and confusion takes place when her daughter decides to leave Singapore to do charity work in Uganda. After obtaining her GP qualifications, the daughter decides that lifestyle with "mobile phones, golf weekends and memberships" hold very little for her, whereas her mother has undergone a life of privation to make these options available for her daughter and it does not seem that her daughter is thankful for it.
-Tanjong Rhu
A successful executive who, following the death of his mother laments that he has forgotten so much about his childhood life by the sea. His grief at her death is intermingles with regret that in the last months of her life he did not turn to her to remedy loss.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
How is motherhood presented in any two or three stories in the collection?
-Evening Under Frangipani
Elaine's mother is introduced in the story when she invited Parkash for a meal. He refered that Elaine's mother was sarcastic and unfriendly to him. She wants Elaine to have someone better, someone capable to support Elaine and her family. She cares for Elaine when Parkash and Elaine broke up, this shows that Elaine's mother is sarcastic but also cares and only wants the best out of Elaine.
-The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
From the start of story,we can see that Helena is a mother that likes to control people judging by the way that she controls her husband. Her husband had died.Her next target was her own son.Helena would nurture in him a hypersensitiviy of conscience which bordered upon the pathological;she brought him up to believe that insult his mother's devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy.Far more securely than her husband,Aloysius had been,George was kept tied to Helena's side. As he gets older, George met his lover and they wanted to get married. On the other hand Helena has fakes illnesses, but Helena's old friend Doctor de Cruz took them seirously and told terrified George thatt his mother's heart was not strong as she did not want George to get married. She wants George to always be by her side as she is lonely and needs company.
-Evening Under Frangipani
Elaine's mother is introduced in the story when she invited Parkash for a meal. He refered that Elaine's mother was sarcastic and unfriendly to him. She wants Elaine to have someone better, someone capable to support Elaine and her family. She cares for Elaine when Parkash and Elaine broke up, this shows that Elaine's mother is sarcastic but also cares and only wants the best out of Elaine.
-The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
From the start of story,we can see that Helena is a mother that likes to control people judging by the way that she controls her husband. Her husband had died.Her next target was her own son.Helena would nurture in him a hypersensitiviy of conscience which bordered upon the pathological;she brought him up to believe that insult his mother's devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy.Far more securely than her husband,Aloysius had been,George was kept tied to Helena's side. As he gets older, George met his lover and they wanted to get married. On the other hand Helena has fakes illnesses, but Helena's old friend Doctor de Cruz took them seirously and told terrified George thatt his mother's heart was not strong as she did not want George to get married. She wants George to always be by her side as she is lonely and needs company.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Name : Danial Musa
Class : 4/4
Literature Holiday Homework.
Evening Under The Frangipani
Conflicts : (internal)
An internal conflict is that Prakash is unsure of himself and lacks the confidence before going for his job interview. He feels quite disheartened and stressed about whether he did well for his interview.
Conflicts : (external)
It is where Prakash went to Elaine’s house and met her mother. Elaine’s mother is crude and sarcastic towards Prakash. Prakash too, acted sarcastically towards her.
Climax
I think the climax of the story is when Prakash and Elaine broke up. And because of that, the story no longer focuses on the love between them but on separation and loneliness thus making it a major turn in the storyline.
Resolution
The story has an open ending. Prakash and Elaine went their separate ways instead of getting back together.
Characters
Prakash : He is physically fit (when he opened the pamelo, pg 56~57)
: Easily amused (laughed at Elaine’s father’s hands while kissing, pg 62)
Elaine : Easily Offended (did not like prakash’s joke, pg 62)
: Hardworking (determined to get promoted, pg 68)
Elaine’s mother : Sarcastic (during dinner with prakash, pg 59)
: Successful (she is a lawyer, pg 54)
In my opinion, the most interesting segment in the story is when Prakash and Elaine met at the park. It was Elaine’s intention to meet their as she wanted to tell Prakash something important, that her parents are going to Malaysia and they have the whole house to themselves. While doing so, Elaine was touched when Prakash took out a pamelo and uses his strong arms to rip it open.
