ISLAND VOICES
Paper
"He wanted it , he dreamed of it , he hankered after it , as an addict after his opiate ." / Page 1
"It burned brilliantly , and in three minutes was a heap of ashes on the grave."/ Page 9
The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
"Don't give in to her Geroge! You must stand up to her now or never ." / Page 18
"She bought him up to believe that to insult his mother devotion to him was the ultimate blasphemy."/ Page 13
Sundowner
"No doctor , tuan , but the bidan says Tijah is all right ." / Page 23
"The British had gone , master-slave relationships over." / Page 20
Tanjong Rhu
"I know everything i need." / Page 30
"Suddenly , he was seized with a longing so sharp his eyes stung."/ Page 39
Evening Under Frangipani
"To Elaine Prakash had seemed a man of the earth , without artifice or pretension ." / Page 63
"He paused , not sure what to say." / Page 59
Lee
"Then you can shove it ! " / Page 98
"When i found Mom - in the pool - that's what i thought . A David Hockney print come to life ." / Page 99
A History of Tea
"A storm n the teacuo" / Page 119
"Uncle Raja was the oily man."
A Dream of China
"Without the human experience of your forefathers before you it is hard to build a strong future."/ Page 127
"China lay heavy on my father's conscience." / Page 125
Release
"She sat down , blinded by the scream that filled her mind." / Page 148
"Every night for a month she had been trying to catch whatever sleep."/ Page 143
An Orbtuary for Fifth Aunt Come Late
"She was my aunt but i didn't make it a point to be her niece."/ Page 149
"We don't have a photograph of her." / Page 161
Corridor
"Who said i wasn't happy at home ?" / Page 165
"You just stay in the hotel room the whole day."/ Page 164
Mid-Autumn
"Whenever i lose money , it makes me gek sim."/Page 176
"The soldiers hacked through doors , spraying splinters across the room ." / Page 177
Hamid and the Hand of Fate
"Felt like fleeing when anyone of them warmed up." / Page 197
"When he came to , Hamid saw his mother seated by his side , the edges of her scarf mottled with tears."/ Page 193
The Move
"Ma! You are not taking those footstools ! " / Page 204
She locked up the old flat for the last time." / Page 210
Past Time
"The system is too intricate." / Page
"You know this is just a story , a story to pass time." / Page 218
Thursday, July 1, 2010
OFF CENTRE
Memorable quotes :
Act one/Scene 3
"They laugh because we are mental patient , off centre."
Act two/Scene 1
"Johnson tells his family he;s not in whenever i call , i know"
Act two/Scene 2
"They are jealous because i am special."
Act two/Scene 2
"I am strong , nothing can destroy me."
Act four/Scene 1
"Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata. Give. Sympathise. Control."
Questions :
1. In your opinion , how keys is parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end ?
In my opinion , Vinod's relationship with his parents is crucial as he doesn't feel cared . His inevitable end came as a result of his poor relationship with his parents and when Saloma recovered and become centre and left him at that point of time . He was the one who loved attention , partly because his parents didn't care for him as they thought he was putting on an act to escape from reality . These two reality killed his emotionally , thus resulting him into commiting suicidce . Even though he is dying on the inside , he puts on an facade to show that he is fine to everyone . At the point that he could no longer take it , he ended his life . Therefore , his relationship woth his parents is one of the reasons that caused him his inevitable end .
2.Vinod's high expectation on himself caused his downfall. To what extent do you agree with the analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy ?
I agreeto large extent with the analysis . His desperation to reintegrate into the society has caused his illness to worsen . His rejexction to the medicine can be seen when he said "They see my hands tremble , my eyes sleepy sleepy they will avoid me."
His relationship between Saloma ans him is like a project for him . To him Saloma is a kitten he has found on the expressway , one that he had to protect and care for . Without the friendship , he has no purpose in life . It is clear that Vinod regards Saloma as his inferior in terms of education , he often treat her as someone who needs information , and frequently displays his knowledge about books and philosophy . It is also apparent that Vinod regards he as an inferioe in terms of mental girth , which is why he became so devasted when he relizes that she has become stronger than he is after the robbery incident . Instead of being happy for Saloma when she finally makes progress to be reintegrated into society , Vinod becomes unhappy . His inability to protect Saloma made him feel that he failed to pretect her , thus leading to his downfall .
3. Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play .
Saloma changes from a shy girl to one who survives from mental illness . She's even able to reason out with mak , her mother at the end as she expresses her desires to live like a normal person , just like anyone else . The first turning point for Saloma is when she meets Emily at the halfway house . Even though she stards out using thr mantra , Emily taught her to tentatively , she does turn out to be the stronger character between her and Vinod in the end . For instance , although Vinod is the better educated one between the two , Saloma is one who is set on writing to the newspaper to address the discrimination against him , What becomes the turning point for her , pushing out to face the real world , is the bird in her room . Whether this bird is real or a figment of her imagination is not the point , This marks the second turning point for Saloma because before Vinod withdrew from the world , including her , she did not know what to do with herself , nor not even know what to do , even where to go .
