QUOTES OFF-CENTRE

1)" They are jealous because I am special." Act two scene two, pg 55

 2)" I am strong and nothing can destroy me." Act one scene three, pg 76.

3)"Your mind is very pure Saloma. Very pure." Act two Sscene two , pg 56

4)"Everything is so void. Who are we trying to avoid?" Act two scene three, pg 63

5)"Things are not the same. Things can never be the same. No one is ever going to let me forget." Act two scene one, pg 50

6 QUETIONS OF OFF-CENTRE

Q1: In your opinion, how key is the parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end?

In my opinion, the parent-child relationship is one of the factor that contributes to Vinod's inevitable end. He used to had a dilemma about his parents. He can't deny that he is angry with them as they only thinks about his studies and achievements. Although he is angry with them, he tries to feebly to excuse them for their behaviour and tries to explain to Saloma and even to himself that maybe it is just that they are different from him. What Vinod is wanting for is love, care and concern. he needs physical sense of love. But due to high position, his parents are normal to proper and distant relationships whish increases his desire to warmth and love. He gets frustrated and angrier when he tried to talk to them as he's unable to receive what he easily wants from them. In Vinod's state, he's derived from love and care and with the relationship he's sharing with his parents, it makes him confused and unsure about the true meaning of care. With weak foundation of family bond, it lead to his fall. 

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?

I agree to a high extend with this analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy. Vinod have firslty built a strong relationship with Saloma. H managed to get to know more about Saloma and get close to her. He seems determined to help Saloma. He did help Saloma. Saloma changed to become someone better. But, Vinod's presumptuous air of superiority pushes him to reject Saloma whenshe becomes stronger than him. Instead of being happy for Saloma when she finally makes progress to be reintegrated into society, Vinod becomes unhappy, even distraught. He intend to provide her with care, love and concern and security. But seems like he couldn't accept it that now Saloma doesn't need it anymore. Instead of taking Saloma as an example for himself to change for the better, he reminds her acidly that she was the one who rejected the world in the first place and advised her that she cannot live like other people because she is not normal to begin with. Vinod is totally being unreasonable. In the first place, vinod is the one who tells himself that he has to protect her but ironically it is this need to protect her that gives him strength. He have also confidently stopped his medication knowing its effects. He thinks topo highly of himself he treats Saloma's weakness to give him strength. When Saloma is strong now, he can't accept the fact that he is eak and took the decision to commit suicide.

Q3: Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.

Saloma had made a huge transformation. Saloma changes from a shy girl to someone who survives her mental illness. After her transformation, she is able to voice out with her desire to live. One of the reason that caused her transformation is when she meets Emily at the halfway house. Eventhough she starts out using the Mantra Emily taight, she does turn out to be stronger than Vinod. What pushes saloma to face the real world is the bird in her room. The bird could not be helped by Saloma, just as how Saloma's grit to survive has to come from within. Like the bird who cannot take proper flight, Saloma is unable to fit in and be part of the world dominated by the normal, centred majority who judge others like her with her mental illness. To saloma, the house is a dilemma and a conflict just like the bird's cage. It provides safety and protection. However, it is also a place of imprisonment. Saloma's anger at the bird endangering its life bye leaving its cage prompts her hunger to go out, even if it is without Vinod. This is Saloma's second turning point as before this, she does not know what to do or where to go. Mak's advice to keep think about God have also made Saloma accept it.

Q4: "Though a minor role in the play, the character Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre." To what extent do you agree with this assessment?

I agree to this assessment to a huge extent. razali is a security guard at the void deck. He starts to build a relationship with Vinod and Saloma, primarily because the void deck where the two protagonists meet os also Razali's place of workd. Razali refers to Saloma as a father and daughter relationship.  However Saloma's affection seems to run deeper almost as though he is indeed her father. His action in buying her curry puffs is by surreal twist exactly like what her deceased father promised her in her dream and connects Razali and her real father. Another plot is between Razali and Vinod. To Vinod, Razali is their guardian angel as well as their father. However Razali himself is actualy just doing his jov as a security guard. His role is made bigger through no fault of his. He never claims to be either 'father' or guardian to either of them. Indeed when Vinod accuses him of not being there during the robbery, his answer is an almost pleading and honest protest and defence of his role. This plots starts from the way Saloma and Vinod sees in Razali. They thinks too highly of Razali and blames him when he happends not to be who they thought he was.

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.