Lee
Conflicts : (internal)
There is an internal conflict with the father in the story. He does not want Lee to have the dual loyalties but he also does not want his daughter to be unhappy so he allows Lee to go to an American School. (pg 101)
Conflicts : (external)
There is an external conflict between Lee and her father. The both of them have rather contradicting cultural views. Less is more supportive towards western culture while her father supports traditional Chinese culture. Lee’s father often tries to encourage his culture views on her but Lee would always refuse to accept it. (pg 102~103)
Climax
The climax of the story is when Lee went to the family reunion at her grandmothers flat. It allowed her to meet up with her family members and learn more about her culture. It was also a chance for her father to get feedback from his relatives about what he should do with his daughter’s education which would later decide which crowd she moved along with later in the story. (pg 100)
Resolution
I think the type of resolution for this story would be a revelation. At the end, both Lee and her father realize that they both have something in common. They were willing to accept each other’s cultural differences and views (pg 106~107)
Characters
Lee : Likes to use vulgar language (pg 90)
: Likes to criticize (calls the Merlion “Tacky”, pg 95)
Father : Easily Irritated (unhappy with the way Lee dresses, pg 97)
: Traditional (prefers to stick with his own culture, pg 103)
Lee’s grandma : Traditional (pg99)
: Concerned (afraid of what Lee might be eating, pg 100)
The most interesting segment of the story is when Lee went to her grandmother’s house for a family reunion. At the point of the story, a contrast is obvious between Lee and her other relatives in terms of culture. It shows how different she is from Singaporeans.
Release
Conflict : (internal)
The internal conflict in the story is between Eileen’s desire to complain to the neighbours and he natural habit to ignore the situation. The evidence of her neglect is on pg 144 where she “tried as hard as possible not to notice anything about her neighbours”. However the constant build-up of disturbances from her neighbours has force her to take actions like on pg 145 when she decided to call the SPCA.
Climax
I think the climax of the story is when Eileen finally decides to call for help from the SPCA and the police. This is the part of the story where things can become unpredictable. It allows the reader to wonder what will happen next as there are endless possibilities as to whether the Eileen will finally get what she wants or if the neighbours will continue to provoke the hostile relationship between them.
Resolution
The resolution of this story is rather open ended. The story ends when the man murders the puppies and Eileen starts panicking. It allows the reader to guess what kind of outcome will occur.
Characters
Eileen: Easily agitated (upset about the guava tree even though it was not hers pg 141)
: Good at mothering (takes care of her baby no matter what pg 143~144)
Philip : Easy-going (he always gives in to his neighbor pg 141~142)
: Gullible (easily convinced by simple blueprints pg 142~143)
Neighbours : They must have things their way (pg141)
: Impolite (compared Eileen’s pregnancy with their dogs pg 140)
I think the most interesting segment of the story is when the supposedly kind and gentle man killed the puppies; it was much unexpected because the man seemed very nice and he offered to help Eileen. He was also gentle with the baby which wiped out any possibility of violent in him. When the man murdered the puppies however, it prompted me to think that there was definitely something sinister about him.
An Obituary For Fifth Aunt Come Late
Conflict : (internal)
An internal conflict in the story is between the aunt’s temptation to learn how to read and her belief in the stigma that a dressmaker’s assistant could not be literate at that time. The evidence is on pg 155 where her grandfather held a law fiercely on the family that a dressmaker’s assistant should be allowed to read.
Conflict : (external)
An external conflict in this story is between the aunt and her father. When the aunt was sick during her childhood years, her father had apparently lost patience with her and did not feel it was right to spend the family fortunes trying to cure her when he should be spending it on his boys.
Climax
The climax happened when the Japanese forces invaded and occupied Singapore. It added more excitement to the story and helped to change the lives of the main characters in the story. (pg156)
Resolution
The resolution in this story is complete as the aunt has pretty much lived a full and fulfilling life despite some setbacks. At the end, she died peacefully, knowing that the life she lived is not quite fortunate compared to the lives of people today.