4. "Though a minor role in the play , the character Razali is the key yo the plot of off centre." To what extent do you agree with this assement ?
I do not agree with this assement to a large extent , To Saloma , Razali plays a role that is like her dad , he is the one who buys epok epok for her , one who talks to her and gives her adviceds . He fufills the role of showing fatherly love to Saloma . However , to Vinod , he is one that protects the community as he is a guard , he must protect everyone in the community . During the robber incident , he fails and Vinod blames him for not being there to protect the both Vinod and Saloma . Vinod is tested against his manhood when the robber said "Your boyfriend coward ah?"and "Your boyfriend got balls anot ?", he breaks down and this series of events is similar to one he faced when he went back to amry . Pc asked Vinod , Äre you a man or not Vinod?"Razali plays a role to help both Vinod and Saloma , however , he is not the key to the plot of off centre .
5. "Datta , Dayadhvam , Damyata" means to "Give , Sympathise , Control." How did the major characters in the play exert control in their enviroment and/or their lives ? Support your answer with evidence from the text .
Major characters like Vinod exert control in their environment by this intelligance . As a person who thought that his life was over when he didn't get straight As for his A levels . met Saloma whose education level was only up till VITB , he used his intelligence to "show off"to Saloma as he feels that Saloma is somewhat like a stray kitten he found in the middle of the expressway . He would give his lectures to Saloma on why the Gods are not good . Vinod exert control in his life by being the better person between two , namely himself anf Saloma . As for Saloma , she exerts control by asking Vinod to take his medication , Like the medicine could jelp him get better but he think otherwise . She also exerts control at the last part of theplay by asking Vinod to go the dance with her when he didn't want too as he felt useless after the robbery incident . In her life , Saloma exert control when mak ask her to stop taking the medicine as she feel that her own daughter is not mad at all and taking the medicine would not help . Saloma didn't listen to mak and this is how she exert control .
6. Based on the text Off centre , discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
Vinod's parents' marked absence in the play reveals their non-involvement in Vinod's life . They always leave Vinod alone to his own devices most of the time . Instead of being worried that Vinod has been shutting himself in room for weeks , they feel annoyed because they think that Vinod is taking advantage of their patience . He desires love and warmth but they are very proper and distant because of their high status . Therefore , Vinod is unable to get love and warmth from his parents and this is one of the reason that led to his death because of the abandonment from his parents .
During Vinod's JC days , Charlie , Denise and Johnson were close to Vinod as they were in the same class . They associated with him because of his literary brillance and often made photocopies of his excellent work as model essays to learn from . However , after Vinod's nervous breakdown , they ceased contact with him . When Vinod met them at the NUS , Vinod realises that people will always remember and remind him of his breakdown . This is why Vinod believes he will never be able to get past his history and move on normally as he gets negative reactions from ex-classmates .
From here , we can state that peer acceptance and family support is very important .
Memorable quotes :
Act one/Scene 3
"They laugh because we are mental patient , off centre."
Act two/Scene 1
"Johnson tells his family he;s not in whenever i call , i know"
Act two/Scene 2
"They are jealous because i am special."
Act two/Scene 2
"I am strong , nothing can destroy me."
Act four/Scene 1
"Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata. Give. Sympathise. Control."
Questions :
1. In your opinion , how keys is parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end ?
In my opinion , Vinod's relationship with his parents is crucial as he doesn't feel cared . His inevitable end came as a result of his poor relationship with his parents and when Saloma recovered and become centre and left him at that point of time . He was the one who loved attention , partly because his parents didn't care for him as they thought he was putting on an act to escape from reality . These two reality killed his emotionally , thus resulting him into commiting suicidce . Even though he is dying on the inside , he puts on an facade to show that he is fine to everyone . At the point that he could no longer take it , he ended his life . Therefore , his relationship woth his parents is one of the reasons that caused him his inevitable end .
2.Vinod's high expectation on himself caused his downfall. To what extent do you agree with the analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy ?
I agreeto large extent with the analysis . His desperation to reintegrate into the society has caused his illness to worsen . His rejexction to the medicine can be seen when he said "They see my hands tremble , my eyes sleepy sleepy they will avoid me."