"Datta, Dayadvham, Damyata" does shows and reflect on the major character's actions. What Emily tell Saloma as the halfway house, that she will bring about peace, harmony and purity to every Singaporean. Instead of being crippled by the robbery, Vinod is urged by Emily to use it as a form of motivation and to help cleanse Singapore. Emily encourages Vinod to live on to do his part to change others because eventhough the majority do not understand the off-centre, they need their help. Emily who seems to be the only one who trascends above the various petty perspectives of society dies. Vinod ironically takes control by taking his own life, seizing back some semblance of power over his destiny.

Q6: Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
Peer acceptance is important because without it, it would reflect to them what the people at the outside world would look at them. With peer aceptance, they could feel warmth and be derived from the feeling of loneliness. Without peer acceptance, it would lead them to be emotionally affected. Family support is the main foundation that have to be build to give confidence and courage. Without the strong family support they might not be able to lead themself to anywhere. Take Vinod as an example, without acceptance of his old friends, Denise and Charlie, it gives him the idea that the society would also look down on him and would take an advantage of him. Vinod is also derived from family love, care and support. Without family support, it lead him to fall deeply into emotions.

QUOTES OF ISLAND VOICES

Paper

-"oh, we'll just leave her alone. i was kind enough to offer to help her make money, but since she's so nasty and ungrateful, we'll leave her alone." (page 5)

-"you'll leave everything to me! i shall give him the best! he wanted a beautiful house all his life, i shall give him a beautiful house now!" (page 8)

Martyrdom Of Helena Rodrigues

-"just in case you brought anyone home, dear." (page 11)

-"mother would be all alone at home, she doesn't go out in the evenings suppose she feels lonely?" (page 13)

Sundowner

-"you mean to say only the village midwife has seen your daughter?" (page 23)

-"i'll employ only healthy workers on the estate." (page 26)

Tanjong Rhu

-"see far glasses? what do i want to look at far away things for?" (page 31)

-"ah-ma, i saw 78 ships off Tanjong Rhu today." (page 46)

Evening Under Frangipani

-"i'm sorry, Prakash but elaine's really very busy at the moment." (page 64)

-"yes, mother-too strong." (page 84)

Lee

-"my country?" (page 86)

-"i don't believe in religion, i don't believe in god." (page 97)

History Of Tea

-"i hardly know anything about him,you know." (page 117)

-"a storm in a teacup." (page 119)

A Dream Of China

-"i didn't know he ever meant to go back to China." (page 128)

-"can you get me out of China?" (page 137)

Release

-"that blueprint didn't look like the one of their property." (page 143)

-"the dogs do really bother the baby don't they?" (page 147)

An Obituary For Fifth Aunt Come Late

-"i remember most clearly her hands that first day she was there in her mother's kitchen." (page 161)

-"i can't confirm that she wasn't good-looking or smart or careful." (page 161)

Corridor

-"mak one week won't kill them." (apge 170

-"there's something that i want." (page 182)

Mid-Autumn

-"i'm not a child i can take care of myself." (page 183)

-"you so ungrateful, don't want to stay in Singapore and take care of me." (page 182)

Hamid And The Hand Of Fate

-"i don't think so. she's very protective." (page 202)

-"i'm sorry to have been such a pain today." (page 203)

The Move

-"you are not taking those foostools!" (page 204)

-"no,no, keep, kepp!" (page 208)

Pastime

-"two years pass-he thinks he could forget everything and get used to his new life." (page 215)

-"for a long time he has tried to forget his past maybe he fears the past." (page 216)

 

Question For 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. 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 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.

In my opinion, it is suitable to describe Singapore as a diamond city. Singapore is so developed economically. Compared to china, Singapore has a high level of education. In the education system, it ensures that all young get an education and the government would support any family that have any difficulties. In this way, majority singaporeans are educated and thus there have high abilities to boost the economy. Many people from other countries have been wanting to work together with singapore and laso to study here. Singapore have also been the tourism board. Many tourists came to singapore as it have been upgrading its tourism progessively. For example the newly opened Integrated resort, which is a casino based vacation resort. This gives more opportunity to all the tourists to have some leisure time and stay in singapore. It would also make the tourists visit singapore frequently. From this, you can see that singapore is higly developed till people from other countries have been wanting to visit it. That is why singapore is referenced as the "diamond city".

An imagery that i would use to describe singapore is as vibrant as the fantasy world and as busy as the bumble bee.

2. "With great grandness, my uncle ordered orange drinks from the waiter. He criticized the glassess as dirty when the drinks arrived and insisted on new ones...i kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with such 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?

