1.

Tanjung Rhu
2. 6. About the Author A Chinese-American award winning writer Born in Myanmar 1951 Has
lived in Singapore and Thailand Currently resides in New York Studied Chinese History and
Literature at Tunghai University, Taiwan
3. 7. About the Author Writes on the lives of people in South East Asia Writes stories for
young adult readers and young children 1983, worked for National University of Singapore
for 7 years Her works have been selected as teaching material of English Literature in lower
secondary school
4. 8. Synopsis Simple yet profound story Relationship between Mr T.W. Li , a rich
businessman and Ah Ma, his mother Mr Li has his office at Shenton Way and is modern in
ways and ideas. Ah Ma is traditional with strong religious beliefs and practices ancestor
worship The day after Ah Mas funeral, Mr Li recalls the day he told his mother about using
binoculars or see-far glasses
5. 9. Synopsis He wants her to have better vision She hopes to see her husbands shipyard
in Tanjung Rhu She tells Mr Li she sees his childhood days when they enjoyed walks on
Tanjung Rhu beach She then becomes sick and unable to talk much. She manages to tell
him of a hidden key in the altar before she passes away He promises to fulfil her last wish
but is unable to find the key
6. 10. Mr T. W. Li Successful business man Has a happy childhood in Tanjung Rhu Close
relationship with his mother but does not open up easily Modern in his ways and ideas
Tolerant- does not interfere in his mothers traditional ways Meticulous- keeps track of the
number of ships everyday
7. 11. Mr T. W. Li Filial made sure the funeral of his mother is done in the right way Strict and
does not entertain disrespect for the young Regrets not talking to Ah Ma and never listens
when she talks
8. 12. Ah Ma (Mr Lis mother) Traditional with strong religious beliefs Values Chinese ancestors
worship Meticulous keeps prayer paraphernalia under lock and key Determined to do
things her own way Often lost in memories yearns to see Tanjung Rhu Old fashioned
doesnt want surgery for her eye cataract Proud of her sons success
9. 13. Ying (Mr Lis daughter) Loving takes care of her grandmother in the hospital Modern
speaks English to her parents and takes the traditional customs and rituals lightly When
young, loves helping her grandmother to pray Persuasive tries to persuade her
grandmother to let her do the praying

10. 14. Themes: Traditional values vs modern ideas: - Ah Ma is steeped in traditional values
while Mr Li and Ying represent the modern society. - Ah Ma has high regard for the traditional
practices of the Chinese community while the new generation does not place much
importance on tradition.
11. 15. Past vs Present: Ah Ma represents the past while Mr Li symbolizes the present. Mr Li
sees the ships at the harbor at present while Ah Ma sees the port of Tanjung Rhu when they
used to live there in the past

12. 16. Regret: Mr Li feels deep regret for the way he treats Ah Ma after his mother falls ill and
later passes away He never pays much attention to his mothers stories about the past and
realizes a little too late that most of his questions remained unanswered.
13. 17. Generation Gap: The characters in 3 different generations Ah Ma, Mr Li and Ying
Each generation behaves differently and has their own beliefs and ideas, and they do not
often agree with each other.
14. 18. Moral Values: Although we live in a modern world, we must not forget our traditional
values We must learn to appreciate people while we can Money cannot buy everything
Learn to respect and tolerate each other
15. 19. Question: In the story Tanjung Rhu, we are exposed to characters who hold on dearly to
traditional values. Do you think that this is a wise thing to do? Why?

Tanjung Rhu Form 4 Literature : Theme

Traditional habit versus current patterns which is this short story focusing on Singaporean Chinese
life which contrast in terms of traditional and modern

Synopsis Tanjung Rhu Form 4 Literature

1) Simple yet profound story
2) This short story is about a successful man who forgets his roots as a kampong boy in Tanjung Rhu
and realises the importance and how much he misses it after his mothers death
3) Relationship between Mr T.W Li, a rich businessman and Ah Ma, his mother
4) Mr Li has his office at Shenton Way and is modern in ways and ideas

5) Ah ma is traditional with strong religious beliefs and practices ancestor worship

6) The day after Ah Mas funeral, Mr Li recalls the day he told his mother about using binoculars or
see far glasses
7) Is also looks at the conflict, struggle and tension between modern and traditional society in
Singapore through the realtionship between Mr. T.W Li and his mother
8) Based on this short story Tanjung Rhu Form 4 Literature, Mr Li feels regret for the way jhe treats
Ah ma after this mother falls ill and later passes away
9) He never pays much attention to this mothers stories about the past and realizes a little too late
that most of his questions remained unanswered
10) Mr Li promises to fulfil her last wish but is unable to find the key

Tanjung Rhu Form 4 Literature : Setting

Tanjung Rhu : place in which the protogonist of the story spends his life with

Tanjung Rhu Form 4 Literature : Moral Value

1) Although we live in modern world, we must not forget our traditional values
2)
We
must
learn
to
appreciate
people
while
we
can
3)
Money
cannot
buy
everything
4)
Learn
to
respect
and
tolerate
each
other
5) We should consider and accept changes in our lives and progress with the time
6) We should always voice out our feelings especially if we want to express feelings of love for a
family member especially an old parent.