1. The irony of the story is that the taximan's beloved daughter went to cheat him and went to become a prostitute. That broke the taximan's heart as he had loved her and did not think that this kind of irony would happen to him.
2. The themes are: i. Self-dignity. -- Lay Choo did not demonstrate it.
ii. The abuse of the excuse of school activities. -- Lay Choo said that she had meetings and went to Orchard Road.
iii. Love of father. -- Father loved her daughter--> textual evidence --> he saved money for her to go to university.
iv. Perspective of taximan's family. --> Taximan told his version of story.
v. Irony -- see above
vi. Abuse of love -- Lay Choo did not respect his father who gave her so much love.
3.The story is very realistic as nowadays, students always use the excuse of school activities to go out and gamble, play, shop etc. However, teachers do not know this most of the time. Hence, I believe that the communication and interaction between parents and teachers is very important to prevent such things from happening.
4. I think the taximan is very greedy and and the same time should be sympathised of. He already objected her daughter to become a prostitute. However, now he goes to Elroy Hotel where many of them are there as he wants to earn more money. Hence, he should set a good example for his daughter to follow. At the same time, he is using this money to help his daughter to go to University. However, Lay Choon misuses his love and do the things that is not right for her to do.
5. I agree with his lamenting in some parts and am against other past. I agree with him lamenting about the behaviour and acts of his daughter but am against him lamenting about people bargaining with him. He should be more concerned about his family's well-being instead of complaining about petty matters.
6. I sympathise with the taximan's eldest daughter. She is so obedient and filial towards her parents but does not have good health whereas the second daughter is so unfilial but is healthy and strong. I also sympathise with the teacher as she does not know the condition of students nowadays. Being a teacher, she should know her students the best as they spend half of their time there.
Hi Joshua! You have interesting views here. Do note that the teenagers here are not prostitutes! They are more like social escorts or wayward teenagers trying to get Caucasian boyfriends. Your response to Qn.2 is interesting - you've clearly put in effort. Still, note that your answers are rather questionable - irony is not a theme. It is a literary device! Also (ii) and (iv) and (vi) are aspects, not themes of the story. Anyway, do continue updating your blog with meaningful posts! It's most heartening that you've been blogging conscientiously.
ReplyDelete-Miss Lim.