ISLAND VOICES QUOTES

PAPER

1. "You're a show-off, what's so grand about marble flooring and a swimming pool? Why don't you put your money to better use?" (pg 03)

2. " Oh we'll just leave her alone. I was kind enough to offer to help her make money,but since she's so nasty and ungrateful, we'll leave her alone." (pg 05)

THE MARTYRDOM OF HELENA RODRIGUES

1. " Just in case you brought anyone home, dear." (pg 11)

2. Helena's tactics enabled her to tyrannize most people-with normally sensitive consciences.

SUNDOWNER

1. "Only in the mornings, tuan. They could stop if tuan wishes." (pg 22)

2. "It's the children i think about the most, John. The coolies spend all their money on drink and the children are just skin and bone and riddled with disease." (pg 25)

TANJUNG RHU

1. And yet, Mr Li was not ready to go. (pg 27)

2. " Here's our son's almost through Cambridge, and Ying about to leave for New York next month, and still he buys toys for them!" (pg 30)

EVENING UNDER FRANGIPANI

1.' I don't suppose you have much in the way of soup at home. Difficult to drink soup with your hands." (pg 59)

2.

LEE

1. " Man, it'll really be funny calling someone Dad again. The guy mom lived with - Alan Piscopo_he didn't like me calling him Dad; he said the future of the nuclear family unit was doomed and parents were jut another symbol of repression."

2. It constantly amazed him to see her coming out of a room, calling him Dad. (pg 93)

A HISTORY OF TEA

1. Hers in a pot, trimmed at the top and base in blue and golden pattern-Japanese imitating Royal Doulton-with matching cup, saucer, tiny jug of milk, a plated spoon and tea strainer on its own base, all worked on a gleaming tray with roses and briars worked onto the handles.

2.

AN OBITUARY FOR FIFTH AUNT COME LATE

A DREAM OF CHINA

1. " Whenever he sees anything particularly beautiful he sys that's how it is in China. You mustn't believe all of it tou know!"(pg 124)

2. " Did you send money?" (pg 130)

RELEASE

1.

Essay questions.

(1) In you opinion, how key is the parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end?

In my opinion, parent-child relationship plays an important role in Vinod's life. One of the reason why he committed suicide was because of the lack of support he get from his parents. His parents was way to busy with their own business to even bother about Vinod. They weren't there for Vinod in all of his sufferings, in fact, they expect Vinod to live his life in a very fast-forward pace. Despite knowing his illness, they still continued to apply for him to an overseas university to study. I think that Vinod's inevitable ending has got to do with the lack of parental love that he received.

(2)' Vinod's high expectation of himself caused his downfall.' To what extent do you agree with this analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy?

It is obvious that Vinod set's a high expectation for himself and the people around him. His high expectation may be another reason to his tragedy that he faced before he committed suicide. Firstly, Vinod set quite a high expectation in terms of his academics. He expects himself to do well and be top in everything. But when he fails to achieve so, he gets upset and this will definitely worsen his condition. Secondly, he expect to protect Saloma 24/7. It is ironic as he can't even take care of himself. During the robbery, it turns out that Saloma was the one protecting Vinod when he broke down. Vinod somehow felt useless and it adds on to his depression.

(3)Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.

In this play, instead of Vinod getting better, Saloma is the one who faces the most transformation. I think this is because Saloma's mindset is positive whereas Vinod thinks lowly of himself. In my opinion, Vinod is getting weaker and weaker due to him not showing any effort in helpnig himself get better. Even Saloma knows that she has to constantly take her medication in order for her to get well, but on the other hand, inod does not take his pills. He gave excuses saying that the pills only hides his illness, not totally heal it. Saloma knows that she has to take her pills and visit the doctors for consultation. She makes the effort to be normal. Vinod does not.

(4)"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?

-_-

(5) "Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyata" means to " Give, Symphatise, Control". How did the major characters in the play exert control on their environment and/or their lives? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

err.

(6) Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.

From the text Off Centre, it is shown that peer acceptance and family support is vital to social status and well being through Saloma and Vinod's friendship.

QUOTES FROM OFF CENTRE

Act One Scene Three :

"I want to talk to other people, but very hard.[slight pause] I'm not mad." (pg 23)

Act One Scene Four :

"Azan!! Why you say that name? Hah? WHY?!! Kenapa ni saloma?" (pg 40)

Act Two Scene Two :

"They are jealous because i am special. They are jealous because i am special." (pg 56)

Act Three Scene One :

"You won't... you won't shout shout in the middle of the night right? We all damn scared." (pg83)

Act Four Scene One :

"I don't want to see you for a long long time" (pg 104)

literature discussion 2

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







Story: Evening Under Frangipani



In the story Evening Under Frangipani, Elaine's mother is very particular about Elaine's relationship with Prakash. Since Prakash comes from a very different class from Elaine, her mother doesn't really acknowledge their relationship. This days, it is rather rare to still find parents who have the mindset like Elaine's mother. This only proves to the fact that older generations think differently than teenagers. With this, it is likely that both mother and daughter will end up in more conflicts. It is shown that Elaine and her mother have had multiple arguments. Evidence can be found at page 58 and 59. It concludes that older generation have a different mindset. From the revelation, i've realized that older generations who are our parents,think differently from us, teenagers. They are still thinking from the olden days.




