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?" - Page 3
2) "There is a devil in him" - Page 7
The Martydom of Helena Rodrigues
1) "Helena's tactics enabled her to tyrannize most people - with normally sensitive consciences" - Page 12
2) "George was kept tied to Helena's side" -Page 13
Sundowner
1) ""All right, sir," said the Malay, "Aman can speak English"" - Page 21
2) "Only in the mornings, tuan. They could stop if tuan wishes" - Page 22
Tanjong Rhu
1) "She has eaten more salt than you have rice" -Page 35
2) "They're special glasses, big ones to help you see things faraway." - Page 31
Evening Under Frangipani
1) "Their home was in a cul-de-sac lined with frangipani trees: their fragance sweet and cloying when in full blossom." -Page 53
2) "I'm so glad you've converted to Christianity. it would be such a pity if Elaine couldn't have beef." -Page 59
Lee
1) "Meat is poison" - Page 94
2) "I don't believe in God" - Page 97
A History of Tea
1) "Not my cup of tea" - Page 109
2) "A storm in a teacup" - Page 119
A Dream of China
1) "Could I get him out of China?" - Page 123
2) "My father is a good man" - Page 123
Release
1) "Don't give birth to as many as this dog's going to have." - Page 140
2) "She sat down, blinded by the scream that filled her mind." - Page 148
An Obituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late
1) "She was my aunt but I didn't make it a point to be her niece." - Page 149
2) "No one is sure or will say how old she was." - Page 161
Corridor
1) "You just stay in the hotel room the whole day." - Page 164
2) "Who said I wasn't happy at home? You all go to work whole day never see me in the house." - Page 165
Mid-Autumn
1) "Mummy, don't be sad, can always buy new one." - Page 179
2) "I stayed in my teaching job so I could afford the best education for my daughter." - Page 180
Hamid and the Hand of Fate
1) "Would one hand make a good enough embrace." - Page 189
2) "He always made sure he had enough in his wallet to satisfy her, going to the bank almost every week now." - Page 201
The Move
1) "Ma, you are not taking those footstools!" - Page 204
2) "Remember how Melissa and I would wait forever for the first pomegranate of the year to turn red?" - Page 206
Pastime
1) "This is just a story, you understand?" - Page 2132) "It's a hobby , a pastime , it's not real life" - Page 220
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1) “Everything is so void. Who are we trying to avoid?"–Vinod / Act Two/ Scene III / Page 63 2) “We are strong. Nothing can destroy us!”-Saloma / Act Three/ Scene III / Page 95 3) “Eh, your boyfriend coward ah...Eh, your boyfriend no balls ah?”-Robber / Act Three/ Scene III/ Page 96 4) “Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata. Give. Sympathise. Control.”-Emily / Act Four/ Scene I/ Page 103 5) "We're f**king Singaporeans and Asian societies can't touch touch hug hug right?!!"-Vinod / Act Five/ Scene III/ Page 129
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1. In your opinion , how key is the parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end ?
In my opinion, Vinod's parents who are successful lawyers gave him the education and oppotunities that many others would love to have, and want him to be as successful as them. They think that by giving him education and pushing him to the top would make him happy and successful. But little do they know that he does not want the certificates at all. He studied for the sake of fufiling his parent's dream. Thus causing the pressure and stress that led him to depression and finally his tragic suicide. Although there are other factors that contributed to his suicide, his parents were the ones that pushed him to his limits and even after he falls into depression, they do not want to face the truth and think that it is all an excuse. Thus accumulated pressure and stree on him lead him to his suicide at the end.
2. 'Vinod's high expectation oh himself caused his downfall." To what extent do you agree with the analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy ?
