Paper

-"An addict after his opiate"
-"And he went on hopinh against hope"

The martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues

-"An adhesive ensnaring quality"
-"Constituition had hitherto been sound"

Sundowner

-"A rush of cold water would streamline his thoughts"
-"Day was breaking in another part of the Empire -an Empire on which the sun never set"

Tanjong rhu

-"Muffled roar of rush-hour traffic droned on"
-"Few stray of flakes of ash from the incense urn into the air"

Evening under Frangipani

-"I don't agree...marriage has got nothing to do with the fulfilment of a woman as woman"
-"Thundering torrent of desire bursting through his arteries"

Lee

-"Flicking an infinitesimal speck of dust"
-"I suppose that's a bit of Cliche"

A history of tea

-"That habit lingered long.."
-"Sometimes the sun shines strong enough.."

A dream of china

-"Fate holds a grudge against him"
-"Stirred up dormant feelings in this pathetic wreck of a man"

Release

-"The moonlight glanced off her cheek"
-"Blinded by the scream that filled her mind"

An orbituary for Fifth aunt come late

-"No one had run hands over the once-different terrain of her body"
-"We don't have a photograph of her"

Corridor

-"Bougainvillaea petals would litter the tarred footpaths"
-"Warm amber lights.."

Mid-autumn

-"The wind cannot extinguish theredglow that flickers in the darkness"
-"It felt like her tears raining on me"

Hamid and the hand of fate

-"Fractured conversations about everything"
-"Notion of of ambition and ability was confined to dressing stylishly.."

The move

-"And they began trundling northward up the island to a new life"
-"Sadness was finding her drowned pregnant form by moonlight"

Pastime

-"Even simple things nowadays are so difficult"
-"I turned again to the scene beyond the window glass"

Literature homieworkie >:)

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

Vinod's parent to child relationship is strained because of his parent's busy lifestyle which needs them to always be among the socially high-class people. Vinod lacks their love, affections, care and also is deprived of their attention. He therefore does not depend on them and think that he is not important to them. They doesn't give time for him and therefore he is left all by himself. This shows the lack of communication between them which is shown by vinod's parent absence in the play and his life.

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 with this analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy as Vinod's has always been giving himself high expectations. Two examples are his academic achievements. He always wants to top the class. His result in giving himself high expectations is also contributed by his parents high expectations of him too. Another example is his high expectation in protecting Saloma. He sees saloma as a "lost kitten" who needed his guidance and need him. When saloma was getting better and didn't quite need him. Vinod felt threatened to lose her. Thus his high expectations caused his downfall which is his death at the end of the play.


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

Saloma transformation in the play is due to the supports she gains. From her mother whom gives her support by reminding her to turn to god for help and often advices from her. This shows the care and concern mak has for Saloma. Apart from Mak, Emily also played a role in Saloma's transformation. Emily gave saloma the self-confidence and courage. Both Emily and Mak has help saloma in transforming. Saloma's will to want to fit into the society has also helped her. Thus these are the reasons for her transformation.

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?

To some extent, i agree to this assesment. Razali is important in both Saloma and Vinod's life. Eventhough he is a minor character, he is a key to the plot of Off centre. He seemed to understand both of them very well and also he is able to communicate with them. Both of them depended on Razali and trusted Razali to an extent calling him "bapak". Razali is a key to the plot of Offcentre but he is not the main key to it. Thus i agree to some extent on this assesment.

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.

The major characters in the play are Vinod and Saloma as we know. Vinod exert control by controlling saloma's life which is clearly shown by his actions. An example when he told her that he did not want her to change. Saloma exert control in refraining her illness to control her. This thus helped her in her transformation to become better again.