Story: The Move.
in this story, Madam teo do not wish to move house because the house have memorable memories about her famliy and her a husband. but her son, tommy wants to throw the thing that he thinks that is useless or unwanted. this shows that the older generation really treasure the things but the younger generation do not. when they want they will keep but when they do not want they will throw away. the older generation prefer sons to daughters because sons carry the family name. from this revalation, I've realized that the older generation are sentimental

literature discussions

Q1: How is motherhood presented in any two stories in the collection?

Story : Mid-Autumn

In the story Mid-Autumn, motherhood is presented when the mother bought lantern for her daughter. Evidence found in page 177 of the book. This goes to show that the mother really cared for her daughter as the daughter really wanted a Mickey Mouse lantern instead of the candle lantern which she initially wanted to buy for her daughter. It also concludes that there is motherhood in the begginning of the story. Another example of motherhood would be the mother paying for all her daughter's education which includes, tuition, ballet, art and piano fees. Evidence can be found in page 180. This adds to the fact that the mother loves her daughter and wants her to do well in the future. In all, motherhood is presented in a way that the mother really wants whats best for her daughter.

Story : Paper

In Paper, mother asked Tay Soon and his wife not to play with stocks, they did not heed the advice. The evidence found in page 3 of the book. This shows that mothers really knows what's best for their childrens. They regretted not listening to the mother only when the stocks start to crash. This concludes that even though Tay Soon was rude to his mother, his mother still bothered to advice him. Another situation happened at the end of the story when Tay Soon passed away. Despite being treated badly, Tay Soon's mother still bought him his 'dream house'. She paid for all the funeral expenses. Evidence found in page 9 of the book. Conclusion is, mothers still wants what's best for their child even if they were treated badly. This proves that motherhood is presented in the stories.

Q2: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.

Story: Lee
In the story Lee, both internal and external conflicts were shown. Internal conflict happened when Li Wen's dad picked her up from the airport. When they were in the car, her father was thinking so bad of what to say to Lee. Evidence found in page 87 of the book. This proves that tere is conflict in the story Lee. Besides that, external conflict is also shown when Lee's dad found her in his bedroom with a guy. They were in bad terms for two weeks. Evidence found in page 103. There was a resolution to the this story is a complete resolution.

Story: Corridor
In this story, external conflict is shown. The daughter thought that her mother is not happy at home so, her daughter decided to bring her for a holiday in Jakarta. In the hotel, a conflict occur. The daughter ask her mother to try to be happy because she spent alot for the trip. Her mother said that she is happy even though she refused to follow the family to go out. Evidence found in page 164-165. This shows that a simple conversation can lead to a conflict. The resolution is i an open ending.

Q3. With reference to a suitable stories, discuss how far change is shown to be either welcomed or feared.

Story: The Move
In this story, Madam Teo is a sentimental person. She cannot let go of her past. She insisted of bringing her things along. Her son advised her that she cannot bring all her things espeacially the pomegranate palnt because the plant is huge. She wants to bring it along the palnt have been with her for long time since her granddaughter , Melissa and Florence were born. Her son, Tommy said that the new place do not have big corridor like their old house.The evidence found in page 204. In the end, she only snapped off a branch off the plant and put in a moist tissue hoping that one day that there will be a sapling of the promegranate plant.The evidence found in page 210. She took a branch of the plant so that the memories will not go away even through the origanal plant is not with her. The change of this story is that at last Madam Teo can accept the fact that she has to move on to the future and do not need to stay with the past.
Q4: How are young people and their ideals presented in two stories in the collection? How far do you identify with these young people?


Story: Mid Autumn
In this story, the daughter thinks that after she become a general practitioner, she can forget about her parents. She wants things to go on her own way. She wants to go to Uganda to be the general practitioner.





Individual:

Q1 : How are young people and their ideals presented in two stories in the colection? How far do you identify with these young people?

Story : Lee

In the story Lee, young people play an important role. Lee is an example. Young people this days do not really care how they act in front of their parents. From Lee, you can see that Li Wen speaks very harshly to her father. Evidence can be found in page 87 and page 90 of the book. This shows that the way they present themselves is totally rude and wrong.

