https://www.scribd.

com/doc/134866854/Neighbours-by-Robert-Raymer

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, modelled,
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
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
Veronicas husband
Works as janitor
Hospitalized
Drinks
Hospitable
Veronica
Food caterer
A housewife
Lily
Academically intelligent
Danny
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. KohMr. KohMiss CheeMr. Tan-

Dr. NathanRamliVeronicaJohnny
4.Discussion questions
a. Do you think this story depicts the society that you live in?
b. Whom do you sympathize with in this story? Why?
c. Do you think individuals like Mrs. Koh are detrimental to society?
Explain.5.
d. Write out a poem based on the characters in the story.
5. 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)