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TANJONG RHUBY MINFONG HOMinfong Ho was born in 1951 to Chinese parents in Myanmar. She grew up in Thailand and studied at Tunghai University, Taiwan. Then, she went to cornell University, USA.She now lives in New York with her husband and 3 childrenAUTHORS PROFILE

SynopsisThis short story is about a successful man who forgets his roots as a kampong boy in Tanjung Rhu and only realises the importance and how much he misses it after his mother`s death. The poignant story demonstrate the cultural circumstances and dilemmas about people face in Southeast Asia. It also looks at the conflict., struggle and tension between modem and traditional society in Singapore through the relationship between Mr.T.W.Li and his motherPlotExposition Mr Li is 63 years old. He is a wealthy, successful, modern businessman. He works in an office locatede on the 18th floor above Shenton Way. From his office window, he could see Tanjung Rhu. He lives with his wife, Helen, daughter, Ying and mother. His son is studying at Cambridge University.PlotRising Action One Day, Mr Li bought the binoculars for his mother because she did not want to do the operation for her cataracts. He told her that she could see things in a distant and his mother wanted to see Tanjung Rhu. He promised to bring her to his office the next day.PlotBefore going to his office, his daughter, Ying quarrelled with his mother because she wanted to help in the worship but the grandmother did not allow her. This is because she did not know the right way to do worship. After the grandmother had complete the worship alone, she followed Mr Li to the office.PlotClimax When they were at the office, Mr Li tried to show his mother the big ships in the harbour through the binoculars. However, his mother saw young Mr Li walking barefoot on the beach searching foe crabs and see herself was walking beside him. After Mr Li took away the binoculars from her, her smile disappeared.PlotFalling Action Mr Li`s mother became very sick and was admitted to the hospital. She was so weak that she could hardly open her eyes. When Mr Li visited her, his daughter tried to force open the grandmother`s eyes. Mr Li talked to his mother; she could only recognise him but could not talk more. Then, she reminded the key to the altar that was hidden in a special place. Without knowing where the key was, Mr Li assured her that the key was safe. PlotResolution After her mother has passed away, Mr Li needed the joss sticks to worship his parents. However, he could not find the key to the altar as he did not know where the key was. So he left the altar room.Characters Mr Li-Responsible Mr. Li takes care of his old mother. When she insist on worshipping his late father, he does not stop her although he is late for work. CharactersMr Li FilialMr. Li is a filial son. He buys a pair of binoculars for his mother so that she better and further.Characters Mr LiRich and successful Mr Li is a 63 years old successful businessman in Singapore. Characters YingImpatient Ying is Mr Li`s daughter who is going to study in New York. She argues with her grandmother as she wants to help in the worship.Characters YingDisrespectful Ying tries to open her grandmother`s eyes when she lies on the hospital bed. This makes her father very angry . Mr Lis Mother-OldShe is an old woman who has 9 children,34 grandchildren and 17 great grandchild-LoyalMr Lis Mother very loyal to her late husband that she often worship him at the altar.CharactersHelen-MaterialisticMr Lis wife she enjoy a rich life by spending time with her friend in the big house.She also uses expensive perfume and eats expensive food.-InconsiderateShe makes fun of her husband in front of her friend for buying the binocular for his mother.

CharactersThemesLoyalty to one`s family Mr Li`s mother is very loyal to her husband. She worship him frequently. She keeps the small wine, cups, gold sheets, candles and joss sticks carefully in the top drawer of her special desk. She does not forget her duty to serve her husband even though he is dead.Theme It is norm for a Chinese family to show loyalty to their family by worshipping the ancestors. However, this practice has been neglected gradually since the change of time. People today are more materialistic then they are not concerned with the spiritual things that can bring them inner peace.Setting 1. Mr Lis big houseMr Li had a big house with many vacant rooms. He had a servant to help with the housework.2.Mr Lis old house in a hutMr Li stayed in a hut at Tanjong Rhu when he was young. He often saw the fishing boats sailing

3.The HospitalMr. Lis mother was admitted to the hospital when she was sick. Lying in bed, she was tied to machines which gave her blood or carry her urine into a bag4.Mr Lis officeMr. Li works in a towering building which was on the 18th floor. He could see the ships at Tanjung Rhu harbour and he counted the ships everydaySetting Moral Value1.We must be responsible to take care of the old people.-Our old parents have done a lot of sacrifices for us, we should not neglect them when they are old. We have to provide them the necessity as to pay back their kindness.

2.We should respect the old people-Though we might have different opinions and beliefs with the old people, we need to accept their views and respect them. We have to be patient when dealing with them and show our filial piety.3.We must be loyal to our family-Family is the most important thing in our life. Even though we are successful in life, we should not be proud and forget our family. Money cannot buy happiness. Therefore, our family should be focus in lifeMoral Value