To me, the uncle is so grouchy. He doesn't even appreciate it when he were served with the glass of orange drink instead, he scolded the waiter and even asked a change of drink. He's also greedy and too thick-skin as he ordered more drinks although after he had criticized and scolded the waiter regarding the ornage drink. Through the uncle's action it would give a first impression to others how partly negative he is. In fact, in the first place, he could ask politely for a chnage of drink instead or criticizing and scolding the waiter.

" 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 of beautiful lands." Do you find this a contradiction? Why or Why not?

No i dont find this a contradiction as, its true that Singapore is far different from China now. That is why the author felt alienated when she returned to Singapore. The only china which is described as the most beautiful land is the old china which is often told by the father. The father kept thinking that China have not changed a bit and did not know that China have actually progressed and changed a lot. It is not the beatiful land which it is described by the father anymore.

"A country is only good as its men. My father is a god man.. whichever country can claim him as its own." What do you think the narrtor means by the first statement? To what aextent would you agree that her father is a good men? Give reasons for your answer. Which country, do you think, should claim him for its own?

Men is the one which brings up the name of the country. The country can't progress on its own. So, its the men who do all the work and to ensure that the country progress and whether it have a better economy or not. So that is what meant by the author that a country is only good as its men. I agreed that the father is a good men as he stays loyal to his own country and even thinks that it is still what it is. Although he didn't get to go to China all these years, he's still did not change his mindset about china at all. I think a country which have many people migrating to other countries should claim him as their own as he would give all his loyalty to them and give his best to the country.

Question:

Do the respective author 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?

my answer:

The respective authors use the traditional chinese rituals examples are, eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper money and lighting joss sticks and praying to dead ancestors are all for more profound purposes. The chinese believe that if they drank the drink which is mixed with the ashes of a prayer paper, it could cure all the diseases in the body and bring back health. They also believe that, by burning paper and house, it could be sent to the spirit of their family members in the netherworld. This sis to ensure that their family members would not suffer. By lighting joss sticks and praying to the dead, its a symbol of respect to their ancestors showing that they still concern and think of them.

Question 2:

Would you yourself, as 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?

To me, as a young modern singaporean, i see the relevance of such cultural rituals in my society as necessary still. A cultural practise is something that should never extinct. Thus, it have to be passed down from a generation to another generation. All of this is a part of cultural belief so, as we born as a chinese, we should have the responsibility to have the background knowledge of the culture and be the next to passed down to the next generation.

Question 2:

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 there is nothing more that a person especially an elderly one can want?

Yes, i think that elder singaporeans are out of touch with the contemporary world. The elder generation nowadays are unable to interact well with the new generation which arose a conflict and loose relationships. The elder generation are unable to make the new generation appreciate about their culture. They couldn't passed down anything about culture. That is why, if it were to asked around about culture, most teenagers would say that they don't know. In the contemporary world, it is so advanced and everything is about technology and money-making. Most of the teenagers have handphones, laptops, ipod and other gadgets that allow them to communicate and interact with other easily. But, the elderly, are not so good in all these as they come from the generation where all this does not exist and so, they don't find any need for all this. This is also one of the reason why the lack of understanding between one another occur. Both generation, the elder and the new generation have a different mindset. The elderly holds tightly on the issue of culture and religion. To them, its something which you should hold tightly and respect. But, to the generation, they don't care about upholding their culture pridely because, they are not given the idea of why they should by the elders. There are a lack of communication between both sides. Because the elder generation doesn't know about the advance technologies and gadgets, the new generation may find the elder generation as outdated and may not See the bond between them. They may get closer and can interact better with the elder generation if the elder generation know all this . The contemporary world may think that its such a hassle to teach the elder generations they may be slow in it and so, whatever that they do, the elderly may not understand and may not know. That is where the issue of children watching pornography websites, children hacking people's website, children doing unbenefitable things on the net are not realised by the parents at all. This are the reasons why there is s gap between the elderly and the new generation.

question 3:

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?

No, looking back at the past is not a good thing to me.By looking back at the past, it may let your emotions get hold of you and you may get sad. It may give you negative effects for cases like nolstagia. By looking back at the past, you may be craving to get back there at that place, at athat moment, but as we all know, time cannot be turned back. It can become a negative habit when we invite others whoa re they with you at that moment. But due to a long period of time, it can't be remembered, and it would made you upset. It may also affect the mental state when a person remembered something unpleasant.

