June Holiday Assignment

5 Memorable Quotes

The voices, the so-called voices?
act 1, scene 2, pg 15

Mak, Saloma nak kerja.
act 1, scene 4, pg 38

No, no. We both become bird. Yah, both become bird.
act 1, scene 3, pg 28

Yah, I finish my 'N' levels than I go VITB
act 1, scene 2, pg 15

Off centre? Where did you pick that up from?
act 1, scene 3, pg 25

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

In my opinion, the parent-child relationship played a key role in Vinods end. His poor parent-child relationship lead to his death at the end of the story. He lacked a proper parent-child relationship which resulted in him having no emtional support from his parents. He did not have anyone to ask advice for or seek help from and did not know where to go or what to do. His parents also amplied him for university overseas without discussing it with him. This shows that they do not communicate with each other and that his parents do not care of what he wants. His parents also denied that he had depression and thought he should continue studying as per normal. This added to his depression which led him to commit suicide.

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 certain extent that his high expectations lead to his own downfall. He expected to be best at everything and expected too much from himself. He expected to take care of Saloma when he cannot even take care of himself nor give Saloma any good advice or support when she needed it. He also could not protect Saloma during the incident in act 3, scene 3, pg 96 " Eh, your boyfriend coward ah? ". During the incident he froze and the robber got away. After the incident, Saloma who was robbed changed for the better while Vinod became more depressed. Even when he is depressed, he expects that he must still make Saloma laugh. From act 5, scene 4, pg 136 " See, I can still make you laugh... ". He also expected that without taking his medicine he will recover from his depression which made him more depressed. In the end with all the depression from failing from his expectations he commited suicide.

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

Firstly, Saloma started to change after Emily taught her the mantra from act 2, scene 2, pg 54, " They are jealous.... because I am special. ". This gave Saloma more confidence and made her feel better. She also gained more courage to do other things. Secondly, Saloma met Vinod who also pushed her to become more open and talkative. This also gave her hope to become better as there was someone with her to help her along the way of recovery. Then, Saloma also took her medicine which was a crucial step in her recovery. The robbery was also one of the reasons that made Saloma change. After the robbery, she decided to apply for a job and cash-on-line card from act 5, scene 1, pg 112 " ... I must apply for Cash-on-Line card... ". This shows that Saloma changed for the better and recovered from her mental illness.

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

I agree to a certain extent that Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre. Vinod and Saloma both see him as a guardian and a father figure and expects protection and support from him. Razali taught Vinod Malay and also gave some epok-epok to Saloma. From act 2, scene 3, pg 70 " Bapak beli epok-epok. Go back eat. " This changed both Vinod and Saloma in some ways. Vinod gained knowledge while Saloma gained a new respected person. Both gained a guardian. After the incident in act 3, scene 3 ,pg 96 " Eh, your boyfriend coward ah? " both Vinod and Saloma blamed Razali for not protecting them and said he was the one who had to protecting them as he is their father. With this, both Vinod and Saloma changed. Vinod became more depressed as he now realises that he cannot protect Saloma and cannot rely on anyone else to protect her. Saloma realises that Razali is not her guardian.

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.

Vinod exert control in his life by not taking his medicine and always tried to make Saloma laugh and feel good. Saloma exerts control in her life by taking her medicine and always wanted to help her mother eventhough she disagrees with her. Saloma also wants to recoer from her illness.

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 as we can see how Vinod feels without peer acceptance. Without having any friends he felt even more depressed and not accepted in society. From act 2, scene 1, pg 50 "Well, it would have helped if some of my friends called once in a while.... ". Family support is also important. Without family support, Vinod became more depressed and felt insecure and not wanted. From act 2, scene 3, pg 74 "... I'd rather not talk about my parents.... ". With this, Vinod's social status is very low and nobody wants to be near him. His mental well-being is also affected as being alone makes him more depressed.