His relationship between Saloma ans him is like a project for him . To him Saloma is a kitten he has found on the expressway , one that he had to protect and care for . Without the friendship , he has no purpose in life . It is clear that Vinod regards Saloma as his inferior in terms of education , he often treat her as someone who needs information , and frequently displays his knowledge about books and philosophy . It is also apparent that Vinod regards he as an inferioe in terms of mental girth , which is why he became so devasted when he relizes that she has become stronger than he is after the robbery incident . Instead of being happy for Saloma when she finally makes progress to be reintegrated into society , Vinod becomes unhappy . His inability to protect Saloma made him feel that he failed to pretect her , thus leading to his downfall .
3. Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play .
Saloma changes from a shy girl to one who survives from mental illness . She's even able to reason out with mak , her mother at the end as she expresses her desires to live like a normal person , just like anyone else . The first turning point for Saloma is when she meets Emily at the halfway house . Even though she stards out using thr mantra , Emily taught her to tentatively , she does turn out to be the stronger character between her and Vinod in the end . For instance , although Vinod is the better educated one between the two , Saloma is one who is set on writing to the newspaper to address the discrimination against him , What becomes the turning point for her , pushing out to face the real world , is the bird in her room . Whether this bird is real or a figment of her imagination is not the point , This marks the second turning point for Saloma because before Vinod withdrew from the world , including her , she did not know what to do with herself , nor not even know what to do , even where to go .
4. "Though a minor role in the play , the character Razali is the key yo the plot of off centre." To what extent do you agree with this assement ?
I do not agree with this assement to a large extent , To Saloma , Razali plays a role that is like her dad , he is the one who buys epok epok for her , one who talks to her and gives her adviceds . He fufills the role of showing fatherly love to Saloma . However , to Vinod , he is one that protects the community as he is a guard , he must protect everyone in the community . During the robber incident , he fails and Vinod blames him for not being there to protect the both Vinod and Saloma . Vinod is tested against his manhood when the robber said "Your boyfriend coward ah?"and "Your boyfriend got balls anot ?", he breaks down and this series of events is similar to one he faced when he went back to amry . Pc asked Vinod , Äre you a man or not Vinod?"Razali plays a role to help both Vinod and Saloma , however , he is not the key to the plot of off centre .
5. "Datta , Dayadhvam , Damyata" means to "Give , Sympathise , Control." How did the major characters in the play exert control in their enviroment and/or their lives ? Support your answer with evidence from the text .
Major characters like Vinod exert control in their environment by this intelligance . As a person who thought that his life was over when he didn't get straight As for his A levels . met Saloma whose education level was only up till VITB , he used his intelligence to "show off"to Saloma as he feels that Saloma is somewhat like a stray kitten he found in the middle of the expressway . He would give his lectures to Saloma on why the Gods are not good . Vinod exert control in his life by being the better person between two , namely himself anf Saloma . As for Saloma , she exerts control by asking Vinod to take his medication , Like the medicine could jelp him get better but he think otherwise . She also exerts control at the last part of theplay by asking Vinod to go the dance with her when he didn't want too as he felt useless after the robbery incident . In her life , Saloma exert control when mak ask her to stop taking the medicine as she feel that her own daughter is not mad at all and taking the medicine would not help . Saloma didn't listen to mak and this is how she exert control .
6. Based on the text Off centre , discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
Vinod's parents' marked absence in the play reveals their non-involvement in Vinod's life . They always leave Vinod alone to his own devices most of the time . Instead of being worried that Vinod has been shutting himself in room for weeks , they feel annoyed because they think that Vinod is taking advantage of their patience . He desires love and warmth but they are very proper and distant because of their high status . Therefore , Vinod is unable to get love and warmth from his parents and this is one of the reason that led to his death because of the abandonment from his parents .
During Vinod's JC days , Charlie , Denise and Johnson were close to Vinod as they were in the same class . They associated with him because of his literary brillance and often made photocopies of his excellent work as model essays to learn from . However , after Vinod's nervous breakdown , they ceased contact with him . When Vinod met them at the NUS , Vinod realises that people will always remember and remind him of his breakdown . This is why Vinod believes he will never be able to get past his history and move on normally as he gets negative reactions from ex-classmates .
From here , we can state that peer acceptance and family support is very important .
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Do the respective authors use these traditional Chinese rituals ( eating paper dissolved in drink , burning of paper money and houses , lighting joss sticks and praying to dead ancestors ) just for irony or for more prefound purposes ? What are these purposes ?
In paper , the mother fulfilled the desires of her love son by burning paper substitutes of money , houses , cars , concubines and other worldly goods to him . In Tanjong Rhu , Madam Li
attachment to his dead father , and respect for all the traditional rites and observances , form the centre of her existence . Madam Li always 'talked' to her dead husband in the ancestral tablet . It is only the way the living can communicate with those they loves and who have died and demonstrate the love and connection often unaccomplished in the busy-ness and distraction of daily living . Therefore , it is for more prefound purposes .
Would you yourself , as a mordern young Singaporean , see the relevance of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still , or are hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking ?
