Literature : Short Story “Tanjong Rhu”

Complete the table below with the names of the parts of the plot.

Exposition Falling Action Climax Rising Action Resolution

No Details Plot

The following morning after praying and talking to her late

1. husband at the altar, she followed Mr Li to his office. She
concentrated the see- far glasses on the distance to see Tanjong
Rhu while Mr Li wanted to see the ships and the harbour. Then,
she talked nostalgically of seeing Mr Li and the past very well
without the glasses but with her mind’s eye.

Back in the office, Mr Li remembered what he had to do to fulfil

2. Ah Ma’s talk about her keys. He went home but could not find
the key to the drawer.

It was evening but Mr Li was still in his office. He was concerned

3. about something he had left undone. The binoculars on the
table brought back memories of his mother who had just
passed away.

The binoculars were for his mother [Ah Ma] to help her with
4. her sight. When told that they were see-far glasses, Ah Ma
though reluctantly accepted them. However, she wanted to use
them to see Tanjong Rhu, their old place of work and home.

Mr Li tried but could not recollect t well. When he wanted to

5. ask Ah Ma for detail, she was too sick to talk to him. She fretted
about her keys to the altar and then passed away.

Question:

Based on the short story, Tanjong Rhu by Minfong Ho, write on the theme generation gap.
Answering Technique: Introduction, Point 1,Point 2, Point 3, Conclusion,

Answer:

Intro : The short story I have studied is ........................written by ................ One of the theme in the story

is ..................................... This is shown through the characters of ....................., ................. and

................. In the following paragraphs I will discuss on the generation gap with close reference

from the text.

Point 1 : Mr Li, the main character, is a successful businessman. Although he is a man with modern

mindset, Mr Li is filial to his mother who is known as Ah Ma. For example, Mr Li respects his

mother’s traditional practice of ancestral worship belief. He patiently waited for Ah Ma to finish

her prayer before going to his office. Mr Li also teaches his daughter, Ying to show respect to

the elders. This is an important value in Chinese culture.

Point 2 : Besides, the theme is portrayed through the characters of Ah Ma and Ying in the short story. Ah

Ma and Ying have different attitudes towards ancestor worship. Ah Ma insisted on doing the

whole process properly. On the other hand, Ying felt that it did not matter how the prayer is

carried out and does not waste much time. We can see that Ah Ma is very meticulous about the

traditional practices whereas Ying lives a modern lifestyle.

Point 3 : Moreover, Ah Ma maintains a simple lifestyle, while her daughter in-law ,Helen lives a luxurious

life. For instance, Ah Ma rears chickens and takes care of the family altar. Meanwhile, Helen

enjoys going out with friends and eat cakes which are made of foreign fruits. Ah Ma also refuses

to go the cataract operation. She could not bear the idea of cutting her eye open with the latest

technology. This shows that Ah Ma is sceptical of the modern technology ans she rather uses

the binoculars to see better.

Conclusion : In conclusion, the theme generation gap is clearly shown through the characters Mr Li, Ah

Ma and Ying.

Question:

Based on the short story, Tanjong Rhu by Minfong Ho, write on the theme generation gap.

Answering Technique: Introduction, Point 1,Point 2, Point 3, Conclusion,

Answer:

Intro : The short story I have studied is ........................written by ................ One of the theme in the story

is ..................................... This is shown through the characters of ....................., ................. and

................. In the following paragraphs I will discuss on the generation gap with close reference

from the text.

Point 1 : Mr Li, the main character, is a successful businessman. Although he is a man with modern

mindset, Mr Li is filial to his mother who is known as Ah Ma. For example, Mr Li respects his

mother’s traditional practice of ancestral worship belief. He patiently waited for Ah Ma to finish

her prayer before going to his office. Mr Li also teaches his daughter, Ying to show respect to

the elders. This is an important value in Chinese culture.

