Minfong Ho

Prepared by: Ms Jagvinder Kaur/2015

Place

Singapore

Mr Li’s office (18th floor, Shenton Way)

Tanjong Rhu

The hospital room

The altar room

Time

Present (after the death of Ah-Ma)

Past (before the death of Ah-Ma)

Social

Modern day Singapore

Early 20th century Singapore

Mr Li

Ah-Ma

Ying

Helen

Mr Li’s father

A wealthy and successful man of 63 years of age

Keeps his hair carefully dyed black except for a little grey

The eldest son of nine siblings

A respectful and devoted son although he is sometimes impatient with his mother.

Seems to be modern – feels his daughter is too modern and disrespectful

Does not seen to want other to know that he comes from humble beginnings

Responsible – mother has proper burial – altar room

Regretful – attention to mother

Small and thin with grey hair and a bent back

Mother of nine, grandmother of thirty-four and great-grandmother of seventeen

Has cataracts but does not want to have surgery to fix it

Speaks Cantonese

A traditional and religious woman who still keeps chickens in the garden and practises the old Chinese customs and ritual

Often lost in memories – years to see Tanjong Rhu

Loves her family very much

Daughter of Mr Li and Helen

Has a brother who is studying in Cambridge and she herself is soon leaving for New York

Devoted to her grandmother (hospital)

A modern girl

Seems to have a good relationship with her father

Wife of Mr Li

Often has tea-parties with her friends

Seems to like socialising

Rather superficial

Used to own a shipyard in Tanjong Rhu where he built boats

Dies at the age of 53

Upon his death, his wife offer daily prayers to him in the altar room and sometimes even talks to him.

Traditional values vs. modern ideas

The past vs. the present

Regret

Generation gap

We must not forget our roots

We must learn to respect and tolerate each other

Family is more important than wealth and success

The story talks about traditional practice that is slowly fading away. Give an example of a traditional practice that you think will soon be forgotten. Why do you think it will no longer be practised in the future?