I think that having such cultural rtuals is very troublesome but the elders think that it is a traditional culture and they believed the person they talk to , will be able to hear what they said to them . I find that it is not necessary to burn paper substitutes of money , houses , cars etc . Overtime , the younger Singaporean will not follow such cultural rituals .
Do you think the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world ? How far is it a virtue to remain contented like old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more that a person, especially an elderly one , can want ?
I think that the elderly in Singapore are not out of touch with the contempoaray world . There are still many elderly studying and learning things ( example ; computer ) nowadays . Er , i don't know already ><
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 fit become a negative habit ?
Looking back is a good thing as we can remember the times we spend with our love ones . It can become a negative habit as we can recall what we have regret of not doing something like in the story of Tanjong Rhu . Mr Li regretted for not asking his mother about his childhod by the sea when she was still alive .
In paper , the mother fulfilled the desires of her love son by burning paper substitutes of money , houses , cars , concubines and other worldly goods to him . In Tanjong Rhu , Madam Li
attachment to his dead father , and respect for all the traditional rites and observances , form the centre of her existence . Madam Li always 'talked' to her dead husband in the ancestral tablet . It is only the way the living can communicate with those they loves and who have died and demonstrate the love and connection often unaccomplished in the busy-ness and distraction of daily living . Therefore , it is for more prefound purposes .
Would you yourself , as a mordern young Singaporean , see the relevance of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still , or are hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking ?
I think that having such cultural rtuals is very troublesome but the elders think that it is a traditional culture and they believed the person they talk to , will be able to hear what they said to them . I find that it is not necessary to burn paper substitutes of money , houses , cars etc . Overtime , the younger Singaporean will not follow such cultural rituals .
Do you think the elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world ? How far is it a virtue to remain contented like old Mrs Li and think that there is nothing more that a person, especially an elderly one , can want ?
I think that the elderly in Singapore are not out of touch with the contempoaray world . There are still many elderly studying and learning things ( example ; computer ) nowadays . Er , i don't know already ><
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 fit become a negative habit ?
Looking back is a good thing as we can remember the times we spend with our love ones . It can become a negative habit as we can recall what we have regret of not doing something like in the story of Tanjong Rhu . Mr Li regretted for not asking his mother about his childhod by the sea when she was still alive .
Monday, January 25, 2010
Choose two stories that reveal the thinking .
- Of an older generation of Singaporeans . What new insights have you gained from such a revelation .
The story of Tanjong Rhu is a story of an older generation of Singaporeans . A successful executive who has forgotten so much of his childhood life by the sea . His grief at her death and regret that in the last month of his mother life , he did not ask her about his childhood .
This shows that we must appreciate the material achievements presents of parents in our life .
The story of Mid Autumn recounts a mother's pain and coufusion when her daughter decides to leave Singapore to so a charity work in Uganda . The mother had undergone a lfie of privation to make these options available for her daughter but the daughter did not gratitude what her mother had done for her . This shows that we must gratitude people around us who help us especially our parents who take care of us all these years .
Choose 5 links and write comments of 50-100 words about the content of the blog.
-Melrize
-Amy
-Dahlya
-Nuraini
-Farah
- Of an older generation of Singaporeans . What new insights have you gained from such a revelation .
The story of Tanjong Rhu is a story of an older generation of Singaporeans . A successful executive who has forgotten so much of his childhood life by the sea . His grief at her death and regret that in the last month of his mother life , he did not ask her about his childhood .
This shows that we must appreciate the material achievements presents of parents in our life .
The story of Mid Autumn recounts a mother's pain and coufusion when her daughter decides to leave Singapore to so a charity work in Uganda . The mother had undergone a lfie of privation to make these options available for her daughter but the daughter did not gratitude what her mother had done for her . This shows that we must gratitude people around us who help us especially our parents who take care of us all these years .
Choose 5 links and write comments of 50-100 words about the content of the blog.
-Melrize
-Amy
-Dahlya
-Nuraini
-Farah
Thursday, January 21, 2010
How is motherhood presented in any two or three stories in the collection ?
Tanjong Rhu
This story describles 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 intermingled with regret that in the last months of her life he did not turn to her remedy this loss .
Paper
A couple's greed and desire for material advancement is rudely shattered when they play the stock market and lose everything when the bubble bursts . The husband then realised that his money for his funeral was gone . In the end when he died , his mother was the one that was helping him to do his funeral .
Select two stories in which there is conflict between parents and child , and show how far there is some resolution of these differences at the end of the story .
Lee
With reference to a suitable, discuss how far charge is shown to be either welcomed or feared .
