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.