Miiraa :D

Choose two stories that reveal the thinking of an older generation of Singaporeans. What new insights have you gained from such a revelation.

A DREAM OF CHINA
In the story a dream of china, in the father's perspectives, the life in Singapore is pretty mundane. He tried to live as he felt a true Chinese would. the father could see only one thing wrong with Singapore, but that one thing summed up everything else. Singapore was not China. To him, the younger generations in singapore could only read and write beautifully in chinese but were weird when it comes to conversation. The older generations aren't proud with the younger generations in singapore and are ashamed of it.
LEE
In the story lee, in the father's perspectives, he uphold the culture of singaporeans highly. He finds it something to be proud of. To him if you're a chinese for example, its an honour for you to acknowledge and appreciate it. He doesn't like it when the younger generations nowadays are too ignorant about their culture. He has a thought that the younger generations nowadays, usually takes things for granted and doesn't show the interest in their own culture. They reacted as if they are forced to learn about it but in actual fact, its something which they have to be proud of.

How is motherhood presented in any two or three stories in the collection?

Mid-autumn

In the story mid-autumn, it shows a mother's pain and confusion when her daughter decides to leave Singapore to be a social worker in Uganda. Having obtained her GP qualifications, the daughter decides that a lifestyle characterized by "mobile phones, golf weekends and club membership in Langkawi" holds little appeal for her, whereas the mother had undergone a life of privation to make these options available for her daughter. From here you have observed that the mother has sacrificed her time and has gone through hardship for her daughter. She even went to the extend of giving her daughter a better life eventhough she was the breadwinner of the family. As a mother she wanted the best for her daughter. She doesn't want her daughter to go through the experiences that she faced. She was not given any support from anybody and she wants her daughter to know that unlike her, her daughter has her to rely on. She wants to provide financial support for her daughter to succeed in her studies and not regret her decisions, the way she did. She was not able to go to university due to the money issue so she wants to make sure her daughter has enough of everything. But, after all these years, her daughter didn't even intent to repay her kindness. When she have left for Uganda, she didn't realise that her mother was so worried and at the same time was waiting for her return. Thus, these shows the mother's concern and love towards her daughter.

Paper



In the story paper, it shows a mother's care and concern towards her son. Mother had been working hard all her life to support the family till there was no time to pursue her dreams. She made sarcastic remarks to express her feelings towards her son, Tay Soon. She doesn't want her son to be too ambitious and regret his decisions. Although her words may be harsh most of the time but, her intention was to advice him that luxury is not the most important thing in life. The mother doesn't like it when he keep boasting about his dreams as the mother knew that, a dream would always be a dream. Although the mother was harsh and too insensitive towards the son's feelings when advising him, still she cared for Tay Soon.The mother even took charged of the situation while Yee Lian, Tay Soon's wife, escaped from the situation and running away searching for help instead of being beside Tay Soon, comforting. The mother was the only one brewing and straining medicine for him for hours when Tay Soon fell ill. During Tay Soon's funeral, the mother even wanted to give the best for him. Eventhough, when Tay Soon was still alive, he does not even show any gratitude towards his mother at all. Thus, no matter what blood is still thicker than water.



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.

Lee

In the story Lee, it shows both internal and external conflict between the child, Lee, and her father. They had a strained relationship and was not in a good terms. In every conversation that they made, and argument would be created. Both father and daughter had different perspective on their own country, Singapore. Lee dislike the culture in Singapore which made her criticized everything about it but what made it worse was the fact that her father tried to change her drastically. She felt uneasy to adapt the lifestyle here in Singapore. But then, after Lee had started to adapt, another conflict between her and her father arose. Her father dislike her new friend, Holden Mankiewicz, an American, that have been hanging around their flats frequently. Whats more, his appearance was sloppy and her father saw him and her in his bedroom. They had a tiff. Although they often argued, Lee would always be the one who broached a reconciliation. The conflicts between them helped to tighten their kinship. Everytime conflicts occur, both Lee and her father don't usually bottle up thus it doesn't lead to a misunderstanding.

Tanjong Rhu


In the story tanjong rhu, most of the conflicts occur between Mr Li and his mother. The mother kept on emphasizing that although he could afford things, she does not need it. This upset Mr Li's feelings as he sincerely wants to help her see the world. At this point of time, she was too insensitive towards his feelings and despite his advice to undergo the operation, she refused. Out of concern, Mr Li bought binoculars for his mother but instead, his mother kind of chided him by asking whether she was able to see tanjong rhu with the help of the binoculars while tanjong rhu was far away from them. Mr Li forced his mother on the binoculars because he could not believe that she could not see the cargo ships when almost everyday, he counted them without the help of it. But then, when Mr Li finally realised and understood what his mother meant, everything was too late as his mother has passed on.


