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.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
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?
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.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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