Island Voices Quotes

Paper
" Why don't you put your money to better use? " pg 3
" ... I shall give him a beautiful house! " pg 8

The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
" Just in case you brought anyone home, dear. " pg11
" Helena trained her husband into near perfection punctuality... " pg 11

Sundowner
" There's no need to keep calling me 'tuan'... " pg 21
" Tuan likes to drink in the evening? " pg 21

Tanjong Rhu
" I know I have everything I need. " pg 30
" You want to see better don't you? " pg 30

Evening under Frangipani
" She had saved it to cheer him up... " pg 53
" The bungalow all to themselves! " pg 53

Lee
" Don't you remember anything about your country? " pg 86
" I don't eat meat. " pg 91

A History Of Tea
" I studied nineteenth and twentieth century Chinese history, you know. " pg 111
" ... Uncle raja was the oily man. " pg 112

A Dream Of China
" I began to dream dreams of China too. " pg 124
" A country is only as good as its men. " pg 138

Release
" Why do you always speak for someone else? " pg 143
" She heard squeals. " pg 148

An Obituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late
" You're not getting stronger, so skinny, so sick, so dried up, it's better you go to them. " pg 153
" Perhaps you should'nt return. " pg 157

Corridor
" You just stay in the hotel room the whole day. " pg 164
" Someone's been playing with our water. " pg 168

Mid-Autumn
" Mummy, don't be sad, can always buy new one. " pg 179
" I stayed in my teaching job so I could afford the best education for my daughter. " pg 180

Hamid and The Hand Of Fate
" Mid, sabar, Mid. " pg 194
" He doesn't want to get married. " pg 195

The Move
" Too bad the pomegranate has grown so big. " pg 205
" Ah So! You are finally moving! " pg 209

Pastime
" You're history. " pg 214
" Yes, I have a pastime just like yours, Tai Poh. " pg 216

Tanjong Rhu

1) I think that the authors use the traditional chinese rituals for more profound purposes. One of the purposes is to show the characteristic of Mrs Li. It is to show that Mrs Li was religious and traditional and takes the rituals very seriously and does it properly.

2) I think that such cultural rituals are still necessary and that it is good for use to perform the rituals. I think that it is good for us to perform the rituals as it shows that we know our roots and have not forgotten the traditional rituals.

3) I think that not all elderly in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world. I think that an elderly should only be contented to a certain extent as their wants are also important to their life and to their happiness.

4) Yes, it is neccessary a good thing to remember the past as it may remind you of your past mistakes and it will make you aware more often. But, remembering your past too much may lead to you feeling to scared or worried to try new things or the things that you had made mistakes on.


A Dream Of China

1) I think that it is suitable to refer Singapore to a 'diamond city' as Singapore is mostly made out of buildings and flats that only little green is left. I think that Singapore is a very modern and up to date country and a very peaceful place to live in.

2) I regard him with distaste just like his niece. He himself does not have a clean home and he dares to criticize on the dirty glasses and demand for a clean one. This shows that he is very rude and does not even realise his own mistakes. He thinks that he is better than everyone.

3) I think that it is a contradiction. Even though the author had seen her uncle's dirty and poor home her father still talked about China as it was a beautiful and peaceful country where he still wants to return to.

4) I think that the author meant that the citizens of a country will reflect on the image of the country. I agree to a certain extent that the author's father was a good man as he has done all that he could for his family and has left China so that they may have a good life. I think that China should claim him.

Comment Blogs:
Amirul
Amirah
Faris
Abdullah
Danial
Kelly
Mardiana
Edmund

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


The two stories are Hamid and the hand of fate and Paper. In Hamid and the hand of fate, Hamid's mother cared for him when he lost his right arm and was there at the hospital when he woke up. She told Hamid to accept what has happened to him and to recite his declaration of faith. This shows that she is kind and cares for Hamid.


In Paper, Tay Soon's mother- in- law took charge of the situation of Tay Soon getting out of hand when his wife just stood back while watching the terrible change her husband is undergoing. This shows that his mother - in - law is caring and knows what her son - in - law wants.