With reference to a suitable story, discuss how far change is shown to be either welcomed or feared.

Corridor

In the story corridor, it shows a sense of fear as a murder took place and caused drastic change. Before they went of for Jakarta, they were in bad terms with their neighbours because of some conflicts they had. The neighbours were unhappy with them and tried to make their lives difficult. This happened because of lack of understanding with one another. When they were in Jakarta, a murder took place which questioned and shocked everyone. Upon their arrival back in Singapore, they were welcomed and greeted by their neighbours. They were relieved by the neighbour's actions. Their neighbours started to be open with them and were friendly back to them. Although at the starting, they had a strained relationship, but i the end, they were able to overcome and settle those problems that occured. thus, were welcomed back.

how are young people and their ideas presented in 2 stories in the collection? How far do you identify with these young people?

In the story Lee, Lee who just came back from Los Angeles was too adapt there that she didn't bother of her own country, Singapore where she was born. She even criticized the culture practised here and are not even keen to adapt here. Although she's a chinese and have her own religion but she seems not keen to know more about it and also even to acknowledge it. She's quite ignorant and unappreciative.

While for in the story mid-autumn, the daughter, still went to Uganda and didnt even give a thought to her mother who have taken care of her all this while. She didn't even gave a thought how her mother's doing back in Singapore and whether her mother is missing her or not. She doesn't know that her mother was so worried about her. In this situation, she's being inconsiderate and is so ignorant.

(1) Story: Evening Under Frangipani


Conflicts
Internal : When Prakash was nervous during the job interview.
External : When Prakash said that Elaine’s father’s hands were like beetles and they argued.
Climax
When Prakash said that Elaine’s father’s hands were like beetles.
Resolution
Revelation- Elaine matures and was able to step out of the whole situation. She was able to overcome the challenges faced.


Characters


1) Prakash
He is competent. (he went through his army with pride, pg 48)
He is not materialistic. (of all places to meet, they chose to meet at the park, pg 50)
2) Elaine
She is casual. (through the way she dresses, pg 51)
She is caring. (never fails to cheer Prakash up, pg 53)
3) Elaine’s mother
She is judgemental. (she sees class difference, pg 59)
She is highly successful. (she is a successful lawyer, pg 54)



The most interesting segment is when Prakash came to Elaine’s house for dinner. During the dinner, it reveals the characteristics of each character in the story. For example, Elaine’s mother had baited Prakash when he spilled some soup on the white table cloth. Elaine’s mother was also sarcastic and unfriendly towards Prakash. It shows her dislike for him.



(2) Story: Lee


Conflicts
Internal : When the father feels jealous everytime Lee mentioned Alan.
External : When the father found Lee and Mankiewicz in his bedroom. He was boiling mad and they argued for some time.
Climax
When Lee’s mother drowned and died. Piscopo sent a letter to Lee’s father to reclaim her. Hence, Lee’s return.
Resolution
Revelation- She was lectured by her father and thus, it changed her mindset about things in life.


Characters


1) Lee
She is nonchalant. (accepted a hug from her father with a grudging nonchalance, pg 85)
She is vulgar. (often use vulgarities, pg 90)
2) Lee’s father
He is optimistic. (advised Lee to stop criticizing and start accepting things, pg 87)
He is religious. (he had a lot of Chinese books on Chinese culture and even tried to interest Lee, pg 102)
3) Lee’s mother
She is disloyal. (she left for California and never came back, pg 86)
She is a responsible mother. ( took care of her daughter all this while, pg 86)


The most interesting segment is when Lee received an advice from her father. During that time, it reveals the family bonding between them and helps to tighten their relationship. It gives them a chance to understand one another better. Both had different opinions and tried to understand things as they are.

(3) Story: A History Of Tea


Conflicts
Internal : Grandmother made up stories regarding the oil man and said that it was Raja.
External : Auntie Sherie suffered a lot as she was hated by grandmother.
Climax
When grandmother refused to ask Sherie to return back from England on her deathbed.
Resolution
Revelation- The author is able to step out of the situation to reflect on his experiences. The author and Beverly don’t know how the people ask for more tea. But Beverly promised to find out and write back. According to the both of them, Family is Family.


