WE COULD **** YOU,

MR BIRCH
by Kee Thuan Chye

Analysis of theme

History vs. Fiction

O Truth depends on who is telling the

history and what he is trying to get across,

who his audience are.
E.g. (pg14)
History? What history? We are creating
fiction, Yatim. This is fiction. History is fiction.

History is
fiction

History vs. Fiction

ctd.

O The author is repeating some

important incidents which occurred

in history through the drop of the
characters in his play.
O Reinforces the notion that history is
fiction
O The audience are exposed to some
truths as presented by the
playwright and the actors.

History vs. Fiction

ctd.

O History can even be manipulated to

convey opposing truths.

E. g. (pg15)
Frank Swettenham- In Mr Birch the
British Government lost one of its most
courageous, able, and zealous officers.
Sir High Low- Birch was violent, drank,
and did some high-handed things.

History vs. Fiction

Historical
characters
Mr. Birch
In history, he was killed
Pandak Indut and Si Puntum
(Some said he was killed by
Si Puntum & Tok Sagor)

Fiction characters
Mastura
-She is educated and she is
challenged for equal rights
with mens.
-She is used to stereotype
the roles of women

Sultan Abdullah
In history, he was banished
to Seychelled Island on his
mistake of signing Perjanjian
Pangkor

Kuntum
-A married slave who was
abused by Dato Sagor

History vs Fiction
Historical
characters
Sir Andrew Clarke
In history, he was known for
signing the famous Pangkor
Treaty in 1874, which
established British indirect
rule over the Malayan States
Sultan Ismail
In history, he was
proclaimed Sultan in 1871
after the demise of
Almarhum Sultan Ali

Fiction characters
Sofea & Ashburn
-The author uses the
characters to stereotype
both men and women in
past, present or even future.