Lee
This story is about a relationship between a Singaporean Father and his Americanized daughter . The father hardly knows and who re-enters his life following the death of his ex wife . It became uneasy and awkward for the both of them . Lee's presence forces her father to comfront and justify his life choices to question things that he was passively and unthinkingly accepted .
How are young people and their ideals( perfect thinking/ goal/perfect aim) presented in two stories in the collection ? How far do you identify with these young people ?
Evening Under Fangipani
This story indicts the class and racial prejudice that keeps two young people apart . In the face if intransigent social barries , the individual has little choice but to confront the option if a lifetimes of compromise and loneliness .
Hamid and the Hand of Fate
This story tells the tale of Hamid whose life is forever changed by a freak accident which clams his right hand . He decides to be sabar and accepts his fate . This deciaion does not prevent him from sesing that people around him are not merely making use of him , hoping to benefit from his compensation money . This story provides an insight into the lives of Singaporeans who encounter daily the threat of in dustrail accidents .
Tanjong Rhu
This story describles 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 intermingled with regret that in the last months of her life he did not turn to her remedy this loss .
Paper
A couple's greed and desire for material advancement is rudely shattered when they play the stock market and lose everything when the bubble bursts . The husband then realised that his money for his funeral was gone . In the end when he died , his mother was the one that was helping him to do his funeral .
Select two stories in which there is conflict between parents and child , and show how far there is some resolution of these differences at the end of the story .
Lee
This story is about a relationship between a Singaporean Father and his Americanized daughter . The father hardly knows and who re-enters his life following the death of his ex wife . It became uneasy and awkward for the both of them . Lee's presence forces her father to comfront and justify his life choices to question things that he was passively and unthinkingly accepted .
Mid-Autumn
This story recalls a mother's pain and coufusion when her daughter decides to leave Singapore to undertake charity work in Uganda . Her mother works hard just to help her pay for her school fees . In the end she got a GP qualifications with her help of her mother but she insisted on going Uganda no matter if her parents disagreed .
With reference to a suitable, discuss how far charge is shown to be either welcomed or feared .
Lee
This story is about a relationship between a Singaporean Father and his Americanized daughter . The father hardly knows and who re-enters his life following the death of his ex wife . It became uneasy and awkward for the both of them . Lee's presence forces her father to comfront and justify his life choices to question things that he was passively and unthinkingly accepted .
How are young people and their ideals( perfect thinking/ goal/perfect aim) presented in two stories in the collection ? How far do you identify with these young people ?
Evening Under Fangipani
This story indicts the class and racial prejudice that keeps two young people apart . In the face if intransigent social barries , the individual has little choice but to confront the option if a lifetimes of compromise and loneliness .
Hamid and the Hand of Fate
This story tells the tale of Hamid whose life is forever changed by a freak accident which clams his right hand . He decides to be sabar and accepts his fate . This deciaion does not prevent him from sesing that people around him are not merely making use of him , hoping to benefit from his compensation money . This story provides an insight into the lives of Singaporeans who encounter daily the threat of in dustrail accidents .
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Evening under Frangipani
Conflicts
External – Elaine was being so romantic to Prakash but they fought because he laughed at her.
External – Elaine’s mother thinks that Prakash is slow and stupid and even imagined him as physically aggressive , therefore , she don’t really like Prakash .
Internal – Prakash wanted to give up but he went to look for Elaine in the end.
Climax
When Prakash laughed at Elaine’s hands, she started to ignore him when Prakash found out that a man sent Elaine home.
Resolution
Complete Resolution.Elaine did not want to see Prakash again.Prakash decided not to be dependent on Elaine and decided if he was to meet Elaine again, it would be by chance. That was the end of their relationship.
Name
Character
Page no.
Prakash
He is a nervous-wreck (during job interview)
27
Competent (He was a platoon commander)
48
Forgetful (Had to memorise what he was going to say for the interview)
49
Father
Humble, Easy going (Anxious for a quiet life)
55
Not judgemental (Gentle towards Prakash)
60
Passionate (Towards insects and bugs)
Mother
Arrogant (Considered Prakash slow and stupid just because she was a lawyer and he just passed his diploma)
48 , 83
Condescending (Trying to appear not smug but concerned)
84
Judgemental (Sees class difference)
Elaine
Petty (Just because Prakash laughed at her hands, she resolved not to see him again)
62 , 63
Strong Willed (Doesn’t want to talk to Prakash although she misses him)
63
Persistent (Ignore calls from Prakash)
64
The most interesting part I find in this story was when Prakash went to look for Elaine after they fought, and he found that another guy actually sent Elaine home. What was Prakash thinking during that moment? Did he regret and felt guilty during that moment where he laughed at Elaine’s hands and said they felt like beetles? Did he actually want to ask Elaine out again before he saw what had happened?
Lee
Conflicts
External – Li Wen’s father did not like her dressing and they argued about it.External – Li Wen did not believe in God, whereas her father believed so, and he wanted her to believe in it too.