Characters


1) Grand
mother
She is unforgiving. (she refused to forgive Auntie Sherrie, pg 115)
She is mean. (she made storied that Uncle Raja is the oily man, pg 112)
2) The Author
He is casual. (he dresses casually compared to Beverly, pg 109)
He is vain. (he was so anxious about his pimples, pg 115)
3) Beverly
She is ignorant. (she never ever visited the house her mother grew in, pg 113)
She is courageous. ( she had plans to study history at Oxford, pg 117)


The most interesting segment is when the story of grandfather was told. Grandfather Chang’s death was complicated. He’s a thoughtful person as he didn’t run or hide because he knew that if he escapes, his family would be at risk. It also conveys the sufferings that grandfather Chang has to face.

(4) Story: Release


Conflicts
Internal : She was unable to sleep due to her baby’s cries and the dogs’ whines.
External : Eileen was not happy with her neighbour when she got to know her neighbour cut down the guava tree near the fence, separating the two houses.
Climax
When her new neighbours moved in to the house next door.
Resolution
Open ending – The issue is not resolved. In fact, it got worst. She still wasn’t able to sleep despite asking for help from others.


Characters


1) Eileen
She is friendly. (when her neighbours moved in, she went over just to say hi, pg 139)
She is forgetful. (she forgets to pick up her husband’s suit from the dry-cleaning, pg 140)
2) Philip
He is obedient. (listens to his wife when she told him to talk to the neighbours, pg 142)
He is hardworking. (was at work more than he was at home, pg 145)
3) Neighbour
(woman)
She is grumpy. (wasn’t friendly towards Eileen, pg 140)
She is unfriendly. (acted cold towards Eileen, pg 140)



The most interesting segment is when Eileen was woken up by her baby’s cries. The baby cried so hard that she seems to be having spasm. She called the SPCA and the police for help because the puppies kept whining and the baby continued crying. She was turned down. She waited for the man because he came to the kennel late the next night. The man agreed to move the puppies to another corner.

(5) Story: An Obituary For Fifth Aunt Come Late


Conflicts
Internal : The author remembered her aunt but it’s difficult to recall her.
External : There was a war, heads rolled.
Climax
When the aunt was given over. Her hands started to turn red that they dangle from her arms, from her loose sleeves.
Resolution
Revelation- The author remembered her aunt but wasn’t able to recall her. The author couldn’t be heard, so she didn’t try to think very much either.


Characters


1) Ah Kaw
She is clumsy. (fell off her stool as she shifted her weight wrongly, pg 148)
She is hardworking. (she cooked and washed, pg 149)
2) Ah Kaw’s mother
She is thrifty. (she doesn’t want to waste their sugar, pg 152)
She is caring. (she gave the sugar to her son because they need it for their school, pg 152)
3) The Author
She is observant. (she noticed some days her aunt was tall and some days, short, pg 149)
She is selfish. (didn’t make it a point to be a good niece, pg 149)


The most interesting segment is when Ah Kaw was given away. But soon returned. She had a big stomach under a flat sloping chest, her broad feet the only part of her left unbound. She had never lain with anyone. Her hands were so red that they dangle from her arms. She was a young, guileless-looking woman. She soon settled into being a person she’d be for the rest of her life.

(6) Story: Pastime


Conflicts
Internal : Tai Poh made up stories about anything just to past the time. The story was sad and sometimes it was happy, most of the time it was a mixture of both.
External : When Mr Lee mentioned that they are friends, Tai Poh frowned but after a while, nodded his head.
Climax
It started when Mr Lee urged Tai Poh to describe one of his stories.
Resolution
Open-ending- What Tai Poh told Mr Lee was just a story. It’s a hobby, a pastime. It’s not real life.


Characters


1) Tai Poh
He is observant. ( he noticed his surroundings, pg 213)
He is sensitive. (when Mr Lee mentioned about friends, he frowned, pg 217)
2) Mr Lee
He is friendly. (wanted to make friends with Tai Poh, pg 217)
He is rude. (interrupted Tai Poh with questions, pg 215)
3) A Man With Limp

He is courageous. (full of young man’s dreams, pg 213)
He is persistent. (he did not confessed no matter how harsh they treated him, pg 213)


The most interesting segment is when Tai Poh told Mr Lee about a story regarding the man with the limp. The man with the limp spends his life fighting in the jungle. He joined hen he was young and full of young man’s dreams. It shows how brave and courageous he was. Enduring all challenges he has to overcome.