Characters
Aunt : Obedient (she always did the chores her parents assigned her, pg 152)
: Hardworking (she helps the author’s grandma by doing chores, pg 149)
Dressmaker : Kind-hearted (he told aunt not to go to work on realizing the soldier’s intentions, pg 158)
: Welcoming (offered tea to the Japanese occupiers’, pg 157)
Aunt’s Parents : Old Fashioned (they prefer to have son, pg151)
: Caring (sent aunt to another family for a better life, pg 153)
The most interesting segment in this story is when aunt joined another family. It is pretty much the start of a new life for aunt and a lot of unexpected things can happen from this point until the end of the story. It made me wonder whether aunt will finally be treated fairly or whether she will still be treated as she was with her old family.
A History Of Tea
Conflict : (internal)
An internal conflict in the story is when Beverly mentioned that she is going to China and is looking forward to it. This is despite the fact that she knows that most travelers find the food terrible and expensive. (pg 112)
Conflict : (external)
An external conflict in this story is the opium wars mentioned in the story. The Opium Wars broke out with the English ready to go to war for free trade against the Chinese government, who opposed the trade of opium for fear of their addictive and dangerous values. (pg 119~120)
Climax
I think the climax began when Beverly mentioned that she was going to tour Asia. It gave the author of the story something to think about his own heritage and how he has never a chance to explore beautiful Asia. (pg113)
Resolution
The resolution of the story is more of a revelation in my opinion. Nothing much happened in the end besides the fact that the conversation end.
Characters
Beverly : Smart (planned to study history at Oxford/Cambridge, pg 111)
: Understanding (understands her mother’s love for tea, pg 111)
Aunt Sherrie : Tea addict (pg 111)
: Religious (does not approve of Beverly’s Jewish Boyfriend, pg 119)
Grandmother : Religious (churchgoer, pg 117)
: Traditional (maintains Chinese traditions, pg 115)
The most interesting segment of this story is when Beverly talks about her Jewish Boyfriend and how her parents do not approve of her relationship with him. It surprises me that their religious views can be very narrow and made me curious about what Beverly will do about it.
Pastime
Conflict : (internal)
An internal conflict in this story is that the story which Tai Poh claims that is not true, might be true. It could be that does not want to tell Mr Lee the truth because he is too shy to talk about his past, so he tries to portray it as fiction. (pg 214)
Conflict : (external)
An external conflict was the story about Tai Poh, the one about a young man who decides to fight in the jungle. (pg 213)
Climax
I think the climax of the story is when Mr Lee decides to tell his own little story about a security guard which might also reflect on Tai Poh’s life. It adds more suspense to the story from this point onwards.
Resolution
The resolution in the story is a revelation. Nothing much happens other than the conversation ending, but, it has made both of them realize certain things about their lives and that some things are best kept as stories.
Characters
Tai Poh : Creative (likes to make up stories to past the time, pg 212)
: Shy (never shares his stories, pg 212)
Mr Lee : Attentive (listens to Tai Poh’s story attentively, pg 216)
: Creative (makes up his own story after hearing Tai Poh’s, pg 217)
Man mentioned in Tai Poh’s story : Ambitious (full of dreams, pg 213)
: Reckless (joined a fighter group when he was young)
I think the most interesting segment of this story is when Mr Lee decided to tell Tai Poh his own story. This made the reader more interested in the story and made me wonder what Mr Lee was intending to hint at Tai Poh.
Class : 4/4
Literature Holiday Homework.
Evening Under The Frangipani
Conflicts : (internal)
An internal conflict is that Prakash is unsure of himself and lacks the confidence before going for his job interview. He feels quite disheartened and stressed about whether he did well for his interview.
Conflicts : (external)
It is where Prakash went to Elaine’s house and met her mother. Elaine’s mother is crude and sarcastic towards Prakash. Prakash too, acted sarcastically towards her.
Climax
I think the climax of the story is when Prakash and Elaine broke up. And because of that, the story no longer focuses on the love between them but on separation and loneliness thus making it a major turn in the storyline.
Resolution
The story has an open ending. Prakash and Elaine went their separate ways instead of getting back together.