Internal – Li Wen’s father tried to make her look like a local, but it was harder than he thought.
Climax
When Li Wen didn’t talk to her father for 2 weeks, except in tones of exaggerated politeness.
Resolution
Open ended Resolution.We do not know if Li Wen had finally listen to her father in the end, as it said he could still see the lighted window hovering in a corner of his mind. And in literature, a light could mean anything.
Name
Character
Page no.
Father
Caring (He allowed Li Wen to live with him, instead of leaving her alone after her mother, which was his ex-wife, drowned accidently.)
85, 86
Patient (When Li Wen shouted at him, he endured and did not make a huge fuss out of it.)
98
Traditional (He tried to interest Li Wen in her culture and talk about Chinese stories during dinner.)
102
Li Wen
Rebellious (She lost her temper and gave her father a twisted, half sneer, James Dean scorching look, heavily nasty.)
97
Rude (She keeps swearing, for example, What the hell and Jesus Christ.)
103
Straight forward (When her father mentioned about her mother, blaming her mother for his daughter’s behaviour, she just answered back: “That’s sick.” without thinking.)
103
The most interesting part I find in this story was when Li Wen started living with her father after not meeting each other for eight years and how she slowly changed herself to adapt in Singapore. Even trying to accept her own Chinese culture after living in America since she was young and mixing with them. And how she coped with her mother’s death, moved on with her life and everything with her father.
A History of Tea
Conflicts
Climax
Resolution
Complete Ending.
All the conflicts are resolved and when the narrator opened his cup of tea, he saw his relatives and the life that would appear before him before it happened.
Name
Character
Page no.
Narrator
Simple ( He did not use a mug that had complicated patterns , whereas Beverly used a mug that was beautiful and had fanciful designs on it )
108
Beverly
Funny ; Good sense of humour ( She laughed at a joke , “not my cup of tea” )
109
The most interesting segment is when Beverly had a good sense of humour, she made a joke about the cup of tea, of being not her “cup of tea”.
Release
Conflicts
External - The neighbour compared Eileen together with their dog as they were both pregnant, this showed a form of disrespect.
External - Her husband was irritated by the fact that Eileen forgotten to collect his suit .
External - Eileen’s neighbours cut down her guava tree while she was at the supermarket.
External - Philip was angry over the fact that Eileen were taking trival matters so seriously.
Climax
When Eileen couldn’t take it any more , she decided to do something about it , she decided to wait for the person who gave the dogs their food , to do something to solve the problem .
Resolution
Open – Ended.
The problem is only partially solved. It is only partially solved because, the dogs are quiet now, but they are already dead as the man used the tools to kill them.
Name
Character
Page no.
Eileen
Friendly (She went over to say hi to her new neighbours when they were moving in )
139
Petty ( Her neighbour only intruded a small section of her garden and she became all furious and agitated . )
142
Patient (She talks and rocks her baby even though it keeps crying. )
144
Philip
Petty ( Just because it slipped Eileen’s mind to collect his suit , he became angry )
141
Understanding ( He was telling Eileen to let their neighbours to have that tiny bit of space since they don’t do gardening anyway )
143
The man who took care of the dogs
Kind ( He offered to carry Eileen’s baby , and he even stroked the baby’s cheek )
146
Understanding ( He agreed to shift the dogs to another place , to help Eileen solve her problem )
147
Evil ( He killed the puppies one by one to silence them. )
148
The most interesting segment is when Eileen got very frustrated / angry with the dog’s noise. She couldn’t take it anymore for any longer; she called the police to help & even thought of calling the spca to help resolve the problem. Calling the police to solve this trival matter is a little uncommon. She was showing signs that she was slowly becoming mad because all she wanted, is to let her & her baby to catch some sleep.
An Orbituary for Fifth Aunt Came Late
Conflicts
External - Their mother continually bewailed her lot – nine children, thirteen if you counted the dead babies, the endless chores, the drudgery.
Internal - Aunt shocked herself with her power of speech. She could only calm herself then with a trip to the kitchen sink, plowing her hands into dishes and dish-soiled water.
Climax
Resolution
Name
Character
Page no.
Fifth Aunt
Filial ( She was in her fifties. She lived in my grandmother’s house. )
149
Apologetic ( One day she fell off her stool because she shifted her weight wrong, and she said, “Oh sorry, oh sorry, I’m very clumsy.” )
149
Put others before herself (Who filled every soup bowl before her own.)
150
Narrator
Disrespectful ( She was my aunt but I didn’t make a point to be her niece )
149
Had an air of nonchalance (I suppose since I couldn’t be heard I didn’t try to think very much either.)