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 vital and important to social status and mental well-being as each individuals wanted to be accepted by the society. It would lead to the individual thinking he or she is not important and thus the mental state will be affected. Everyone in the world wants to have friends but when friends themselves is shunned at the sight of an invidual. All faith and confidence of a person is shattered for friends play a role in everyone's life. Family support is also crucial and important for each individuals need their family to always be there for them. Family support is the upmost important for both Saloma and Vinod and it also shows us how it affects their lives. Saloma able to recover while vinod's end is a tragedy.

Literatuure. :D

1. "However, China had nothing to say to my spirit, if indeed land speaks to spirit. My spirit was as alien here as I was. It inclined towards a diamond city of trees and meaningful occupation, efficiently sparkling in the modern world. that was where I truly belonged, among skyscrapers with glass fonts and gold-encrusted orchids."
Do you think the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt? Why or why not? How would you describe your feelings towards Singapore, using imagery you feel suitable?

The reference to Singapore being as a 'diamond city' is apt. This is because Singapore is a modern and an urbanized country filled with skyscrapers and of such examples above. Referring to a country by using the term 'diamond city' means that he is comfortable living there. This then shows that apart from living in China when he was young. He finds Singapore to be the country where he truly belonged. Among skyscrapers with glass front and gold encrusted orchids. To me, Singapore is a country where it is safe to live in. We have our own space and privacy. Singapore also protects its citizen. Therefore to me singapore is like an umbrella. Shelter us from the 'rain' and keep us 'dry'.

2. "With great grandness, my uncle ordered orange drinks from the waiter. He criticized the glasses as dirty when the drinks arrived and insisted on new ones..... I kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with suck relish."
Why do you think her uncle behaves in this manner? Do you feel sorry for him or do you regard him with distaste, as his niece does?

I do not feel sorry for him but i regard him with distaste. It is contradicting to feel sorry when he ordered the drinks with great grandness. I think that her uncle behaves this way as he wants to be like the local singaporeans. China's culture and singapore's are very different and i don't think that her uncle could adapt to Singapore's in a short period of time. I also feel that he is doing this to hide his poor background back in China. This then shows how his plight is back in China. Therefore i agree with his niece that i regard him with distaste and not feeling sorry.

3. "I returned to Singapore alienated from the china I saw, but no less eager to listen to my father's stories of the most beautiful lands."
Do you find this contradiction? Why or why not?

I do not find this a contradiction. Eventhough she has already returned from china which was very different than how her father had described, she still feel eager to listen to her father's stories of the most beautiful lands. Perhaps, the times had change from her father's time and the present. She still wanted to hear her father's stories which means that she is still interested to know how her father sees China as. Thus, this to me is not a contradicting thing.

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

The first statement means that what the country becomes of, will depend on the people. I agree to a large extent that her father is a good man. He sent large amounts of money which was more than sufficient to his brother who is back in China. He also felt guilty and wrong to not go back to China when he was needed. This shows that he has a guilty conscience and knows what he did. To me, Singapore should claim him for its own as he had opportunities being here and that he has been here for quite a period of time. It is better for him to also be in Singapore as he has adapt to the lifestyle here and going back to China would make him feel out of place and also uncomfortable.

Literature :D

1) Do the respective authors use these traditional chinese rituals ( eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper and houses, lighting joss-sticks and praying to dead ancestors) just for irony or for more profound purposes? What are these purposes?

Profound purposes. Lighting joss-sticks and praying to ancestors shows that they still remember those who have already pass away. An example is the story 'Paper'. Tay Soon had always wanted a house which he planned on buying after saving up. Though, he was caught-up with the stock market. Became greedy and in the end he died. His mother then bought for him a house that he had always thought of. Perhaps for him in the afterlife.

2) Would you yourself, as a modern young Singaporean, see the relevance of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still, or are a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking?

Cultural rituals are still necessary in this modern complex. It is important to always respect the cutural rituals that exist. Society nowadays have been neglecting such cultural rituals and thus should not see it as a hindrance to progress and enlightened thinking. Cultural rituals are also tradional ways where have been passed on from generation to the next generation. Therefore, it is necessary of such cultural rituals to take place.

