3) Tanjung Rhu: THE QUESTION ON EVENT

QUESTION:

From the story that you have studied, describe an event that you find most memorable. Give reasons for your answer with close reference to the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER

PARAGRAPH	The Points	The Full Answer
1	·         State the title of the story ·         Synopsis	The short story that I have studied is Tanjung Rhu. This story is about the bond between a son, Mr Li, and his mother, Ah Ma. Mr Li is a modern businessman who has neglected his Chinese practices whereas Ah Ma still holds on to the rituals. Ah Ma cherishes her memories when Mr Li was still a boy although Mr Li does not think much of it. When Ah Ma died, Mr Li missed her and started to fulfil her wish of looking after the altar.
2	Describe the event	The event that I find most memorable is when Mr Li rushed home to light the altar in his house. This happened a day after his mother’s passing. At that time, Mr Li was in his office. As he was looking out from the window of his office towards Tanjung Rhu, he recalled some memories of his mother. Then, he felt that he had to do something for her so he rushed home to the altar. This altar was always used by his mother when she was still alive. She looked after it and she had her husband’s photo hanging by the wall at the altar. She used to burn joss sticks when she prayed there. The sticks were kept in a locked drawer. When Mr Li got home, he tried to look for the sticks but he couldn’t find the key to the drawer. Instead, he switched on the electric candles and he spoke to his mother’s photo on the wall.
3	Reason 1	There are three reasons why I find this event most memorable. First, this event allows us to see how much Mr Li cares and loves his mother. She grew old in his house, he put her in the hospital when she was ill, he gave her a proper burial and he tried to fulfil he wish of looking after the altar. This event completes the image of Mr Li as a filial son.
4	Reason 2	Secondly, this event also reflects Mr Li’s true belief of the Chinese rituals despite of the fact that he never joins his mother praying at the altar. This belief emerged after her death as he rushed home to light the altar and spoke to his mother’s photo.
5	Reason 3	Third, this event contains an important moral value which is the importance of cherishing one’s mother. Ah Ma was very different from Mr Li. She was old fashioned but he was modern and successful. Despite these differences, Mr Li respected his mother and tried his best to make her happy. Even after her death, he tried to be a good son by lighting the altar for her and speaking to her photo.
6	Conclusion	There are a few memorable events in this story. Based on the reasons stated above, the most memorable one is the incident when Mr Li rushed home to light the altar for his mother.