NEIGHBOURS BY ROBERT RAYMER AUTHORS BACKGROUND Robert Raymer, an American, has taught creative writing at Universiti Sains Malaysia

for 10 years in Penang, Malaysia, where he has lived for 21 years. Born in Grove City, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Greenville, PA and Newark, Ohio, studied at Miami University, and lived in Boulder, Colorado and Madison, Wisconsin. Robert retired as a regional manager at the age of 28. He has backpacked solo to 34 countries, taught tennis, modeled, played Santa Claus, managed a stage crew for Penang Players, danced the tango in the Oscar-winning French film Indochine (1992), and was an extra in Beyond Rangoon, Paradise Road and Anna and the King. His short stories and articles have appeared in The Literary Review, Thema, London Magazine, Frank, Going Places, Silver Kris, Far East Traveler, Readers Digest, and 25 Malaysian Short Stories, Best of Silverfish New Writing 2001-2005. He was the editor of Siverfish New Writing 4 (Silverfish 2004) and wrote a collection of short stories Lovers and Strangers (Heinemann,1993) and Lovers and Strangers Revisited (Silverfish, 2006). He is now writing a novel set in Malaysia. SYNOPSIS This story glimpses of Malaysian multicultural life. It tells us the story of Malaysian people of different races and culture who live in the same area. The people know each others name and they are willing to take the extra mile to know what is going on, in other peoples household. Some of them are quite caring while the others are just busy body. There is, Mr Koh, who is helpful and sympathetic , Mr Tan, the seemingly innocent teacher, Ms Chee, a young an unattached teacher who is trying to impress Mr Tan, Nathan, the Indian dentist who uses every opportunity to promote his clinic, and Ramli, who has a little grudge towards Johnny for selling a motorcycle to a stranger, when Ramli thinks as neighbours, Johnny should sell it to him. These are the characters who are given a chance to talk while the victim, Johnny the suicidal neighbour, is the main reason for the uncalled gathering. CHARACTERS Mr Koh and Mrs Koh Mrs. Koh Mr. Kohs wife, a housewife Inquisitive & busy body Insensitive Loud Mouth Shirker/ fussy Boastful/ show of Like to find fault in others especially her husband Domineering character Sarcastic and ridicule others especially her husband Easily makes assumption / superstitious

Mr Koh Sells insurance Helpful Sympathetic Tolerance Practice neighbourliness Rational / quick thinking especially in critical time Nostalgic ( likes to think of the past)

Ms Chee Tall and thin Short black hair Curious New Mathematic teacher Seems to show interest in Mr Tan Mr Tan Observant Humble Johnny, Veronica, Lily and Danny Johnny Veronicas husband Works as janitor Hospitalized Drinks Hospitable Veronica Food caterer A housewife Lily Danny

Academically intelligent Johnnys son A bright student Works at a bank Lives in town Good boy with a good job

Dr Nathan Dentist / widower Boastful / show of Money minded Does not practice professional ethic Self centered Ramli Satay vendor at the night market Easily makes assumption Conservative / traditional man Has six children Taking care of his mother in law

THEMES Gossiping Social values ( harmonious life between races) Attitude of people Tolerance between races ISSUES Family relationship / Husband and wife relationship Community relationship Pay attention to trivial matters Gambling Respect for the eldest Materialism SETTING Residential area (on the street )

ACTIVITIES: 1. Dramatization of the story. 2. Compare and contrast this story to any movie or television series. 3. List out what comes to your mind when these characters are mentioned to you: Mrs. Koh Mr. Koh Miss Chee Mr. Tan Dr. Nathan

Ramli Veronica Johnny 4. Discussion questions Do you think this story depicts the society that you live in? Whom do you sympathize with in this story? Why? Do you think individuals like Mrs. Koh are detrimental to society? Explain. 5. Write out a poem based on the characters in the story. QUESTIONS a. See! See! Thats what happens when grown boys living on his own like that How does Ramli propose to overcome the grown boys restlessness? (5m) b. Discuss the significance of the title. (8m) c. Some people may think that gossiping is harmless, but in actual fact it can be very destructive. Discuss the truth of the statement with close reference to the story. (12m)