Emily of Emerald Hill

Theme on:Tradition

VS

ModernityByWee Xian Bin2O429

Contents

• Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning – An overview

• Analysis of the aspects of modernisation and tradition

• Analysis of the theme on Modernity VS Modernity in Emily of Emerald Hill

PAUL’S WHEEL OF REASONING(BY DR. RICHARD PAUL)

Tradition VS Modernity

THEME ANALYSIS

Tradition VS Modernity

Purpose

Analysing the

Theme on Tradition

VS Modernity

Tradition and

Modern ideas in

the Peranakan culture

How modernity

has affected the

traditional way of

Peranakan life

Tradition VS Modernity

i.e.What are the aspects of Traditional and Modern ideas in “Emily of Emerald Hill”?

Quote specific examples.

Evidence & Data

Modern Aspects

English educated

Richard and father from ACS“When Richard …

himself” (14)

Richard studying in

London“Ya-lah, the boy … next month”

(4).

“Richard, you did … next year” (17).

Patronising English shops/hotels

Adelphi Hotel(In an

upper-class educated

voice)”Hello … for collection?”

(4)

Whitea-ways“Yesterday I

… around town” (3).

Chotir-mall’s“I’m making

… Chotirmall’s

” (5).

Evidence & Data

Modern Aspects

Modern Peranakan house with European design(contrasting to typical Peranakan design)

Electric fan“and from the high …

cool the air” (7).

Curtain“hung up …

English cotton” (7).

Balustrades (Greek-Roman design),

chandelier & marble floors

“In the dining … staircase”

(7)

Bed

“Over each … a tent” (7)

Bathrooms“And you … sea green”

(7).

ModernTelephone

Evidence & Data

Modern Aspects

Church

“Yes indeed … won’t you?” (30)

English aspects of culture

Golf & Horse-riding

“This evening … from office” (30).

“You remember … the stables” (23).

“In fact … them again” (22).

English song

“By-an-

by hard times … far away” (10).

“Go to sleep … you don’t” (13).

English folk-

dancing and

ballet

“Mabel, I

wonder …

class” (15).

Bridge“The Third

Mistress … car round”

(8).

Traditional Aspects

Elders have more respect and more authority• “I had …

wicked mothers-in-law” (9).

• “and the … senior sister-in-law” (9).

Marrying relatives• “Even better

… the family” (10).

Food & Drink• Sireh – “Neo

… for her” (12).

• Babi keluak – “This is … a time” (38-39).

Many children – preference for sons;Father doesn’t care much about them• “I had three

sons … of course” (13).

• “When Richard … it lah!” (14)

• “Why am … born for?” (44)

Patchwork• “First you …

nice pattern” (14).

Evidence & Data

Tradition VS Modernity

i.e.Inferences/assumptions from the evidence

Assumptions

• Emily’s family, though being Peranakan, are influenced by Western culture, which probably happened when the British came to Singapore 2 centuries back.

• Nevertheless, they kept most of their Peranakan culture, namely clothes, food and drinks.

• Such Peranakan culture is extremely rare in Singapore nowadays.

Tradition VS Modernity

i.e.Who’s point-of-view?

Point of View

Emily

Emily’s

Point of

View

Tradition VS Modernity

i.e.What is the key understanding on aspects of tradition Peranakan culture & Western influence?

Concepts

• Aspects of tradition in Peranakans (or more specifically Emily’s family) were identical to the Chinese (like the preference for sons, marrying relatives etc.)

• However, Emily’s family are now mostly English educated

• Changed their belief to Christianity, due to British colonization.

Tradition VS Modernity i.e.

What are the implications/consequences of such tradition change?

Implications/Consequences

• Baba Malay lost out to other Chinese dialects

Chinese immigrants (late 19th century)

The Peranakan culture is slowly becoming rare and

losing out

Tradition VS Modernity

i.e.Conclusions and inferences made from evidence, assumptions & key understandings?

Inferences

• Emily’s family has retained some of their traditional culture and moral values, which are identical to Chinese cultures.

• The only remaining Malay tradition in her family is the Baba Malay words occasionally “mixed” with English when speaking.

Inferences

• However, Emily’s family changed their beliefs to Christianity and became greatly influenced by the West.

• Much of their Peranakan tradition and rituals, being opposed to the Christian faith, are no longer observed and have been lost.

Tradition VS Modernity

Question at Issue

• Emily’s family have moved on to “more modern” Western ideas, thus the Peranakan tradition were lost.

• Therefore, modernisation have became more popular to tradition

• Tradition has lost out to Western ideas

Bibliography

Mr Krison’s Notes on the Peranakans (Pg 3-4)

Kon, Stella (Ed.). (2008). Emily of Emerald Hill: A One-woman Play by Stella Kon. Singapore: Constellation Books.

Using Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning, Video and Slideshows to Teach Mathematical Concepts

Thank you!

• Any questions?