2) 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.

The two stories are Tanjong Rhu and Lee. In Tanjong Rhu, Mr Li and his mother have conflict. Mr Li always tries to help his mother but his mother always refuses his help. He bought a binoculars once and tried to give it to his mother as a present but his mother said that she did not need it eventhough she cannot see things that are far away. At the end of the story, Mr Li's mother died and Mr Li changed and became more religious.

In the story Lee, she and her father had difficulty in communicating with each other because Lee left with her mother when she was eight - years old. But after the long years, her father tries to make it up to her by trying to be a good father. As the story goes on, the relationship between Lee and her father was much better as compared from the time they met at the airport.

3) With reference to suitable stories, discuss how far changes is shown to be either welcomed, or feared.

The two stories are Corridor and Hamid and the hand of fate. In Corridor, when the grandmother and the neighbour first talked about people who tempered with the water pipes, they had some disagreement. After that, the neighbour avoided her and she never saw them. The family's slippers were sometimes found at the staircase. They suspected this was the way the neighbour retaliated. Finally, the grandmother saw light at the neighbour's home which was a sign they wanted to change.

In Hamid and the hand of fate, Hamid was a construction worker and one day he had an accident that resulted in him losing his right arm. Due to the accident he got money and this led to alot of attention. The money he got changed the way people looked at him. Salmah, his sister - in - law, was one of them. She started talking with him and soon she was asking money from Hamid.

4) How are young people and their ideals presented in two or three stories in the collection? How far do you identify with these young people?



The two stories are Hamid and the hand of fate and Mid - Autumn. In Hamid and the hand of fate, Hamid wanted to help his sister - in - law and gave her his money. He gave her his money to show that he cares. He represents the young people who are kind and helpful to others.



In Mid - Autumn, the author's daughter was a grown up being a spoiled child. But as the story goes on she instead became a better person who wants to help people in other countries. She represents the young people with big inspiration and have the will to fullfill what they want to do.

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

The two stories are Tanjong Rhu and A Dream of China. In Tanjong Rhu, Mr Li's mother is religious and always remembers the past. She remembers the good times she had with her son and her husband when they lived at Tanjong Rhu.

In A Dream of China, the author's father also remembers the past. He remembers the good things about China and tells it to his children. The older generation of Singapore finds it hard to let go of the past.

[Lit]

Story: Release


Conflicts:

1. Eileen's neighbour was rude to her.(pg. 140)
   
2. Eileen was irritated with Philips's voice. (pg. 141)
3. Eileen's neighbour cut down the guava tree near the fence separating the two houses. (pg. 141)
4. Eileen's neighbour showed her a blueprint and slammed the door. (pg. 142)
5. Eileen was irritated with the puppies because their whining kept the baby awake. (pg.144)

Climax: When Eileen me the man feeding the puppies. (pg 146)

Resolution: Open - Ended
Characters:

• Eileen: friendly(pg.139), kind(pg146), persistent(pg146).
• Philip: polite(pg142),
• Neighbour: rude(pg142)

The most interesting segment of this story for me is when Eileen heard the noise at the end of the story. I think this is interesting as it makes me curious as to what happened to the puppies. Something bad or good might have happened to the puppies with the emission of the noise.

Story: Lee

Conflicts:

1. Lee did not respect her father.(pg. 90)
   
2. Lee did not mix around with Chinese people. (pg. 102)
3. Lee did not like to dress like Singaporeans. (pg. 98)
4. Lee did not like being an Asian. (pg. 105)

Climax: When Lee and the author saw a woman at the Chinese Garden. (pg96)

Resolution: Open - Ended

Characters:

• Lee: rude(pg.90), likes music(pg87), curious(pg91), does not eat meat(pg91),straightforward(pg90).
  
• Author: kind(pg88), observant(pg92), caring(pg100)
  
• Author's Mother: kind(pg100)

The most interesting segment of this story for me is when the author walked into Lee's room and saw the various pictures that were on the wall. This shows that Lee understands more and is much more intelligent than I thought she was. I think that Lee is much more interesting after I read this part of the story.