3)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?

Elderly in singapore are always generally seemed to be out of touch with the contemporary world. Due to their incompetency in technologies as Singapore is always upgrading and improvising itself. Though on the other hand, there are elderly singaporeans who still earn a living and are able to keep touch with the latest technologies. Thus not all elders in Singapore are out of touch with the contemporary world. It is a virtue to remain contented as she being contented means that she is happy with what she has. Though she must also be looking ahead in the future and not only be in her comfort-zone.

4)Is looking back at the past necessarily a good thing? This particular story uses the past to affirm strong ties, emotion and sentiment, but when can it become a negative habit?

Looking back into the past necessarily is a good thing. If it is necessary to do so. Some people always live in their past where they don't look forward to the future and this is unhealthy. This shows that the person is not letting go of the past and this will ultimately affect people around them. Therefore, looking back at the past necessarily is a good thing but also to have the discipline to not get carried away by the past.

Literature again. :D

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

Two stories are 'Tanjung rhu' and also 'The Move'. In tanjung rhu, Ah-Ma shows how elder generation thinks. Two examples are that Ah-Ma doesn't want Mr Li to splurge on his money and that she thought of the eye operation as unnecessary. She said she did not want her eyes to be sliced open. She also sees the past without literally 'see' it with her eyes. This is what the younger generation lack. The ability to remember the past clearly. This shows that the older generation treasures their past.

In the story 'The Move', Madam teo does not wish to move house as she treasure the memories she had while living in that house. She also has things that she would like to also bring to her new house but her son's thought of the things are that they are not necessary nor wanted, he insisted on throwing them away while Madam teo insist on keeping it as it holds memories of the past. This shows that the older generation treasures things more.

Literature yet again :D

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

In the stories 'The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues' and 'Mid-Autumn', motherhood is presented when Helena did not re-marry after Aloysius death which shows that she has devoted her time fully on bringing up George. Helena has brought up George all by herself and thus shows motherhood in the story of 'The Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues'.

In the story 'Mid-Autumn', motherhood is presented when she cares for her daughter, wanting her to always have the best. She also gives what her daughter needed. Wanting to provide the best for her daughter. She also respects her daughter's decision and still remember her daughter despite her daughter's abscence.

Select two stories in which there is conflict between parents and child, and show how far there is some resolution of these difference at the of th story.

Two stories in which there is conflict between parents and child are 'The move' and also 'Corridor'. The conflict in 'The Move' is when Mdm Teo wanted to bring many things to the new house. Though, they wouldn't let her. She also did not want to actually move house and was hesitant.

In the story 'Corridor',
Her son and daughter thought that she was not happy when she's at home and at the holiday when in actual fact, they are not at home to see how happy she is or how contented she is.

How are young people and their ideals presented in two stories in the collection?

Two stories are 'Evening under Frangipani' and also 'Hamid and the hand of fate'. In ' Evening under Frangipani', Prakash and Elaine has been in a relationship but through differences, it ended. The social class and the racial differences has certainly keep two people apart from being together.

The other story is 'Hamid and The hand of fate'. In this story, it shows how hamid decided to accept his fate and be 'sabar'. Though he couldn't see that people are actually making use of the compensation money he has. Especially his sister-in-law which was the one he has always love since school.

Literature Homework :D

Story: Evening under Frangipani

Conflicts

Internal conflict – Prakash was afraid he would mess up during his interview (pg 47)

External conflict – Prakash and Elaine argued about elaine’s beetle like hands (pg62)
The dinner Prakash had with Elaine and her parents (pg 58)

Climax
Climax – When Prakash and Elaine argued and broke up. (pg62)

Resolution
Resolution – Open-Ended

Characters
1)Prakash
- He is understanding towards Elaine .(pg50)
- He is able to work. (pg 48)
- He is nervous-wrecking. ; during the interview. (pg27)

2)Elaine
- She is a feminist. (pg49)
- She is caring, (pg53)
- She is casual. (pg51)
- She is not materialistic (pg51)

3)Elaine’s father
- He is passionate(pg 55)
- He is friendly( pg 55)
- He is also skinny ; his hands are all bones. (pg 55)


The most interesting segment is when Prakash when over to Elaine’s house for dinner.
Elaine’s mother was being treating Prakash coldly by being sacarstic. I find that interesting.

