I have annotated the entirety of the anthology 'Games at Twilight' by Anita Desai. Literary devices, explanation, background information, etc. For reference, the stories are: Games at Twilight Private Tuition by Mr Bose Studies in the Park Surface Textures Sale Pineapple Cake The Accompanist A Devoted Son The Farewell Party Pigeons at Daybreak Scholar & … Continue reading Games at Twilight Annotations
A Hundred Flowers: Themes
Here's a quick summary of the themes that I've picked up on whilst reading A Hundred Flowers. Note: These themes are based on my interpretation of the novel A Hundred Flowers. This list is by no means exhaustive, and the phrasing of the themes might be different to those given by your teacher, even if … Continue reading A Hundred Flowers: Themes
‘LIVE! At the Wet Market’ Gist Notes
Gita and Ramani are two girls who find themselves caught between two worlds - the modern Singapore with more wealth, luxuries, and a pressure to gain approval from the whole world, and a fading past of wet markets, working on weekends, and tradition. Whilst Ramani is comfortable straddling both worlds, Gita struggles much more with … Continue reading ‘LIVE! At the Wet Market’ Gist Notes
‘Fireworks’ Gist Notes [How We Live Now]
Fireworks by Dave Chua - From the anthology 'How We Live Now' by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow The narrator and protagonist is a teenage girl reflecting on the males in her life and how they impose themselves upon her. This is a simplified set of notes – a gist, in effect – of the text, to help … Continue reading ‘Fireworks’ Gist Notes [How We Live Now]
‘Close to Home’ Gist Notes [How We Live Now]
Close to Home by Jinny Koh - from the anthology How We Live Now by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow Nicky is sent to live with his neighbour because his parents are overwhelmed by his mother's cancer treatments, work, and other responsibilities. There, he experiences a different way of living, and observes Auntie Loh and how she manages … Continue reading ‘Close to Home’ Gist Notes [How We Live Now]
‘Painting the Tiger’ Gist Notes [How We Live Now]
These are free gist notes - really short, summarised notes to give you the gist - of the short story 'Painting the Tiger' by Philip Jeyaretnam. They aren't everything you need to know, but they exist to give you a start as you begin to understand the text. At the end, I collate the evidence … Continue reading ‘Painting the Tiger’ Gist Notes [How We Live Now]
Student Plays by Desmond Sim – Brief Annotations
To all who are working on this text, I've done up the annotations for the following: Drunken Prawns MRT Shrimps in Space Teochew Porridge The Durian Man and his Daughters Perfecting Pratas If I do find time during the holidays, I might consider working on the annotations for the rest of the plays as well. … Continue reading Student Plays by Desmond Sim – Brief Annotations
Hook and Eye – Everest Reflection Notes
Everest is a short story about dreams and the ability to make our dreams come true in Singapore, no matter how impossible. It also presents to us the perspective of an immigrant family and their unintentional integration and adaptation to Singapore society. As with the Reflections Framework I have shared previously, these notes have been … Continue reading Hook and Eye – Everest Reflection Notes
Hook and Eye: Practice Essay Questions (and Mindmap tips!)
Want to test your understanding of the anthology "Hook and Eye: Stories from the Margins"? Hook-And-Eye-essay-questionsDownload Writing essays can take a very long time, especially as there are so many questions. A great way to create notes for yourself whilst answering these questions is to mindmap. BUT HOLD ON! This is not an excuse for … Continue reading Hook and Eye: Practice Essay Questions (and Mindmap tips!)
Hook and Eye – Cave Man Reflection Notes
Cave Man is a fantasy depiction of Singapore in the future, in which most Singaporeans live underground whilst only the fortunate get to live above-ground in the sunshine. Alfred, the protagonist dreams of solitude and isolation - or does he? As with the Reflections Framework I have shared previously, these notes have been created with … Continue reading Hook and Eye – Cave Man Reflection Notes
Teacher Jo 