Tuesday, June 29, 2010 . 9:03 PM

Jian Kai : I am really sorry if I go off topic. I am typing this without any reference like notes or books regarding off centre . Why does Vinod act to be strong in front if Saloma at the start but weak in the end ?

So, let me first start by saying about his education . Since he is highly educated and has been through all walks of life ( like NUS , National Service etc ), he must have know a bit about how the society works. In the 1990s, Singapore is launching many campaigns and trying to be as competitive as it can be, so as its people . People are constantly competing, striving to be the best. Since Vinod knows about that, he himself, must also be competitive so that he will not lose out to other people despite he is a ex-mental patient. This society trend perhaps caused him to appear strong, pretending to be normal in front of other people. This may explain why he is always so initiative, positive on the outside . That is because this is how people in the society behave. With reference to Act 5, he did mention that he is tired being in the rat race and what they can do with a mentally ill rat . The race, perhaps symbolising society, lead him to be competing since he was studying . That explains the best speaker trophy, best debater award and of course , fantastic A level results . With all these education , society stress intake that Vinod has gotten , he has carved out a self that is full of confidence, knowledgeable and optimistic towards life . In fact, he is suffering from severe depression. That may explain why there is a reversal of roles when the robbery happened. Firstly, his condition worsened. Secondly, he was fired from his job and was always playing at the void deck with Saloma , in a way he has lost touch with the society , causing him to reveal his true self. As time progresses, his self that has been shaped out to face the society, to interact with people is gone. That reiterated why there is a reversal of roles after the robbery, perhaps his outer self can't handle the pressure after a long time not being in the society. In conclusion, he was strong at the start because he was still in touch with the society before Vinod knows Saloma. However, as time passes, he revealed his true self and hence, became weak .

Secondly , his family. Vinod's parents hold high positions in the society. Which means they will have a certain expectation from Vinod. That can be found in Act 1 ( at the restaurant ) where he mentions that he has to be a public prosecutor. However, the play itself shows that the relationship between Vinod and his parents are very distant. The lack of family support is one of the key fundamentals which will prevent a mentally ill patient from getting well. That explains why Vinod always dances and does the rattling motion in his room. I think he did that because he is very caught up with life, not being able to have the freedom that he truly wants.

Leon:Well since Jian Kai made a good point I thought I must as well add on with a discovery.
Through the point that JK made, it shows that Singapore is very demanding and only by being the top then we are able to satisfied our parents expectation, what society expect us to do. By striving to be the best, we accumulate a lot of stress and some people may have a breakdown as a result of not being able to take the stress like Vinod.

Another Reason why does Vinod act strong in front of Saloma, is because he wants Saloma to get better by being a pillar of support to her. By showing that he is strong and is able to do things like a normal person even though he's mental ill, it gives Saloma a sort of encouragement and also goal. This is seen in the way he set examples for Saloma, like subscribing newspaper for her to read and also dedicating songs to each other

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 . 9:08 PM

Poor blog, it has been dead for quite a few months and I guess it is time to revive this blog again. Well, let me start the ball rolling . Please give solid statement, elaboration and evidences with reference to the whole play. Please be specific in your answer and never ramble .

Jian Kai : What does the bird in the scene of Saloma and Vinod not meeting each other relate to the epilogue in the end ?

Leon: I don't remember how the bird relates to the epilogue but I remember what it symbolism,Saloma situation, the bird escaped from the void deck and went to Saloma's room. This is similar to Saloma situation as when the bird escape from the cage it expose itself to danger however in exchange the bird got freedom. Comparing to it when it's in the cage, it safety is assured but it has no freedom. This is similar to Saloma situation where she wants to go out to society even though she is exposing herself to criticism and the pressure of being different when she be safe if she lock herself in her room.(P.S Sorry for not being able to answer the question)

Jian Kai : I think the bird symbolises freedom . With relation to the restaurant , the bird represents freedom , such that the bird can sing to the statue , meaning the bird is very carefree . With relation to the scene where Vinod and Saloma not meeting , the bird escaped from its cage . This bird perhaps symbolises Saloma , where the room is the cage . The bird escaped from the cage may be because it is trying to hunt for food by itself, while searching for freedom . In the past , Saloma is having a mindset of to be safe , she must stay in the cage . This can also be a reference of how she changed to become strong . With relation to the epilogue , the bird symbolises Vinod . Perhaps Saloma knows Vinod is dead , but , she just want to double assure with the audiecne and hope that no one will catch him because he finally got his freedom .