I agree to a large extent with the analysis. I think that Vinod's desperation to reintegrate into the society has caused his illness to worsen
I agree to large extent with the analysis. His desperation to reintegrate into the society has caused his illness to worsen because of the physical consequences, e.g. his handshakes and people shun him when they see his hands tremble, a side-effect of the medicine as a result he opposes consuming medicine which is necessary to control the symptoms of the illness. His rejection to the medicine can be seen when he said “They see my hands tremble, my eyes sleepy sleepy they will avoid me”. His relationship between Saloma and him is like a project for him. To him Saloma is a kitten he has found, one that he had to protect. Without the friendship, he has no purpose in life. Saloma is his centre. It is clear that Vinod regards Saloma as his inferior in terms of education, He often treat her as someone who needs information, and frequently displays his knowledge about books and philosophy. It is also apparent that Vinod regards he as an inferior in terms of mental girth, which is why he is so devastated when he realizes that she has become stronger than he is after the robbery. Vinod’s presumptuous air of superiority pushes him to reject Saloma when she becomes stronger than him. Instgead of being happy for Saloma when she finally makes progress to be reintegrated into society, Vinod becomes unhappy, even distraught. He hurts her by hurling insults and discouraging her like saying “Great! Saloma Nightingale. Who will faint first? The person receiving the injection or the person giving it?” His inability to protect Saloma and Saloma slowly reintegrating into the society made him feel inferior to her. His failure to become “centre” has made him suicidal with his rejection to medicine. Thus lead to his downfall. Therefore I agree to a large extent to the analysis of his high expectation leading him to his downfall
3. Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play .
Saloma changes from a shy girl to one who survives from mental illness. She's even able to reason out with mak at the end. As she expresses her desires to live.
The first turning point for Saloma is when she meets Emily at the halfway house. Even though she starts out using the mantra, Emily taught tentatively, she does turn out to be the stronger chatracter between her and Vinod. For instance, although Vinod is the better educated one between the two, Saloma is one who is set on writing to the newspaper to address the discrimination against mental patients.When Vinod shuts himself in his room, Saloma grows desperate without him.
What becomes the turning point for her, pushing out to face the real world, is the bird in her room. Whether this bird is real or a figment of her imagination is not the point.This marks the second turning point for Saloma because before Vinod withdrew from the world, including her, she did not know what to do with her self, even where to go or what to do.
One night also argue that Mak is a reason for Saloma's transformation and survival. After all, Mak is constantly reminding her of her need to turn to God, an idea which Saloma accepts and even repeats to Vinod.
4. "Though a minor role in the play , the character Razali is the key to the plot of off centre." To what extent do you agree with this assement ?
I do not agree with this assement to a large extend. To Saloma, Razali plays a role that is like her dad, he is the one who buys epok epok (curry puff) for her just like what her deceased father promise, one who talks to her & gives her advices. He fufills the role of fatherly model to Saloma. However, to Vinod, he is someone that protects the community as he is a guard, he protect the people living at the block. However during the robber incident, he fails to help them and Vinod blames him for not being there to protect the both of them. Vinod is tested against his manhood when the robber said "Your boyfriend coward ah ?" and "Your boyfriend got balls anot ?", he breaks down and this series of events is similar those that he faced when he is in the army. Platoon Commandor (PC) asked Vinod, "Are you a man or not Vinod?" Razali plays a role to help both Vinod and Saloma, however, he is not the key to the plot of off centre.
5. "Datta , Dayadhvam , Damyata" means to "Give , Sympathise , Control". How did the major characters in the play exert control in their enviroment and / or their lives ? Support your answer with evidence from the text .
Major characters like Vinod exert control in their environment by his intelligence. As a person who thought that his life was over when he didn't get straight As for his A levels, and met Saloma whose education level was only up till VITB, he used his intelligence to "show off" to Saloma as he feels that Saloma needed information and to make himself feel better about himself. He would give his reasons and lectures Saloma on why the Gods are not good. Eg: The indian boy whose head got chop off by his own father because he didn't allow him into the house because he obey his mother because she said not to allow anybody to the house when she's taking a bath.
Vinod exert control in his live by being the better,smarter person between the both off centre person, namely himself and Saloma.As for Saloma, she exerts control by asking Vinod to take his medication. Like the medicine could help him get better but he think otherwise. She also exerts control at the last part of the play by asking Vinod to go the the dance with her when he didn't want to as he felt useless after the robbery.
In her life, Saloma exert control when mak ask her to stop taking the medicine as she feel that her own daughter is not mad at all and taking the medicine would not help. Saloma didn't listen to mak and this is how she exert control.
6. Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
Vinod's parents' marked absence in the play reveals their non-involvement in Vinod's life . They always leave Vinod alone to his own devices most of the time . Instead of being worried that Vinod has been shutting himself in room for weeks , they feel annoyed because they think that Vinod is taking advantage of their patience . He desires love and warmth but they are very proper and distant because of their high status . Therefore , Vinod is unable to get love and warmth from his parents and this is one of the reason that led to his death because of the abandonment from his parents .During Vinod's JC days , Charlie , Denise and Johnson were close to Vinod as they were in the same class . They associated with him because of his literary brillance and often made photocopies of his excellent work as model essays to learn from . However , after Vinod's nervous breakdown , they ceased contact with him . When Vinod met them at the NUS , Vinod realises that people will always remember and remind him of his breakdown . This is why Vinod believes he will never be able to get past his history and move on normally as he gets negative reactions from ex-classmates .From here , we can state that peer acceptance and family support is very important .
