The Curse Lee Su Ann

CHARACTERS Write about a character that you find most interesting in the novel The Curse. Provide evidence from the novel to show why the character is interesting. Sample answer 1 The character that I find most interesting in the novel The Curse by Lee Su Ann is Azreen. She is brave to befriend with Old Lady despite knowing that the villagers have outcast her from the village. Later, Azreen is brave to convince and bring the Old Lady into the village to treat Mohd Asrafs sick grandmother despite knowing that the villagers will be angry with her actions. Though it is a risk she has taken, Azreen is rational in making the decision to save an ill person as she knows Old Lady is knowledgeable in traditional medicine. Azreen is also brave to confront her father and ask him outright if he had killed Madhuri upon seeing the stains on the parang. She is a person who stands up for the truth as she wants to find out what really happened to Madhuri. Azreen is also a responsible and filial daughter. Upon her return from London, she cares for her sick mother and cooks and takes care of her until her mother dies. Azreen is also loyal to friends and family members. She takes the blame for leaving Encik Mohans farm gate open as she wants to protect her friend Mohd Asraf from getting trouble with Encik Mohan. She is brave in defending her actions when confronted by Encik Mohan and the villagers later. Apart from that, Azreen is also far-sighted. Being intelligent and hardworking, she gets a scholarship to study overseas and feels this is her chance to leave the village for a better future. Sample answer 2 The Curse is a novel with many mysterious events. Even the characters in this novel portray many kinds of traits in order to capture the attention of the readers. As for me, the character that I admire most is of course, the pretty and charming Madhuri. Madhuri is Azreens elder sister and she is about 24 years old. Madhuri is liked by everyone in the village and also by her parents because she was very filial and obedient. As a good and obedient daughter, she helped her parents in household chores. Madhuri used to cook chicken porridge for her mother and feed her. Besides, she had never gone against her fathers wish when she married the man that her father chose for her. She was married to Haji Ghani who was the village headman and he took her as his second wife. Even though she knew that Haji Ghani was married but just to obey her fathers wishes, she was ready to be the headmans second wife. The sense of obedience in Madhuris character really attracted me and I learnt to love my parents more after reading this novel. The second reason why I admire Madhuri is because she was very pretty and charming. She was introduced to the readers when Azreen recalled about her sisters beauty during her journey back to Malaysia from London. Madhuri was featured in many photos and in school concerts when she took the role of the beautiful Puteri Gunung Ledang. Madhuri was very graceful and elegant in her costume during the concert. Azreen herself admired her sisters beauty when she took part in the concert. All these prove Madhuri as a very beautiful and elegant daughter and I too admire her for that.

The third and final reason why I admire Madhuris character is because she was a kind and thoughtful person. She was very kind to Fatihah, Haji Ghanis first wife when she wrote about her to Azreen. She even praised Fatihah and took her as Kak because she looked up to her as an elder sister. Each time when her father, Encik Saleh scolded or caned Azreen, Madhuri took it in a positive way that is, her father trying to educate her younger sister. I feel that Madhuri is always thinking positive to each and every incident that happens around her. This is what inspires me that is to think positively in my life in order to achieve success. Mentioned above are all the character traits why I admire Madhuri, the most beautiful lady in this novel. I wish I could be like her and be an obedient daughter to my parents.

Write about a character that you dislike the most in the novel The Curse. Provide evidence from the novel to show why you dislike the character. Sample answer 1 A character that I dislike in The Curse written by Lee Su Ann, is Azreen Saleh. Although she is not a bad person, she has her flaws. She is a fiery-tempered girl who always speaks her mind. This has led people to see her as rude, hateful and ungrateful. Azreen is very protective of the people she loves. She slaps a girl who mimics the way her mother walks with crutches. When other children disturb her friend, the Old Lady, she throws stones at the children. Even though her heart is in the right place, I do not think she should have been so aggressive. There are better ways to protect the people you love. I also do not like it that Azreen begins disliking Madhuri when they are older. Madhuri does not really do anything to hurt Azreen. It is not her fault that people prefer her to Azreen, even Mohd Asraf, the boy Azreen has a crush on. Azreen is also a very stubborn person. One day, she is scolded by her father unfairly for stealing mangosteens. She rebels by refusing to have her dinner. She may not have stolen the mangosteens but she did not have to behave so badly. She should be more respectful to her elders. In conclusion, Azreen may have a good heart but she has to treat people she does not like better.