Characters
Prakash : He is physically fit (when he opened the pamelo, pg 56~57)
: Easily amused (laughed at Elaine’s father’s hands while kissing, pg 62)
Elaine : Easily Offended (did not like prakash’s joke, pg 62)
: Hardworking (determined to get promoted, pg 68)
Elaine’s mother : Sarcastic (during dinner with prakash, pg 59)
: Successful (she is a lawyer, pg 54)
In my opinion, the most interesting segment in the story is when Prakash and Elaine met at the park. It was Elaine’s intention to meet their as she wanted to tell Prakash something important, that her parents are going to Malaysia and they have the whole house to themselves. While doing so, Elaine was touched when Prakash took out a pamelo and uses his strong arms to rip it open.
Lee
Conflicts : (internal)
There is an internal conflict with the father in the story. He does not want Lee to have the dual loyalties but he also does not want his daughter to be unhappy so he allows Lee to go to an American School. (pg 101)
Conflicts : (external)
There is an external conflict between Lee and her father. The both of them have rather contradicting cultural views. Less is more supportive towards western culture while her father supports traditional Chinese culture. Lee’s father often tries to encourage his culture views on her but Lee would always refuse to accept it. (pg 102~103)
Climax
The climax of the story is when Lee went to the family reunion at her grandmothers flat. It allowed her to meet up with her family members and learn more about her culture. It was also a chance for her father to get feedback from his relatives about what he should do with his daughter’s education which would later decide which crowd she moved along with later in the story. (pg 100)
Resolution
I think the type of resolution for this story would be a revelation. At the end, both Lee and her father realize that they both have something in common. They were willing to accept each other’s cultural differences and views (pg 106~107)
Characters
Lee : Likes to use vulgar language (pg 90)
: Likes to criticize (calls the Merlion “Tacky”, pg 95)
Father : Easily Irritated (unhappy with the way Lee dresses, pg 97)
: Traditional (prefers to stick with his own culture, pg 103)
Lee’s grandma : Traditional (pg99)
: Concerned (afraid of what Lee might be eating, pg 100)
The most interesting segment of the story is when Lee went to her grandmother’s house for a family reunion. At the point of the story, a contrast is obvious between Lee and her other relatives in terms of culture. It shows how different she is from Singaporeans.
Release
Conflict : (internal)
The internal conflict in the story is between Eileen’s desire to complain to the neighbours and he natural habit to ignore the situation. The evidence of her neglect is on pg 144 where she “tried as hard as possible not to notice anything about her neighbours”. However the constant build-up of disturbances from her neighbours has force her to take actions like on pg 145 when she decided to call the SPCA.
Climax
I think the climax of the story is when Eileen finally decides to call for help from the SPCA and the police. This is the part of the story where things can become unpredictable. It allows the reader to wonder what will happen next as there are endless possibilities as to whether the Eileen will finally get what she wants or if the neighbours will continue to provoke the hostile relationship between them.
Resolution
The resolution of this story is rather open ended. The story ends when the man murders the puppies and Eileen starts panicking. It allows the reader to guess what kind of outcome will occur.
Characters
Eileen: Easily agitated (upset about the guava tree even though it was not hers pg 141)
: Good at mothering (takes care of her baby no matter what pg 143~144)
Philip : Easy-going (he always gives in to his neighbor pg 141~142)
: Gullible (easily convinced by simple blueprints pg 142~143)
Neighbours : They must have things their way (pg141)
: Impolite (compared Eileen’s pregnancy with their dogs pg 140)
I think the most interesting segment of the story is when the supposedly kind and gentle man killed the puppies; it was much unexpected because the man seemed very nice and he offered to help Eileen. He was also gentle with the baby which wiped out any possibility of violent in him. When the man murdered the puppies however, it prompted me to think that there was definitely something sinister about him.
An Obituary For Fifth Aunt Come Late
Conflict : (internal)
An internal conflict in the story is between the aunt’s temptation to learn how to read and her belief in the stigma that a dressmaker’s assistant could not be literate at that time. The evidence is on pg 155 where her grandfather held a law fiercely on the family that a dressmaker’s assistant should be allowed to read.