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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?A: I think that the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt. Diamond to me is something precious and rare which is well protected. I feel that I am safe living in Singapore and fortunate that I am born here too, because of the security of the country is tight which make sure all crimes will be at the minimum. I would describe Singapore like a complete package. In Singapore we have everything, technology, leisure, food and clothes which are imported from around the world. 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?
A: In my opinion, I think her uncle behaved this way because he was required to do all the hard work when he returned to China and suffer all the hardship that took place, but not her father who stayed in Singapore. He found it unfair for himself, and starts to demand more and more from his brother to recoup his losses in the early days. I do not feel sorry for him at all for it was his job to take charge of the life and he has no one to blame, but himself. He could have chosen to stay in Singapore and not return, but he did not. I do regard him with distaste for that he did not accept his mistakes and blame others for what he had done. 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?A: Yes, I find it contradicting. She did not find what her father said and what she saw any bit that's similar, but she is still willing to find out more about what her father thinks of China in his own heart without knowing that China has changed so much so that it's no longer the China he knew. She used beautiful land for she believes that her father stopped at that point of time that China was still a piece of beautiful and perfect land for her father to stay in. 4. "A country is only as good as its men. My father is a good man.... whichever country can clain 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?A: 'A country is only as good as its men.' I believe what the narrator is trying to convey is as long as he has confidence in the country, the country will be what the men believes. To a large extent I would agree her father is a good man. When he had to send more money to his brother in china, he did not grumble or complain a single thing to anyone. He might feel annoyed by his brother's behaviour, but he did not express it out, for he believed that his brother is still wonderful deep down in his heart. Thus he did not want to spoil his image in front of other people. In my opinion, Singapore should claim him for its own. It's only fair for him to enjoy his life in Singapore but not return to China to work hard again to support his brother.
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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?" - Page 3
2) "There is a devil in him" - Page 7
The Martydom of Helena Rodrigues
1) "Helena's tactics enabled her to tyrannize most people - with normally sensitive consciences" - Page 12
2) "George was kept tied to Helena's side" -Page 13
Sundowner
1) ""All right, sir," said the Malay, "Aman can speak English"" - Page 21
2) "Only in the mornings, tuan. They could stop if tuan wishes" - Page 22
Tanjong Rhu
1) "She has eaten more salt than you have rice" -Page 35
2) "They're special glasses, big ones to help you see things faraway." - Page 31
Evening Under Frangipani
1) "Their home was in a cul-de-sac lined with frangipani trees: their fragance sweet and cloying when in full blossom." -Page 53
2) "I'm so glad you've converted to Christianity. it would be such a pity if Elaine couldn't have beef." -Page 59
Lee
1) "Meat is poison" - Page 94
2) "I don't believe in God" - Page 97
A History of Tea
1) "Not my cup of tea" - Page 109
2) "A storm in a teacup" - Page 119
A Dream of China
1) "Could I get him out of China?" - Page 123
2) "My father is a good man" - Page 123
Release
1) "Don't give birth to as many as this dog's going to have." - Page 140
2) "She sat down, blinded by the scream that filled her mind." - Page 148
An Obituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late
1) "She was my aunt but I didn't make it a point to be her niece." - Page 149
2) "No one is sure or will say how old she was." - Page 161
Corridor
1) "You just stay in the hotel room the whole day." - Page 164
2) "Who said I wasn't happy at home? You all go to work whole day never see me in the house." - Page 165
Mid-Autumn
1) "Mummy, don't be sad, can always buy new one." - Page 179
2) "I stayed in my teaching job so I could afford the best education for my daughter." - Page 180
Hamid and the Hand of Fate
1) "Would one hand make a good enough embrace." - Page 189
2) "He always made sure he had enough in his wallet to satisfy her, going to the bank almost every week now." - Page 201
The Move
1) "Ma, you are not taking those footstools!" - Page 204
2) "Remember how Melissa and I would wait forever for the first pomegranate of the year to turn red?" - Page 206
Pastime
1) "This is just a story, you understand?" - Page 2132) "It's a hobby , a pastime , it's not real life" - Page 220
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1) “Everything is so void. Who are we trying to avoid?"–Vinod / Act Two/ Scene III / Page 63 2) “We are strong. Nothing can destroy us!”-Saloma / Act Three/ Scene III / Page 95 3) “Eh, your boyfriend coward ah...Eh, your boyfriend no balls ah?”-Robber / Act Three/ Scene III/ Page 96 4) “Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata. Give. Sympathise. Control.”-Emily / Act Four/ Scene I/ Page 103 5) "We're f**king Singaporeans and Asian societies can't touch touch hug hug right?!!"-Vinod / Act Five/ Scene III/ Page 129
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1. In your opinion , how key is the parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end ?
