literature

Q1. "However, China had nothing to say to my spirit, if indeed land speaks to spirit. My spirit was as alien here as I was. It inclined towards a diamond city of trees and meaningful occupation, efficiently sparkling in the modern world. that was where I truly belonged, among skyscrapers with glass fonts and gold-encrusted orchids."Do you think the reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt? Why or why not? How would you describe your feelings towards Singapore, using imagery you feel suitable?

A: reference to Singapore as a "diamond city" is apt. as he said 'my spirit was as alien here as I was', this meant he could no longer treat China as his 'diamond city' since left there when he was young. And, he feels so much more closer to Singapore and treat it as his 'diamond city' without fail. My feelings towards Singapore would be described as there always many things awaiting for us in our everyday life.

2. "With great grandness, my uncle ordered orange drinks from the waiter. He criticized the glasses as dirty when the drinks arrived and insisted on new ones..... I kept buying him the orange drinks he swallowed with suck relish."Why do you think her uncle behaves in this manner? Do you feel sorry for him or do you regard him with distaste, as his niece does?

A:I think her uncle behaves this way because he had to do all the hard work when he returned to China and suffer all the hardship. He found it unfair and he started to be more demanding from his brother to recoup his losses in the early days. I do not feel sorry for him because it was his job to take charge of the situation and he has no one to blame, but himself. He could have chosen to stay in Singapore and not return to China.

3. "I returned to Singapore alienated from the china I saw, but no less eager to listen to my father's stories of the most beautiful lands."Do you find this contradiction? Why or why not?
A: Yes, I find it contradicting because she did not find what her father said and what she saw was similar, but she still wants to find out more about what her father thinks of China without knowing that China has changed so much until it is no longer the China he knew.

4. "A country is only as good as its men. My father is a good man.... whichever country can clain him as its own."What do you think the narrator means by the first statement? To what extent would you agree that her father is a good man? Give reasons for your answer. Which country, do you think, should claim him for its own?

A: 'A country is only as good as its men.' Its means that whatever the men believes its country, as long as he has confidence in the country, the country will be what the men believes. To a large extent I agree her father is a good man. When he had to send more money to his brother in china, he did not complain and he think it is his job to send money to his brother as he did not help him during the young days. He might feel annoyed by his brother's act, but he did not express it out, for he believed that his brother is still wonderful deep down in his heart. Thus he did not want to spoil his image in front of other people. In my opinion, Singapore should claim him for its own. It's only fair for him to enjoy his life in Singapore but not return to China to work hard again to support his brother