149 ,150
Grandmother
Whiny ( Their mother continually bewailed her lot )
152
Traditional – prefer boys ( Don’t waste out sugar, her mother admonished, your brothers need the sugar for their school sandwiches. )
152
Pastime
Conflicts
External - There was a psychological conflict as Mr Lee and Tai Poh try to trick each other into admitting to something .
Internal - Mr Lee was laughing on the inside as he thinks that he thinks that Tai Poh has failed in trying to fool him .
Climax
The start of the climax is when Mr. Lee started on his own “Story”
Resolution
Nothing changed as its just a story, it was just a past time and nothing was real .
Name
Character
Page no.
Tai Poh
Quiet ( He did not talk to the passengers nor disturb them in any way. )
212
Observant ( He watched and carefully considered before he picked the person to feature in his story . )
212
Secretive ( He stopped to check his face , it betrayed nothing nor let anyone know anything through his face expressions. )
217
Mr Lee
Vigilant ( He was prepared . )
216
Cunning ( It betrayed nothing and he expected it , he was not simple minded . After living through so many years this way , he could not be simple minded )
217
The most interesting segment is when Mr Lee started his story about the man that works as a security manager in a large wafer fab plan . He talked about how important the job of a security guard is and he then goes on about the plan to make a lot of money ,which is enough for a few people to retire . I think it’s the most interesting part of the story is when Mr Lee was telling his story , we can see how Tai Poh’s expressions change from laid back to guilty and frightened . As though he was scared of being tricked into admitting to something he shouldn’t .
Conflicts
External – Elaine was being so romantic to Prakash but they fought because he laughed at her.
External – Elaine’s mother thinks that Prakash is slow and stupid and even imagined him as physically aggressive , therefore , she don’t really like Prakash .
Internal – Prakash wanted to give up but he went to look for Elaine in the end.
Climax
When Prakash laughed at Elaine’s hands, she started to ignore him when Prakash found out that a man sent Elaine home.
Resolution
Complete Resolution.Elaine did not want to see Prakash again.Prakash decided not to be dependent on Elaine and decided if he was to meet Elaine again, it would be by chance. That was the end of their relationship.
Name
Character
Page no.
Prakash
He is a nervous-wreck (during job interview)
27
Competent (He was a platoon commander)
48
Forgetful (Had to memorise what he was going to say for the interview)
49
Father
Humble, Easy going (Anxious for a quiet life)
55
Not judgemental (Gentle towards Prakash)
60
Passionate (Towards insects and bugs)
Mother
Arrogant (Considered Prakash slow and stupid just because she was a lawyer and he just passed his diploma)
48 , 83
Condescending (Trying to appear not smug but concerned)
84
Judgemental (Sees class difference)
Elaine
Petty (Just because Prakash laughed at her hands, she resolved not to see him again)
62 , 63
Strong Willed (Doesn’t want to talk to Prakash although she misses him)
63
Persistent (Ignore calls from Prakash)
64
The most interesting part I find in this story was when Prakash went to look for Elaine after they fought, and he found that another guy actually sent Elaine home. What was Prakash thinking during that moment? Did he regret and felt guilty during that moment where he laughed at Elaine’s hands and said they felt like beetles? Did he actually want to ask Elaine out again before he saw what had happened?
Lee
Conflicts
External – Li Wen’s father did not like her dressing and they argued about it.External – Li Wen did not believe in God, whereas her father believed so, and he wanted her to believe in it too.
Internal – Li Wen’s father tried to make her look like a local, but it was harder than he thought.
Climax
When Li Wen didn’t talk to her father for 2 weeks, except in tones of exaggerated politeness.
Resolution
Open ended Resolution.We do not know if Li Wen had finally listen to her father in the end, as it said he could still see the lighted window hovering in a corner of his mind. And in literature, a light could mean anything.
Name
Character
Page no.
Father
Caring (He allowed Li Wen to live with him, instead of leaving her alone after her mother, which was his ex-wife, drowned accidently.)
85, 86
Patient (When Li Wen shouted at him, he endured and did not make a huge fuss out of it.)
98
Traditional (He tried to interest Li Wen in her culture and talk about Chinese stories during dinner.)
102
Li Wen
Rebellious (She lost her temper and gave her father a twisted, half sneer, James Dean scorching look, heavily nasty.)
97
Rude (She keeps swearing, for example, What the hell and Jesus Christ.)
103
Straight forward (When her father mentioned about her mother, blaming her mother for his daughter’s behaviour, she just answered back: “That’s sick.” without thinking.)
103
The most interesting part I find in this story was when Li Wen started living with her father after not meeting each other for eight years and how she slowly changed herself to adapt in Singapore. Even trying to accept her own Chinese culture after living in America since she was young and mixing with them. And how she coped with her mother’s death, moved on with her life and everything with her father.
