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 .