Sample answer 2 The novel that I choose is The Curse by Lee Su Ann. The story is about the mysterious death of Azreens adopted sister, Madhuri, and how Azreen goes through everything to find out the truth behind the death. The character that I dislike in the novel is Puan Normala. I dislike Puan Normala because she is a rumour monger. She is the one that spread the rumour about Madhuri and how she died. Puan Normala is also superstitious. She blames the old ladys visit to Ashrafs house as the reason for the continuous rain. Furthermore, she is also a mean and malicious person. For example, she provokes Mohd Ashraf to confront the old lady by accusing the old lady as the reason why Ashrafs grandmothers health is getting worse. Because of that, Ashraf burns down the old ladys house in anger, and causes the old lady to die in the fire.

As conclusion, the character that I dislike most in the novel is Puan Normala because she is a rumour monger, mean and malicious and also a superstitious woman.

The writer describes the main character as a very determined person. Using the details from the novel you have studies, write about: Some instances that show the characters determination How the determination affect his/her family In The Curse written by Lee Su Ann, Azreen is portrayed as a determined character whose persistence also affects her family in many positive ways. She is very determined to continue her studies abroad despite not having the funds and her fathers objections to it. Fortunately, Dato Zulkifli and his wife are more than willing to sponsor her studies abroad and even allows her to stay with them when her father literally chases her out of home. Though Azreen is very saddened by the death of Madhuri, she is determined not to break down in front of her mother. Her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer, has many moments of memory lapse and Azreen refuses to be dragged into her feelings of sorrows and sadness about both her mothers illness and her sisters death. In her determination, she manages to keep her mothers spirit alive and ensures that her mother remains ignorant of the tragic death of her beloved Madhuri. Azreens mother dies peacefully after asking Azreen to keep the family together and not to allow herself to be consumed by sadness. In fact, Azreen is an amazing person as she is determined not to allow family tragedy to distract her from her aims in life. Azreen is also determined to finish her studies despite the sudden death of all her beloved ones: Madhuri, her parents as well as her loyal confidante, the Old Lady. Despite her loss, she still wants to continue her studies. She does not push away her adopted family too. This shows an indomitable spirit which refuses to bow down beneath adversity and be swayed from ones goal in life.

It is important to have a person that you look up to in your life. From the novel that you have read, write about one character that you look up to. Give reasons why you choose him/her. In the novel The Curse written by Lee Su Ann, a character that I admire is Mohd Asraf. Despite being raised as an orphan by his grandmother in a condition of poverty, Mohd Asraf is determined to prove himself worthy of his grandmothers love and dedication. He studies very hard to be a Mathematics teacher at a local school and saving up further for his training as a teacher in Kuala Lumpur. In addition, Mohd Asraf single-handedly runs the household, making sure that his ailing grandmother takes her medicine and meals on time. He is a very responsible man, loving and honest as well. His devotion to his grandmother makes him willingly defy the village customs to bring the Old Lady to his home to have his grandmother treated. Mohd Asraf is also a loyal and noble man. His loyalty and love to Madhuri knows no boundaries. He is true to her. While hatching a plan to run away with Madhuri, he is also mindful of the fact that Madhuri is a married woman. He knows that he has to disclose his intentions to her husband, Hj. Ghani. Though many of his students find him attractive, Mohd Asraf does not take advantage of their interest in him. Rather, he performs his duties professionally and responsibly. Thus, I do look up to Mohd Asraf as he possesses all the qualities I would like to have in myself and my siblings.

Using the details from the novel that you have studied, write about a difficult decision made by one of the characters. With the close reference to the text, do you think this is the right decision? The Curse written by Lee Su Ann explores many difficult issues and decisions some of the main characters have to make in order to have bright future for them. No matter how tough the decisions are, they have to make them to achieve a measure of happiness in life. Azreen makes a very difficult decision when she decides to accept Dato Zulkifli and Datin Sharifahs offer of sponsorship to study in the United Kingdom. This means that she has to incur the wrath of her father, Saleh Abdullah, who does not think it is a good idea for her daughter to accept the offer of a virtual stranger to live with them and later allow them to pay for her education abroad. He thinks as an undignified move and exposes them as beggars who had to live off anothers crumb. Azreen, however, disagrees. She fights hard with her father to convince them that the rich couple has only good intentions. It is difficult for Azreen as she has to leave her home since her father is enraged that she stands by her decision to study abroad and literally chases her out of her home. I believe Azreen makes the right decision. It gives her an opportunity to gain a good education as well as exposure to different cultures and the opportunity to make lasting friendship. In the end after she had lost her parents, her sister and her loyal friend, the Old Lady, Azreen can only fall back on her education and her kind foster parents who are there for her all the time.

