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Singaporean Literature PDF
Singaporean Literature PDF
SINGAPOREAN POETRY
Literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas
by the use of distinctive style and rhythm
Unclear which was the first work but there’s a trace as early as 1830s
F.S.M.R
by Francis P. Ng (Teo Poh Leng)
about the train ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malay States
Railways, inspired by T.S. Elliot’s, The Waste Land.
FINDING FRANCIS: A POETIC ADVENTURE
October 2010
by Dr. Ericko Schuck and Anne Teo
1965 is the new wave of Singaporean writing
First Generation of Singaporean Writers, led by Edwin Thumboo; called
Thumboo’s Generation
Thumboo wrote mostly lyrical poetry based on personal experiences
Edwin Thumboo is often dubbed as Singapore’s Unofficial Poete Laureate because of
his poems with nationalistic themes.
SINGAPOREAN DRAMA
Drama is a mode of fictional representation through dialogue and performance. Its
composition is in prose or verse presenting a story in pantomime or dialogue.
EMILY OF EMERALD HILL: A MONOLOGUE
by Stella Kon
about an ageing Peranakan matriarch
character has been played by men, as well as women
SINGAPOREAN FICTION
Fiction is created from the imagination and not presented as fact
did not start in earnest until after independence
comprises of short stories and novels
IF WE DREAM TOO LONG
recognised as the first true Singaporean novel
by Goh Poh Seng
C H I L D R E N ‘ S L I T E RA T U R E
gained momentum in recent years due to increased interest in the genre generated by the
First Time Writers and Illustrators’ Initiative
CHARACTERISTICS
multilingual
political
personal (sexuality and perspective of Singaporean Life)
cultural
societal
SINGAPOREAN WRITERS
Catherine Lim
Singapore’s widely known author
hailed as “doyenne of Singapore writers”
themes: Asian male, chauvinistic gender-dominance
“The Bond Made”
Joan Hon
pen name: “Han May”
known for fiction books
“Star Sapphire”
Haresh Sharma
playwright who has written more than fifty plays that have been staged all over
the world
“Those Who Can’t, Teach”
SINGAPOREAN STORIES
“Little Ironies”
by Catherine Lim
collection of short stories concerning modern Singapore life, mostly involving
the Singaporean Chinese community.
“Taximan’s Story”
the irony is the fact that the taximan criticizes young people of our generation for
being too immature by hanging out in places like Hotel McElroy; while he still
goes there to make an easy living as Hotel McElroy is a popular spot to earn a
living
This is an act of contradiction, and instead of ‘practicising what he has
preached’, he has gone against his stand and decides to put money and to make
a living over his own beliefs and mind-set.