In my opinion, Vinod's parents who are successful lawyers gave him the education and oppotunities that many others would love to have, and want him to be as successful as them. They think that by giving him education and pushing him to the top would make him happy and successful. But little do they know that he does not want the certificates at all. He studied for the sake of fufiling his parent's dream. Thus causing the pressure and stress that led him to depression and finally his tragic suicide. Although there are other factors that contributed to his suicide, his parents were the ones that pushed him to his limits and even after he falls into depression, they do not want to face the truth and think that it is all an excuse. Thus accumulated pressure and stree on him lead him to his suicide at the end.
2. 'Vinod's high expectation oh himself caused his downfall." To what extent do you agree with the analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy ?
I agree to a large extent with the analysis. I think that Vinod's desperation to reintegrate into the society has caused his illness to worsen
I agree to large extent with the analysis. His desperation to reintegrate into the society has caused his illness to worsen because of the physical consequences, e.g. his handshakes and people shun him when they see his hands tremble, a side-effect of the medicine as a result he opposes consuming medicine which is necessary to control the symptoms of the illness. His rejection to the medicine can be seen when he said “They see my hands tremble, my eyes sleepy sleepy they will avoid me”. His relationship between Saloma and him is like a project for him. To him Saloma is a kitten he has found, one that he had to protect. Without the friendship, he has no purpose in life. Saloma is his centre. It is clear that Vinod regards Saloma as his inferior in terms of education, He often treat her as someone who needs information, and frequently displays his knowledge about books and philosophy. It is also apparent that Vinod regards he as an inferior in terms of mental girth, which is why he is so devastated when he realizes that she has become stronger than he is after the robbery. Vinod’s presumptuous air of superiority pushes him to reject Saloma when she becomes stronger than him. Instgead of being happy for Saloma when she finally makes progress to be reintegrated into society, Vinod becomes unhappy, even distraught. He hurts her by hurling insults and discouraging her like saying “Great! Saloma Nightingale. Who will faint first? The person receiving the injection or the person giving it?” His inability to protect Saloma and Saloma slowly reintegrating into the society made him feel inferior to her. His failure to become “centre” has made him suicidal with his rejection to medicine. Thus lead to his downfall. Therefore I agree to a large extent to the analysis of his high expectation leading him to his downfall
3. Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play .
Saloma changes from a shy girl to one who survives from mental illness. She's even able to reason out with mak at the end. As she expresses her desires to live.
The first turning point for Saloma is when she meets Emily at the halfway house. Even though she starts out using the mantra, Emily taught tentatively, she does turn out to be the stronger chatracter between her and Vinod. For instance, although Vinod is the better educated one between the two, Saloma is one who is set on writing to the newspaper to address the discrimination against mental patients.When Vinod shuts himself in his room, Saloma grows desperate without him.
What becomes the turning point for her, pushing out to face the real world, is the bird in her room. Whether this bird is real or a figment of her imagination is not the point.This marks the second turning point for Saloma because before Vinod withdrew from the world, including her, she did not know what to do with her self, even where to go or what to do.
One night also argue that Mak is a reason for Saloma's transformation and survival. After all, Mak is constantly reminding her of her need to turn to God, an idea which Saloma accepts and even repeats to Vinod.
4. "Though a minor role in the play , the character Razali is the key to the plot of off centre." To what extent do you agree with this assement ?