THEMES Write about a theme that interest you in the novel The Curse . Provide evidence from the novel to support your answer. SAMPLE ANSWER 1 I think that loyalty is the theme I find most interesting in the novel The Curse by Lee Su Ann. If Madhuri had been loyal in her marriage and not got into a relationship with another man, she would not have been murdered. She would have maintained the good name she had earned and lived a peaceful life. On the other hand, Haji Ghani is loyal in his marriage to his wife Madhuri. He covers up her death as an accident and quickly gets his men to clear up her body as he does not want the villagers to know she was in a relationship with Mohd Asraf as this will tarnish the good image which she has been having all this while. Therefore, loyalty is clearly shown by the two characters in dealing with their problems. SAMPLE ANSWER 2 I think that being truthful is the theme I find most interesting in the novel The Curse by Lee Su Ann. Madhuri does not die in an accident but she is actually murdered by her father, Saleh Abdullah. He does not admit his wrongdoing. Though he tries to hide his gruesome action, in the end, Azreen finds out the truth when she sees the latex stain on the parang that he is holding. The truth that hits her is actually her father has murdered Madhuri, who then knocked over a cup full of latex in the rubber

estate while she fell, thus, leaving a white stain on her own body. Upon seeing the stain on the parang, Azreen is able to know the truth of what has happened to Madhuri on the day she dies. Mohd Asraf also blurts out the truth that he is in love with Madhuri and they are together for a few hours in the rubber estate before Madhuri is found dead. From Mohd Asrafs revelations, Azreen is able to know the truth behind the happy secret Madhuri wants to share with her when she writes Azreen a letter. Madhuris husband, Haji Ghani also tries to cover up Madhuris death by quickly clearing up her body when it is found in the rubber estate and has been tight-lipped about it; though he knew she was with another man as he did not want to tarnish her good name. However, in the end, Madhuris own father sees them in the rubber estate and in his anger, kills Madhuri.

SAMPLE ANSWER 3 I think not believing in superstitions is the theme I find most interesting in the novel The Curse by Lee Su Ann. The villager held on their superstitious beliefs. Madhuri was perceived to be the ghost or Pontianak just because she was seen to have white blood on her body when she died. This was seen as a bad omen and her death was linked with the flooding and sickness in the village. If the villagers had investigated further, they would have known that the white blood on Madhuris body is actually the rubber latex and she would not have been accused of being a ghost. The Old Lady was also perceived to be a witch and was cast away from the village by the villagers. She was deemed to be evil and a murderer as she had killed her husband earlier. The villagers kept away from her. However, the knowledgeable and kind Old Lady went into the village and treated Mohd Asrafs sick grandmother. With her treatment, Mohd Asrafs grandmother recovered. However, when his grandmother died the next day, once again the villagers accused the Old Lady of poisoning his grandmother as they had preconceived ideas that she was evil. In a nutshell, it is these superstitious beliefs that have lead them to behave irrationally. Love is important in a family. How is this shown in the novel you have read? Support your answer with the close reference to the text. The Curse by Lee Su Ann shows that love in a family is important. The commitment and responsibility are clearly shown by Azreens parents to both their daughters, Azreen and Madhuri. Though Madhuri is adopted, Azreens parents love her as much as they do to their biological daughter. Azreens parents do not abandon Madhuri in the rice fields but immediately rescue her. Madhuris biological mother too, never stops loving her. She continues to seek her out but is unable to show herself to her daughters adopted family. She is devastated by Madhuris untimely death and seeks revenge by haunting the family until Madhuris murderer is revealed. Fatihah, the first wife of the village chief, Hj. Ghani, continues to love and be loyal to him despite having no children and stays true him. She even gives her blessings to him for his second marriage though she is jealous of Madhuris youth and beauty. Datuk Zulkifli and his wife, Datin Syarifah, shower much love on Azreen. They become her foster parents and even pay for her studies overseas. As they respect the family institution, they do not attempt to take Azreen away from her family; instead, choosing to help the girl financially. Thus, love is an important ingredient that makes a happy and complete family.