Story: Lee

Conflicts
Internal conflict – Lee’s father felt awkward to be in the car with lee. (pg 87)
Lee asked her father why he never wrote (pg 91)

External conflict between lee and her father (pg 91)

Climax
When lee’s father found lee and Holden Mankiewicz in his bedroom (pg 103)

Resolution
Complete resolution

Characters
1)lee
- She is sarcastic( the way she talks to he father, pg 87)
- Doesn’t have good vocabulary. (pg 98)

2)lee’s father
- Does not like attention (pg 98)
- He is jealous of Alan Piscopo(pg88)

3)Alan
- He dresses like a trucker(pg 89)
- He sometimes get a bit of a pretentious creep(pg 89)

The most interesting segment is when…
They had a family reunion.

Story: A History of Tea

Conflicts
When grandmother did not want to see aunt sherrie even at her death bed (pg 115)
When grandmother felt that she had made a mistake towards her parents (pg 117)

Climax
It is when grandmother was ashamed when what she had done is repeated to her (pg 117)

Resolution
The revelation (pg 122)

Characters

1)Beverly
she is assured (pg 109)
she is materialistic

2)Grandmother
she is hot headed (pg 115)
she holds onto her past (pg 120)

3)Tien Yee
he is calm (pg 110)
he is dedicated (pg 112)
He is not materialistic.

The most interesting segment is when…
The grandfather helped those involved in the war when he was a merchant and gave food and tea to them.

Story: Release

Conflicts

When the new neighbour shouted at Eileen. (pg 139)
When the neighbour said the Eileen was like her dog that is pregnant. (pg 140)

Climax
It is when the puppies started whining and whimper in the night (pg 143)

Resolution
Ironic resolution

Characters

1)Eileen
- She is friendly( pg 139)
- She is helpful (pg 140 & 141)
- She is forgetful (140)

2)Philip
- He cares only about himself (pg 143)
- He finds work more important than Eileen (pg 145)

3)Neighbours
- They are rude (pg 140,141)
- They are not friendly( pg 139)


The most interesting segment is when…
When the man mistook what Eileen was trying to say and killed the dogs.

Story: An Orbituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late

Conflicts
The writer did not remember her fifth aunt (pg 156)

Climax
When she was sent to live with ah ting’s family who will take care of her bronchitis. (pg 160)

Resolution
Complete resolution (pg 161)

Characters
1)Aunt
- She is good at housework(pg 149)
- She is clumsy (pg 149)
- She is hardworking (pg 160)
- She is somewhat forgotten (pg 161)

2)Mother
- She is loving (pg 161)
- She is caring (pg 153)

3)Author
- She is forget about who her aunt really is (pg 149)
- She is able to grow fast in terms of height. (pg 149)


The most interesting segment is when…
The author describes about her aunt.

Story: Pastime

Conflicts
When Tai Poh made up the different stories(pg 213)
When Mr Lee said that everything he said earlier was just a story(pg 220)

Climax
The mrt incident when the man saw the girl who looked like the girl in the sepia photo (pg 215)

Resolution
The revelation (pg 220)

Characters
1)Tai Poh
- Likes to make up stories
- He is very good when telling stories (pg 213)
- He looks out for his friends (pg 217 )

2)Mr Lee
- He is smart (pg 218)

3)The man with a limp
- He is afraid( pg 216)
- He fears the past(pg 216)
- He is persistent (pg 214)
- He is loyal (pg 213)

The most interesting segment is when…Tai poh tells the stories.