With close reference from the text, choose a theme from Tanjung Rhu.

The short story I chose is Tanjung Rhu by Minfong Ho. A prevalent theme in Tanjung Rhu is Kindness
and love are more important than material possessions This means that even though people say
that money, wealth and fame is important, there are more important things and values that are more
important, that are kindness and love, because, at the end of the day, those two are what make life
worth living. In Tanjung Rhu, this theme is shown through the relationship between Mr Li and his
mother, Mr Lis failure to open the drawer in the Altar Room and Yings error.

Firstly, this is shown through the relationship between Mr Li and his mother, Ah Ma because Mr Li
thinks that he needs to work hard and give material wealth to his mother. This is evident in him
asking Ah Ma to go up the 18th floor of his office, a symbol of his success. He also tries to make Ah
Ma see the extent of his success by making her see the view through the binoculars.Nevertheless, Ah
Ma, refusing at first to see through the binoculars, finally concedes but only sees the past memories
of her happier time at the beach with her young son, Mr Li. This proves that Ah Ma only values the
past as it was when they were happier and had a closer relationship. To Ah Ma, binocular and the
18th floor office are nothing compared to her son. This valuing of the past by Ah Ma proves the
theme that Love and Kindness are more important than material possession.

Secondly, this theme is shown through Mr Lis failure to open the drawer. He thinks that he had done
enough for his mother, that by just letting her live with him and making sure she lives well, he has
done enough and is a filial son. But he ignores his mother so much that he dose not even know
where Ah Ma puts her joss stick at the Altar Room and that he does not even have the key to the
drawer where she puts important stuff for praying means that he has failed as a son. What Ah Ma
needed was just his love and kindness, and his care and attention, and he did not give her that. His
failure to open the drawer is a reflection that all his succes and material possessions do not make
him a good son.

Lastly this theme is shown through Ying, Mr Lis daughter. Ying also mistakenly thinks that she cares
enough about her grandmother that she often argues with her concerning the praying ceremony. She
misunderstands that Ah Ma is a traditional person and keeps urging her to change the wax candles
into electric candles and also to let her do the praying ceremony even though she does not know the
proper way to do so. Ying here also falls mistakenly into the trap that material possession is better-
she urges Ah Ma to pray quickly so Mr Li could go to work faster and to use better, safer electric
candles. In the end, she does not get the love and care she wants from her grandmother just because
she thinks what she values more are better.

In conclusion, the theme Kindness and love are more important than material possessions are
shown though the dynamic of Mr Li and his mothers relationship, Mr Lis unsuccessful try of opening
his mothers important drawer and Yings misunderstanding of what is important for her
grandmother.