A History of Tea
Conflicts
Climax
Resolution
Complete Ending.
All the conflicts are resolved and when the narrator opened his cup of tea, he saw his relatives and the life that would appear before him before it happened.
Name
Character
Page no.
Narrator
Simple ( He did not use a mug that had complicated patterns , whereas Beverly used a mug that was beautiful and had fanciful designs on it )
108
Beverly
Funny ; Good sense of humour ( She laughed at a joke , “not my cup of tea” )
109
The most interesting segment is when Beverly had a good sense of humour, she made a joke about the cup of tea, of being not her “cup of tea”.
Release
Conflicts
External - The neighbour compared Eileen together with their dog as they were both pregnant, this showed a form of disrespect.
External - Her husband was irritated by the fact that Eileen forgotten to collect his suit .
External - Eileen’s neighbours cut down her guava tree while she was at the supermarket.
External - Philip was angry over the fact that Eileen were taking trival matters so seriously.
Climax
When Eileen couldn’t take it any more , she decided to do something about it , she decided to wait for the person who gave the dogs their food , to do something to solve the problem .
Resolution
Open – Ended.
The problem is only partially solved. It is only partially solved because, the dogs are quiet now, but they are already dead as the man used the tools to kill them.
Name
Character
Page no.
Eileen
Friendly (She went over to say hi to her new neighbours when they were moving in )
139
Petty ( Her neighbour only intruded a small section of her garden and she became all furious and agitated . )
142
Patient (She talks and rocks her baby even though it keeps crying. )
144
Philip
Petty ( Just because it slipped Eileen’s mind to collect his suit , he became angry )
141
Understanding ( He was telling Eileen to let their neighbours to have that tiny bit of space since they don’t do gardening anyway )
143
The man who took care of the dogs
Kind ( He offered to carry Eileen’s baby , and he even stroked the baby’s cheek )
146
Understanding ( He agreed to shift the dogs to another place , to help Eileen solve her problem )
147
Evil ( He killed the puppies one by one to silence them. )
148
The most interesting segment is when Eileen got very frustrated / angry with the dog’s noise. She couldn’t take it anymore for any longer; she called the police to help & even thought of calling the spca to help resolve the problem. Calling the police to solve this trival matter is a little uncommon. She was showing signs that she was slowly becoming mad because all she wanted, is to let her & her baby to catch some sleep.
An Orbituary for Fifth Aunt Came Late
Conflicts
External - Their mother continually bewailed her lot – nine children, thirteen if you counted the dead babies, the endless chores, the drudgery.
Internal - Aunt shocked herself with her power of speech. She could only calm herself then with a trip to the kitchen sink, plowing her hands into dishes and dish-soiled water.
Climax
Resolution
Name
Character
Page no.
Fifth Aunt
Filial ( She was in her fifties. She lived in my grandmother’s house. )
149
Apologetic ( One day she fell off her stool because she shifted her weight wrong, and she said, “Oh sorry, oh sorry, I’m very clumsy.” )
149
Put others before herself (Who filled every soup bowl before her own.)
150
Narrator
Disrespectful ( She was my aunt but I didn’t make a point to be her niece )
149
Had an air of nonchalance (I suppose since I couldn’t be heard I didn’t try to think very much either.)
149 ,150
Grandmother
Whiny ( Their mother continually bewailed her lot )
152
Traditional – prefer boys ( Don’t waste out sugar, her mother admonished, your brothers need the sugar for their school sandwiches. )
152
Pastime
Conflicts
External - There was a psychological conflict as Mr Lee and Tai Poh try to trick each other into admitting to something .
Internal - Mr Lee was laughing on the inside as he thinks that he thinks that Tai Poh has failed in trying to fool him .
Climax
The start of the climax is when Mr. Lee started on his own “Story”
Resolution
Nothing changed as its just a story, it was just a past time and nothing was real .
Name
Character
Page no.
Tai Poh
Quiet ( He did not talk to the passengers nor disturb them in any way. )
212
Observant ( He watched and carefully considered before he picked the person to feature in his story . )
212
Secretive ( He stopped to check his face , it betrayed nothing nor let anyone know anything through his face expressions. )
217
Mr Lee
Vigilant ( He was prepared . )
216
Cunning ( It betrayed nothing and he expected it , he was not simple minded . After living through so many years this way , he could not be simple minded )
217
The most interesting segment is when Mr Lee started his story about the man that works as a security manager in a large wafer fab plan . He talked about how important the job of a security guard is and he then goes on about the plan to make a lot of money ,which is enough for a few people to retire . I think it’s the most interesting part of the story is when Mr Lee was telling his story , we can see how Tai Poh’s expressions change from laid back to guilty and frightened . As though he was scared of being tricked into admitting to something he shouldn’t .
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