Point 2 : Besides, the theme is portrayed through the characters of Ah Ma and Ying in the short story. Ah

Ma and Ying have different attitudes towards ancestor worship. Ah Ma insisted on doing the

whole process properly. On the other hand, Ying felt that it did not matter how the prayer is

carried out and does not waste much time. We can see that Ah Ma is very meticulous about the

traditional practices whereas Ying lives a modern lifestyle.

Point 3 : Moreover, Ah Ma maintains a simple lifestyle, while her daughter in-law ,Helen lives a luxurious

life. For instance, Ah Ma rears chickens and takes care of the family altar. Meanwhile, Helen

enjoys going out with friends and eat cakes which are made of foreign fruits. Ah Ma also refuses

to go the cataract operation. She could not bear the idea of cutting her eye open with the latest

technology. This shows that Ah Ma is sceptical of the modern technology ans she rather uses

the binoculars to see better.

Conclusion : In conclusion, the theme generation gap is clearly shown through the characters Mr Li, Ah

Ma and Ying.
 Question:

Based on the short story, Tanjong Rhu by Minfong Ho, write on the most important lesson that you
have learnt.
Answer :

Intro : The short story I have studied is ........................written by ................................ One of the

............................................................. ................in the story is we must be responsible to our

elders. This is shown through the characters of ........................and ................ . In the following

paragraphs I will discuss on being .................................................................. with close reference

from the text.

Point 1 : Mr Li is a responsible son. He takes care of his old mother as she has given birth to him

and took good care of him since he was young. For example, Ah Ma because she did want to

undergo cataract operation . Being a responsible son Mr Li bought a pair of binoculars for his

mother so that she would be able to see more clearly. Mr Li’s responsibility to his mother

inspires me to do the same. I will take good care of my old parents as they had sacrificed a lot for

me.

Point 2 : Besides, when Ah Ma was sick and hospitalized, Mr Li often visits her in the hospital and

accompanied her there. He is very responsible that he doesn’t neglect and abandon his mother.

His daughter, Ying is also responsible as she stays at the hospital to look after her sick

grandmother. I believe it is important to take care of our elders especially when they are sick.

Point 3 : Moreover, Mr Li showed his responsibility when his mother’s funeral rites were carried

out correctly with full of customs and traditions . He also promised Ah Ma that he will take care

of the family altar. One day he rushed home from his office and went into the altar room. He

paid his respects to Ah Ma but could not open the drawer where his mother keeps the joss

sticks.

Conclusion : In a nutshell, we need to be responsible and show our filial piety for our parents.

They are the one who brought us into this world. So we must pay back their sacrifice by

loving them and taking good care of them.

 Question:

Based on the short story, Tanjong Rhu by Minfong Ho, write on a character who inspires you.

Answer :

Intro : The short story I have studied is ........................written by ................................ One of the

character who inspires me is ...................... In the following paragraphs I will discuss on why

.................................................................. with close reference from the text.

Point 1 : Firstly, Mr Li is a responsible son. He takes care of his old mother as she has given birth

to him and took good care of him since he was young. For example, Ah Ma because she did

want to undergo cataract operation . Being a responsible son Mr Li bought a pair of binoculars for

his mother so that she would be able to see more clearly. Mr Li’s responsibility to his mother

inspires me to do the same. I will take good care of my old parents as they had sacrificed a lot for

me.

Point 2 : Besides, Mr Li is a patient and respectful son. He waits for his mother to finish her prayers

although he had to leave for office. He also did not hurry her. He respects his mother and expects

his daughter, Ying to respect elders. After his mother had passed , he bowed to show respect to

his dead parents. Although Mr Li is a rich businessman, he still respects his elders. This is one of

the reason why I inspire Mr Li.

Point 3 : Furthermore, Mr Li is a filial son because he carries out the most important duty as a son

during Ah Ma’s funeral. He made sure his mother’s funeral is done the right way with full of

customs and traditions. He also promised his mother that he will take care of the family altar.

Conclusion : These are the reasons why I inspire Mr Li. I will look up to Mr Li as my role model and be

a responsible, respectful, tolerant and filial daughter/son for my parents.