Based on what you have read from the two articles on Ms Siti's unfortunate and horrific experience as a maid, reflect deeply before you answer the next two questions:
(1) What rights do you think that humans have over others?
(2) What do the articles state about how humans treat each other in our modern world of today?
I am expecting a thought-provoking response from each of you and that would mean no less than 100 words per comment. The dateline for this online reflection is 9 July 2009.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Unseeing
In 'Unseeing', Anna and Joseph were trapped in an unhappy marriage - Anna had sacrificed her religious pursuit and even though she tried to improve the situation by being a dutiful wife, she remained childless; Joseph had always wanted a loving wife whom he can have children with but had married an unwillingly and barren woman instead.
At the end of the story, we learned that Joseph's apology to Anna during his illness was not for something that she had thought it was for; rather, it was because he had another family. It was until the last day of his funeral that his eyes finally closed after his 'mistress' had visited him with their children.
We know that he had been waiting for her to appear.Why do you think that Joseph could finally close his eyes and rest in peace (or maybe not! we wouldn't know for sure)?
Just a few possible speculations:- peace: he finally saw his beloved 'family'- a relief: he knew that Anna now knows that truth and would not hold it against him because he is dead- a revenge: he had always felt angry and unloved by Anna so he wanted to spite her by showing her that he had found someone better than her- forgiveness: telling Anna indirectly that he has never blamed her for not loving him wholeheartedly and being barren- a favour: to show Anna that she is released from the marriage chains and that she can continue her religous pursuits.
There are many more possibilities if you think hard enough. Surprise me!
At the end of the story, we learned that Joseph's apology to Anna during his illness was not for something that she had thought it was for; rather, it was because he had another family. It was until the last day of his funeral that his eyes finally closed after his 'mistress' had visited him with their children.
We know that he had been waiting for her to appear.Why do you think that Joseph could finally close his eyes and rest in peace (or maybe not! we wouldn't know for sure)?
Just a few possible speculations:- peace: he finally saw his beloved 'family'- a relief: he knew that Anna now knows that truth and would not hold it against him because he is dead- a revenge: he had always felt angry and unloved by Anna so he wanted to spite her by showing her that he had found someone better than her- forgiveness: telling Anna indirectly that he has never blamed her for not loving him wholeheartedly and being barren- a favour: to show Anna that she is released from the marriage chains and that she can continue her religous pursuits.
There are many more possibilities if you think hard enough. Surprise me!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Father and Son
After watching two short clips on Forever Fever - the first having the highly-favoured son announcing on his 21st birthday dinner that he was going for a sex operation; the second portraying the son who was cross-dressed (ie. man in woman's clothes) and facing his father.
It is vital to remember that the son, Leslie, said that he studied Medicine only because he wanted to live up to his parents' expectations and that he actually hated the subject all along. At age 21, he has now made a decision to stop living the kind of life that his family wanted; and it is time for him to be who he really wants to be.
In Singapore, we have to face our family and society's traditional values and judgement. To Leslie, he felt that he could only be the good son that he had always wanted to be by living out his parents' dreams for him to become a doctor. His father, in the second clip, could not even recognise him when his son came home looking for 'Hock' (his elder brother) dressed up like a woman.
Likewise in our Literature story, Father and Son , Andrew was influenced by several factors around him and decided to pursue his dreams. He also cross-dressed like Leslie and even boldly entered the Oriental Queen Competition. His father chased him out of the house like the one in Forever Fever as he claimed that he could not face his friends again. To him, he has lost a son (and thus published an obituary) because (1) his son has literally turned into a female (2) he wanted to forget his son (3) his expectations and hopes of his son had died. However, it is important to note that Andrew did not fulfil his parents' expectations by doing well in school or qualifying for the Medicine School.
Reflection question:If a close family member or relative is Andrew, how would you and your family react?
*Remember to discuss about tradititions and expectations that your family will have and why it is wrong / acceptable to have a member of the family becoming a transvesite.
It is vital to remember that the son, Leslie, said that he studied Medicine only because he wanted to live up to his parents' expectations and that he actually hated the subject all along. At age 21, he has now made a decision to stop living the kind of life that his family wanted; and it is time for him to be who he really wants to be.
In Singapore, we have to face our family and society's traditional values and judgement. To Leslie, he felt that he could only be the good son that he had always wanted to be by living out his parents' dreams for him to become a doctor. His father, in the second clip, could not even recognise him when his son came home looking for 'Hock' (his elder brother) dressed up like a woman.
Likewise in our Literature story, Father and Son , Andrew was influenced by several factors around him and decided to pursue his dreams. He also cross-dressed like Leslie and even boldly entered the Oriental Queen Competition. His father chased him out of the house like the one in Forever Fever as he claimed that he could not face his friends again. To him, he has lost a son (and thus published an obituary) because (1) his son has literally turned into a female (2) he wanted to forget his son (3) his expectations and hopes of his son had died. However, it is important to note that Andrew did not fulfil his parents' expectations by doing well in school or qualifying for the Medicine School.
Reflection question:If a close family member or relative is Andrew, how would you and your family react?
*Remember to discuss about tradititions and expectations that your family will have and why it is wrong / acceptable to have a member of the family becoming a transvesite.
Welcome!
Welcome dear 2E2'09!
This is your class' Literature blog. You are allowed to comment on your friends' opinions, and all are allowed to have different perspectives, but make your remarks responsible and constructive. We are here to learn, and not to insult.
Before we proceed, here are some guidelines that all of you should adhere to:
(1) Write your name after your comment
(2) Check for grammatical mistakes (spelling, tenses, punctuation)
(3) Re-read your comment to see if it makes logical sense and that you have organised your argument properly
(4) Ensure that no Singlish (or Singapore slang) is present
I am looking forward to a fruitful and super-fun time with all my Literature classes for 2009, just like the many I had before you guys. Loosen up, pay attention and get ready for the ride!
This is your class' Literature blog. You are allowed to comment on your friends' opinions, and all are allowed to have different perspectives, but make your remarks responsible and constructive. We are here to learn, and not to insult.
Before we proceed, here are some guidelines that all of you should adhere to:
(1) Write your name after your comment
(2) Check for grammatical mistakes (spelling, tenses, punctuation)
(3) Re-read your comment to see if it makes logical sense and that you have organised your argument properly
(4) Ensure that no Singlish (or Singapore slang) is present
I am looking forward to a fruitful and super-fun time with all my Literature classes for 2009, just like the many I had before you guys. Loosen up, pay attention and get ready for the ride!
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