LESSONS AND MORAL VALUES Write about an important lesson you have learnt from the novel The Curse. Provide evidence from the novel to support your answer. Sample answer 1 From the novel The Curse by Lee Su Ann, I learn that we should be brave in our actions. Azreen, upon realizing the truth to Madhuris death confronts her father and questions him if he has murdered Madhuri when she sees he rubber stains on the parang her father is holding. She is brave to question her own father as she really wants to know the truth behind Madhuris death. Azreen stands up for the truth as she is a brave young girl. By knowing the truth, Azreen is at peace with herself and goes back to London to continue her studies. Azreen is also brave to befriend with Old Lady. Although Old Lady is accused killing her husband and the villagers have to cast her away, Azreen makes friend with her and learns the truth about Old Ladys past life. Azreen is not judgmental and often visits Old Lady in her house in the jungle and enjoys her company there. She is also brave to convince Old Lady to go back to the village to treat Mohd Asrafs sick grandmother when Old Lady was hesitant to do so. Sample answer 2 The Curse by Lee Su Ann has many lessons for its readers. One of the lessons, truth will be known and secrets will not last forever. There are a few characters who keep secrets and eventually the secrets are exposed. First, Mohd. Asraf and Madhuri. They were secret lovers. They planned secretly to run away to Kuala Lumpur. After Madhuri died followed by his grandmothers death, he almost lost his mind. Keeping his secret love was very difficult. He was easily influenced by Puan Normala that his grandmother was poisoned by Old Lady. That was the reason he burned the Old Ladys house causing her death. Finally, he realises his mistakes and comes to his senses. Second, En Saleh Abdullah, Azreens father. He was always proud of Madhuri. Madhuri made him proud when she agreed to marry the village headman, Haji Ghani. When her affair was discovered, Encik Saleh gets very angry and accidentally killed Madhuri. He never tells anyone and until Azreen confronts him. Actually, he is ashamed because the daughter he was really proud of, had an affair and tried to run away. He keeps seeing a ghost. He suffers a heart attack and dies. In conclusion, dark secrets only make life difficult. The evidence in the story has shown us that. Any dark secrets we have, may destroy our lives. We may lose the people we love. Always be true to ourselves and do not take advantage of others. Always think before we act.

Write some moral values you have learnt from the novel The Curse. Provide evidence from the novel to support your answer. In The Curse by Lee Su Ann, some of the moral values are the need to be loved and cared as well as the need to be more tolerant and less judgmental.

The family falls apart if there is jealousy and hatred among family members when there should be love and care. Azreen should not have allowed nasty remarks and comparisons made by other people to drive her and Madhuri apart. She should also not have resented it when the man she loved chooses her sister instead of her. Saleh Abdullah, the father, should have been more tolerant and kind towards Azreen and should not have been so resentful and angry with him. The Old Lady loves her husband deeply but is abused harshly. So it is important to have love in our hearts and in our actions. It is also very important that everyone exercises some patience and tolerance in dealing with different people. Azreen is quick to react to what she sees unfair. She must learn to be more patient with everyone around her. The people of the village are judgmental and harsh in dealing with the people who make mistakes. Saleh, as the father of the two girls, is harsh and too strict. He abuses one and kills the other. Many of the villagers lack tolerance. They look upon Azreen and the Old Lady with suspicious and prejudice feelings. The people are angry with the Old Lady and wish to burn her. The angry mob is too quick to jump to conclusions especially when it concerns other people. Therefore, they should be more tolerant and less judgmental. In conclusion, we need to love and care for other people so that we will become more tolerant and less judgemental.