I do not agree with this assement to a large extend. To Saloma, Razali plays a role that is like her dad, he is the one who buys epok epok (curry puff) for her just like what her deceased father promise, one who talks to her & gives her advices. He fufills the role of fatherly model to Saloma. However, to Vinod, he is someone that protects the community as he is a guard, he protect the people living at the block. However during the robber incident, he fails to help them and Vinod blames him for not being there to protect the both of them. Vinod is tested against his manhood when the robber said "Your boyfriend coward ah ?" and "Your boyfriend got balls anot ?", he breaks down and this series of events is similar those that he faced when he is in the army. Platoon Commandor (PC) asked Vinod, "Are you a man or not Vinod?" Razali plays a role to help both Vinod and Saloma, however, he is not the key to the plot of off centre.
5. "Datta , Dayadhvam , Damyata" means to "Give , Sympathise , Control". How did the major characters in the play exert control in their enviroment and / or their lives ? Support your answer with evidence from the text .
Major characters like Vinod exert control in their environment by his intelligence. As a person who thought that his life was over when he didn't get straight As for his A levels, and met Saloma whose education level was only up till VITB, he used his intelligence to "show off" to Saloma as he feels that Saloma needed information and to make himself feel better about himself. He would give his reasons and lectures Saloma on why the Gods are not good. Eg: The indian boy whose head got chop off by his own father because he didn't allow him into the house because he obey his mother because she said not to allow anybody to the house when she's taking a bath.
Vinod exert control in his live by being the better,smarter person between the both off centre person, namely himself and Saloma.As for Saloma, she exerts control by asking Vinod to take his medication. Like the medicine could help him get better but he think otherwise. She also exerts control at the last part of the play by asking Vinod to go the the dance with her when he didn't want to as he felt useless after the robbery.
In her life, Saloma exert control when mak ask her to stop taking the medicine as she feel that her own daughter is not mad at all and taking the medicine would not help. Saloma didn't listen to mak and this is how she exert control.
6. Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.
Vinod's parents' marked absence in the play reveals their non-involvement in Vinod's life . They always leave Vinod alone to his own devices most of the time . Instead of being worried that Vinod has been shutting himself in room for weeks , they feel annoyed because they think that Vinod is taking advantage of their patience . He desires love and warmth but they are very proper and distant because of their high status . Therefore , Vinod is unable to get love and warmth from his parents and this is one of the reason that led to his death because of the abandonment from his parents .During Vinod's JC days , Charlie , Denise and Johnson were close to Vinod as they were in the same class . They associated with him because of his literary brillance and often made photocopies of his excellent work as model essays to learn from . However , after Vinod's nervous breakdown , they ceased contact with him . When Vinod met them at the NUS , Vinod realises that people will always remember and remind him of his breakdown . This is why Vinod believes he will never be able to get past his history and move on normally as he gets negative reactions from ex-classmates .From here , we can state that peer acceptance and family support is very important .
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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?A: I think that the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt. Diamond to me is something precious and rare which is well protected. I feel that I am safe living in Singapore and fortunate that I am born here too, because of the security of the country is tight which make sure all crimes will be at the minimum. I would describe Singapore like a complete package. In Singapore we have everything, technology, leisure, food and clothes which are imported from around the world. 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?
A: In my opinion, I think her uncle behaved this way because he was required to do all the hard work when he returned to China and suffer all the hardship that took place, but not her father who stayed in Singapore. He found it unfair for himself, and starts to demand more and more from his brother to recoup his losses in the early days. I do not feel sorry for him at all for it was his job to take charge of the life and he has no one to blame, but himself. He could have chosen to stay in Singapore and not return, but he did not. I do regard him with distaste for that he did not accept his mistakes and blame others for what he had done. 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?A: Yes, I find it contradicting. She did not find what her father said and what she saw any bit that's similar, but she is still willing to find out more about what her father thinks of China in his own heart without knowing that China has changed so much so that it's no longer the China he knew. She used beautiful land for she believes that her father stopped at that point of time that China was still a piece of beautiful and perfect land for her father to stay in. 4. "A country is only as good as its men. My father is a good man.... whichever country can clain 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?A: 'A country is only as good as its men.' I believe what the narrator is trying to convey is as long as he has confidence in the country, the country will be what the men believes. To a large extent I would agree her father is a good man. When he had to send more money to his brother in china, he did not grumble or complain a single thing to anyone. He might feel annoyed by his brother's behaviour, but he did not express it out, for he believed that his brother is still wonderful deep down in his heart. Thus he did not want to spoil his image in front of other people. In my opinion, Singapore should claim him for its own. It's only fair for him to enjoy his life in Singapore but not return to China to work hard again to support his brother.
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Hello my name is Darius.
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