TANJONG RHU BY MINFONG HO

ACTIVITY 1 : PLOT ANALYSIS

I) Plot sypnosis

Tanjong Rhu is a simple yet profound story about the relationship

between Mr. T.W. Li, a rich businessman in the shipping business
and his mother, Ah Ma.

Mr. Li has his office at Shenton Way and is modern in his ways
and ideas. His mother is traditional with strong religious beliefs
and practises ancestor worship religiously. They have a close
relationship although Mr. Li does not seem to realise it.

They day after Ah Mas funeral, Mr. Li recalls the day he told his
mother about using binoculars. While he wants her to have better
vision, she however hopes to see her husbands shipyard in
Tanjung Rhu. She tells Mr.Li she sees his childhood days when
they enjoyed walks on Tanjung Rhu beach in her minds eyes

Mr. Li cannot remember all these details and wants to ask Ah Ma

further. But, she becomes very sick and unable to talk much.

She manages to convey the urgency of a hidden key to the altar

before draws her last breath.

He promises to fulfil this last wish of hers. But, he is unable to

find the key.