Besides that, young people nowadays also dress inappropriately. In the story Lee, dressing inappropriately means dressing 'skimpily'. Evidence found in page 91. Lee went out wearing extremely short shorts. Nowadays, it is common to see ladies on the streets dressing inappropriately. In my own opinion, it is not proper. But it is entirely up to individuals. That's the matter today, young people, or teenagers, do not care how they talk, act or dress.

Pastime

(6) Story: Pastime

Conflict
External : Both Mr Lee and Tai Poh are trying to trick each other into admitting something.
Internal : Mr lee was laughing silently as he thinks that Tai Poh was trying to fool him
Climax : When Mr Lee told Tai Poh his own story
Resolution:

Characters
1)Mr Lee

2)Tai Poh

3)



The most interesting segment is…..

An Obituary for Fitfth Aunt Come Late

(5)Story: An Obituary for fifth Aunt come late
Conflict:




Climax: When the war came (pg 156)
Resolution: Complete resolution

Characters

1)Fifth aunt: She is hardworking
She is patient

2)Narrator/niece: She cares for her aunt but didn't show.

3)Grandmother:

The most interesting segment is…..

Release

(4) Story: Release

Conflict: Eileen & the Female Neighbor.
-The neighbor compared Eileen together with their dog as they were both pregnant; this showed a form of disrespect.

Climax: In the middle of the night when Eileen could no longer take the noise. She decided to approach the neighbours.

Resolution: Open-ended.

Characters
1)Eileen: She is friendly (tried to be nice to the new neighbours, pg 139)
She is patient (pg 140)

2)Philip(husband): He is sarcastic (talks to Eileen in a sarcastic tone, pg 141)
He is not caring (don’t bother about his wife, pg 141)
He is a workaholic ( work is more important, pg 143)

3)Neighbours: They are rude (the way she speaks to Eileen, pg 139)
They are inconsiderate(pg 142)


The most interesting segment is…..
The fights between Eileen and the neighbours. Somehow, I find their fights very funny and it kind of bring the story alive.

A History Of Tea

(3) Story: A history of Tea
Conflicts: Internal conflicts:



Climax :The climax is when Beverly and Tien Yee met again after so many years.

Resolution: omplete ending

Characters
1) Tien Yee: He is shorter than Beverly. (pg 109)
He is a little poorer compared to Beverly. (he only has his tea in a mug, pg 108)

2)Beverly: She is high class/posh. (pg 109)
She has a discerning taste for tea(She knows how aperfect tea taste like, pg 109)
She is arrogant(in her tone of speech, pg 111)

3)Grandmum: She is mean (refer Uncle Raja as an oily man, pg 112)
She is a racist(pg 112)
She is harsh(in her words, pg 112)


The most interesting segment of the story is…..

The part where the family tree was mentioned. Even though it was confusing at first, that part of the story actually tells me their relations with each other.

Lee

(2) Story: Lee
Conflicts: Internal conflict : Lee’s dad felt awkward to be in the car with Lee (pg 87) External conflict : Lee’s dad scolded Lee when Lee started complaining about God, pg 97)
Climax : When Lee talked about her mother’s death (pg 99)
Resolution: Complete resolution


Characters
1)Li Wen(Lee): She is rude (with her way of speaking to her father, pg87)
She is vulgar (said words she’s not suppose to say to her dad. Pg 90)
She is conscious (about her body and health, pg 91)
2)Lee’s father: He is patient (even when her daughter is rude to him, pg 90)
He is proud to be a Chinese (tries to make Lee interested in Chinese stuff, pg 102)

3)Lee’s mother:



The most interesting segment is when…….
Lee and the father started to talk about the past.

Evening Under Frangipani

(1) Story: Evening Under Frangipani

Conflicts: Internal conflict : Prakash was afraid that he’ll mess up his interview (pg 47) External conflict : Prakash and Elaine argued about women’s rights (pg49)
Climax : When Prakash and Elaine broke up (pg 62)
Resolution • Open-Ended

Characters
1)Prakash : He is a nervous-wreck(during job interview,pg27)
He is competent (able to work, pg 48)
He is understanding (towards Elaine, pg 50)
2)Elaine : She is a feminist (believes women and men are the same, pg 49)
She is caring (towards Prakash, pg 53)
She is casual (dress casually, pg 51)

3)Father : He is passionate (about what he does, studying insects. Pg 55)
He is easy-going (was friendly when Prakash came over, pg 55)
He is skinny (his hands are all bones, pg 55)

The most interesting segment is when…….
Prakash came over to Elaine’s house. The fact that Elaine’s mother gave Prakash the cold shoulder was very interesting. Elaine’s mother was also sarcastic towards Prakash. It shows that Elaine’s mother was not fond of Prakash and it made me want to keep on reading.