EVENTS There are many interesting events in the novel The Curse. Write about an event or incident that you think is important. Give reasons why you think this event is important. SAMPLE ANSWER 1 In The Curse by Lee Su Ann , I think the incident when the village bomoh, Awang, told Azreen that he saw Madhuris father, Saleh Abdullah in the rubber estate on the day Madhuri had died is very important. This is because Azreen is able to know that her father was at the scene when Madhuri was found dead. On that day, Awang was borrowing some tools from the rubber estate for his ritual when he bumped into Saleh. Upon seeing him, Awang ran away. This incident gives us the clue that Saleh was at the scene when Madhuri was found dead. Later, Azreen confronted her father about the stain on the parang, as she knew that Madhuri was murdered by her father and the white blood seen on her body was actually the rubber latex which had spilled on her. Finally, her father could not deny that he murdered Madhuri. SAMPLE ANSWER 2 In The Curse by Lee Su Ann, I think the incident when Azreen realizes the truth behind Madhuris death is important as it is also the climax in the story. Upon seeing the stain on the parang, Azreen is able to figure out that her father, Saleh Abdullah, is the one who murdered Madhuri. Azreen knows that Madhuris death is not an accident but she is murdered for being in a relationship with Mohd Asraf. The white blood on her body is actually the rubber latex in the rubber estate the day she is found dead. Knowing that her father murdered Madhuri has also put an end to the mysterious death of Madhuri. SAMPLE ANSWER 3 7

In The Curse by Lee Su Ann, I think the incident when Azreen learns the truth about Madhuri being her adopted sister from Awang, the village bomoh is important. It is a shock for Azreen to learn this truth as her parents have never mentioned this to her and they have always favoured Madhuri to her. Azreen has always been envious of Madhuri being prettier than her and a more filial daughter. Hence, this revelation of truth shocks her. When Awang tells her that Madhuris mother is still alive and wandering around in the village, Azreen realizes that she has seen the figure many times before. Finally, she accepts the fact and continues on with her life in London after realizing one has to forgive and forget in order to live a happy free life. SAMPLE ANSWER 4 In The Curse by Lee Su Ann, I think the incident when Mohd Asraf tells Azreen that he and Madhuri were in a relationship is important. This piece of news is shocking to Azreen as she has always liked Mohd Asraf from her school days. Though she knows that Mohd Asraf is taken up by Madhuris beauty and always praises her syair recitals, she never knows that Madhuri too has feelings for him, despite being married to Haji Ghani and is willing to run away from the village with Mohd Asraf. With this revelation, Azreen is able to understand what Madhuri intends to tell her in her letter she has sent to her before she dies. Based on the novel you have read, write about an important incident that you remember. Give reasons why you remember the incident. One incident that I remember the most in The Curse by Lee Su Ann is when Mohd Asraf discovers his grandmother is dying. Since he cannot get help due to the heavy rains and floods, he seeks out the mysterious Old Lady despite his fear of her as the entire village believes that she is a witch who eats children and kills people. As she is shunned by the villagers for killing her husband, Mohd Asraf is taking a great risk to seek her medical expertise. Despite the Old Ladys initial reluctance to help him, Azreen, who happens to be there, manages to persuade her. I remember this incident the most because it shows how people are capable of overcoming anything, even their fears, when they need help for their loved ones. Although Mohd Asraf is really afraid of the Old Lady because of the villagers superstitious beliefs, he ignores his fear to get help for his grandmother. Using the details from the novel that you have studied, Describe what happens at the end of the novel Explain why you find the ending either happy or sad Support your answer with close reference to the text. The Curse written by Lee Su Ann, is a novel whose tragic ending caught me by surprise. I am surprised to discover that Madhuris adopted father is the murderer. It is very sad indeed and unacceptable that he kills his own daughter. I find it truly heart wrenching that by the end of the story, Azreen loses all her loved ones: her parents, her loyal friend, the Old Lady and dear sister, Madhuri. It is also sad that Mohd Asraf, who loves Madhuri and wants to take her away to a safe place in Kuala Lumpur, loses the woman that he loves and his dear grandmother. The latter has looked after him since the death of his parents when he is very young and is totally committed and devoted to him. The love Asraf has for his ailing grandmother, keeps her alive for some time but in the end, she has to leave the world.

Despite all the sadness, there is hope at the end of the story. Although Azreen has lost her entire family by then she has the love and support of her foster family. She returns to England to continue her studies. There is even a hint of new love interest in the helpful Julian. Mohd Asraf decides to accept a teaching job in Kuala Lumpur and leaves behind the place that holds sad memories for him. While I do find the ending rather tragic, this is balanced by the hint of new beginnings for the two characters.