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?
I think Singapore can be labelled as a diamond city to a certain extent. As singapore is a very urbanized country. And being labelled as a diamond city can also mean that singapore is as precious and expensive as a diamond. which can be looked at from a positive or negative point of view. expensive being luxiourous, or expensive being the cost of living is very high. Compared to China.
Towards singapore, I feel very safe and secure as we don't have to worry about natural disasters and terrorist attacks as the security here is very high. i think Singapore is like a shelter. it protects the people and it provides us with a place to live in. providing a sense of security and peace, with the help of everyone.
2. With great grandness, my uncle ordered orange drinks from the waiter. He criticized the glasses as dirty when the drinks arrived and isisted on new ones...I kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with such 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 think her uncle acted this way to feel alittle superior or richer than he is. Maybe he is trying to hide his background and the little bits and pieces of his character that shows he is poor. As usually the rich would be very particular about little details. I feel sorry for him, I think even in the pitiful state that he is in. He still don't see that he should do something about it. i feel sorry for him because of his stupidity and stubborness in rejecting the thought of changing for his family.
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 of beautiful lands."
Do you find this a contradiction? why or why not?
Yes. she saw the bad sides of China and the bad sides of her father's family. the so called return to save China act was just a front. after knowing about all that she still looks forward to hearing stories about that same place from her father that have not even stepped on it's land for a long long time.
4. "A country is only as good as it's men. my father is a good man... whichever country can claim him as it's 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 it's own?
the narrator is trying to say that if the country is filled with people that are lazy and and no moral values in treasuring the country and trying to bring it to it's peak. then the country is, in a sense a failure. she is saying singapore is a good country thats why her father stayed in singapore.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Paper & Tanjong Rhu
Q1. Do the respective authors use these traditional Chinese rituals (eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper money and houses, lighting joss-sticks and praying to dead ancestors) just for irony or of profound purposes? What are these purposes?
From my point of view, i think they use these chinese rituals not just for irony. both authors are trying to convey the message of these traditions. and they believe that eating the burnt paper with water is a way of praying for peace and health. Burning of paper money s also another way to provide for the dead.
Q2. Would you yourself , as a modern young Singaporean, see the relevance of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still are hindrance to the progress and enlightened?
As I myself am a singaporean, i think these traditions are useful as they teach the younger generations on how to appreciate and see the importance of keeping their culture.
Q3. 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 a person especially an elderly one.
From my point of view the elderly are not really in touch with the world of technology as most of them only use things like handphones which do not require alot of skills to punch in afew numbers and the call button. Even though there are some elderly using computers and other machinary. They are just a minority. Mrs Li should not have that kind of thinking as the world is ever changing.
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 habits?
Looking back may or may not be a good thing. some people tend to look into the past too much and thus it becomes a disadvantage. but looking into the past to learn from other's mistake is a good thing. "too much of anything is never good" from this quote we can tell that if everything is done in moderation. it will all work out fine.
Q1. Do the respective authors use these traditional Chinese rituals (eating paper dissolved in drink, burning of paper money and houses, lighting joss-sticks and praying to dead ancestors) just for irony or of profound purposes? What are these purposes?
From my point of view, i think they use these chinese rituals not just for irony. both authors are trying to convey the message of these traditions. and they believe that eating the burnt paper with water is a way of praying for peace and health. Burning of paper money s also another way to provide for the dead.
Q2. Would you yourself , as a modern young Singaporean, see the relevance of such cultural rituals in your society as necessary still are hindrance to the progress and enlightened?
As I myself am a singaporean, i think these traditions are useful as they teach the younger generations on how to appreciate and see the importance of keeping their culture.
Q3. 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 a person especially an elderly one.
From my point of view the elderly are not really in touch with the world of technology as most of them only use things like handphones which do not require alot of skills to punch in afew numbers and the call button. Even though there are some elderly using computers and other machinary. They are just a minority. Mrs Li should not have that kind of thinking as the world is ever changing.
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 habits?
Looking back may or may not be a good thing. some people tend to look into the past too much and thus it becomes a disadvantage. but looking into the past to learn from other's mistake is a good thing. "too much of anything is never good" from this quote we can tell that if everything is done in moderation. it will all work out fine.
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