Conflict : (external)
An external conflict in this story is between the aunt and her father. When the aunt was sick during her childhood years, her father had apparently lost patience with her and did not feel it was right to spend the family fortunes trying to cure her when he should be spending it on his boys.
Climax
The climax happened when the Japanese forces invaded and occupied Singapore. It added more excitement to the story and helped to change the lives of the main characters in the story. (pg156)
Resolution
The resolution in this story is complete as the aunt has pretty much lived a full and fulfilling life despite some setbacks. At the end, she died peacefully, knowing that the life she lived is not quite fortunate compared to the lives of people today.
Characters
Aunt : Obedient (she always did the chores her parents assigned her, pg 152)
: Hardworking (she helps the author’s grandma by doing chores, pg 149)
Dressmaker : Kind-hearted (he told aunt not to go to work on realizing the soldier’s intentions, pg 158)
: Welcoming (offered tea to the Japanese occupiers’, pg 157)
Aunt’s Parents : Old Fashioned (they prefer to have son, pg151)
: Caring (sent aunt to another family for a better life, pg 153)
The most interesting segment in this story is when aunt joined another family. It is pretty much the start of a new life for aunt and a lot of unexpected things can happen from this point until the end of the story. It made me wonder whether aunt will finally be treated fairly or whether she will still be treated as she was with her old family.
A History Of Tea
Conflict : (internal)
An internal conflict in the story is when Beverly mentioned that she is going to China and is looking forward to it. This is despite the fact that she knows that most travelers find the food terrible and expensive. (pg 112)
Conflict : (external)
An external conflict in this story is the opium wars mentioned in the story. The Opium Wars broke out with the English ready to go to war for free trade against the Chinese government, who opposed the trade of opium for fear of their addictive and dangerous values. (pg 119~120)
Climax
I think the climax began when Beverly mentioned that she was going to tour Asia. It gave the author of the story something to think about his own heritage and how he has never a chance to explore beautiful Asia. (pg113)
Resolution
The resolution of the story is more of a revelation in my opinion. Nothing much happened in the end besides the fact that the conversation end.
Characters
Beverly : Smart (planned to study history at Oxford/Cambridge, pg 111)
: Understanding (understands her mother’s love for tea, pg 111)
Aunt Sherrie : Tea addict (pg 111)
: Religious (does not approve of Beverly’s Jewish Boyfriend, pg 119)
Grandmother : Religious (churchgoer, pg 117)
: Traditional (maintains Chinese traditions, pg 115)
The most interesting segment of this story is when Beverly talks about her Jewish Boyfriend and how her parents do not approve of her relationship with him. It surprises me that their religious views can be very narrow and made me curious about what Beverly will do about it.
Pastime
Conflict : (internal)
An internal conflict in this story is that the story which Tai Poh claims that is not true, might be true. It could be that does not want to tell Mr Lee the truth because he is too shy to talk about his past, so he tries to portray it as fiction. (pg 214)
Conflict : (external)
An external conflict was the story about Tai Poh, the one about a young man who decides to fight in the jungle. (pg 213)
Climax
I think the climax of the story is when Mr Lee decides to tell his own little story about a security guard which might also reflect on Tai Poh’s life. It adds more suspense to the story from this point onwards.
Resolution
The resolution in the story is a revelation. Nothing much happens other than the conversation ending, but, it has made both of them realize certain things about their lives and that some things are best kept as stories.
Characters
Tai Poh : Creative (likes to make up stories to past the time, pg 212)
: Shy (never shares his stories, pg 212)
Mr Lee : Attentive (listens to Tai Poh’s story attentively, pg 216)
: Creative (makes up his own story after hearing Tai Poh’s, pg 217)
Man mentioned in Tai Poh’s story : Ambitious (full of dreams, pg 213)
: Reckless (joined a fighter group when he was young)
I think the most interesting segment of this story is when Mr Lee decided to tell Tai Poh his own story. This made the reader more interested in the story and made me wonder what Mr Lee was intending to hint at Tai Poh.
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