Story: Evening under Frangipani

Conflicts:

1. Prakash does not like his CO.(pg. 48)
   
2. Prakash does not like the interviewer. (pg. 48)
3. Elaine does not like conventional ways. (pg. 52)
4. Elaine does not like show-offs. (pg. 51)
5. Elaine avoided Prakash. (pg63)
6. Prakash regretted acting the way he did. (pg66)

Climax: When Elaine and Prakash stopped seeing each other. (pg64)

Resolution: Open- Ended.

Characters:

• Prakash: crude(pg.57), nervy(pg57),not conversant(pg91)
  
• Elaine: feminist(pg49), casual(pg51), caring(pg53), refined(pg57)
  
• Elaine's Mother: sarcastic(pg38), unfriendly(pg58)

The most interesting segment of this story for me is when Prakash decided to respect himself. This part shows me that Prakash is more intelligent and has another characteristic. I think this segment of the story is interesting as Prakash has finally accepted that Elaine no longer wants to see him and decides to move on.

Story: Pastime

Conflicts:

1. Tai Poh did not know whether he did something wrong or not. CO.(pg. 213)
   
2. Tai Poh could not go see the girl at first. (pg. 216)
3. Tai Poh could not let go of his past. (pg. 216)

Climax: When the author said he has the same pastime as Tai Poh. (pg216)

Resolution: complete ending

Characters:

• Tai Poh: has good imagination(pg.212), curious(pg218),has good memory(pg213-216)
  
• Author: observant(pg215), curious(pg216), intelligent(pg216)
• Young Girl: sociable(pg219)

The most interesting segment of this story to me is when the narrator says that he has the same pastime as Tai Poh. This segment of the story tells me that the narrator is intelligent and that he knows the secret behind Tai Poh's pastime. I like this segment of the story as it makes the story more interesting.

Story: A History of Tea

Conflicts:

1. The author's grandmother is racist and thus not like Uncle Raja.(pg. 111-112)
   
2. Beverly is a arrogant and spoilt child who was raised in the UK and thus does not possess Asian qualities. (pg. 111-112)

Climax: When the author introduced Beverly's grandfather. (pg116)

Resolution: Open-Ended

Characters:

• Beverly: tall(pg.109), high class(pg108), wealthy(pg109), Eurasian(pg109), arrogant(pg111), ungrateful(pg112)
  
• Tien Wee: poorer than Beverly(pg108), shorter than Beverly(pg109),sun yellow skin(pg109), does not think that tea is very important(pg115)
• Grandmother: mean(pg112)

The most interesting segment of this story for me is when the narrator talked about the time when he met Beverly for the first time. He recalled that although Beverly could not remember their conversation, she could recite her mother's rules for a good brew. This shows that tea is more important to Beverly than to Tien Wee.

Story: An Orbituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late

Conflicts:

1. Ah Kaw's parents gave her up to another family.(pg. 153)
   
2. The fiercely-held law that prevented Ah Kaw from learning how to read. (pg. 155)
3. When the soldier came to the tailor shop.
   

Climax: When the author asked her aunt about what she did after she stopped working at the tailor's shop. (pg159)

Resolution: Open-Ended

Characters:

• Ah Kaw (Fifth Aunt): tall(pg.109), high class(pg108), wealthy(pg109), Eurasian(pg109), arrogant(pg111), ungrateful(pg112)
  
• Narrator: poorer than Beverly(pg108), shorter than Beverly(pg109),sun yellow skin(pg109), does not think that tea is very important(pg115)
• Tailor: mean(pg155), caring(pg157)

The most interesting segment of this story for me is when the soldier came into the tailor's shop while they were working. I think this segment is interesting because it adds suspense to the story and a sense of thrill for the Author's aunt. This is also an incident that Fifth Aunt most remembers.