TANJONG RHU

MINFONG HO
IN HISTORY
• Named after the Casuarina trees (pokok Ru) growing along
the coast of Kallang and Rochore.
• The whole of Tanjong Rhu was designated to be a marine yard
by Raffles in 1822.
• With the development of trade, the shipyard industry in
Tanjong Rhu expanded.
• The boatyards' workers soon settled with their families in
Tanjong Rhu.
• In 1991, Tanjong Rhu was converted into a 34 ha residential
enclave with recreational facilities.
• Today, Tanjong Rhu presents itself as an exclusive private
residential area boasting the island's most prestigious
waterfront condominiums
The Writer
Biography
1. Chinese-American writer
2. Born in Myanmar to Chinese parents.
3. Grew up in Thailand before studying in the US for
her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
4. Her novels focus on the loves of poor people in
South East Asian countries.
TANJONG RHU IN THE PAST

HOUSES ON STILTS
PAST AND PRESENT
MODERN TANJONG RHU
House altar

JOSS STICKS
PHOTO OF THE DEAD

WINE CUPS
Joss Sticks
Gold Papers
Themes
1. Modern values versus traditional values
2. Good communication strengthens family ties
3. Resistance to changes
Moral lessons
• Modern values versus traditional values
Mr. Li Mother
English name – Edward Calls Mr Li “Ah Wah”
Spoke English all day Spoke Cantonese
Did not pay respect for the Insisted on doing prayer the
dead right way
• Lost faith in Chinese
tradition (page 36)
Read Asia Wall Street Journal
Saw the modern Tanjong Rhu Saw the past Tanjong Rhu
• A young her
• Little Ah Wah
Good communication strengthens family ties
1. Mr. Li regretted for not spending time with his
mother.
• Page 30: “Why have I forgotten it all? I never asked…I never
sat down and talked to her. I never listened”.
2. Mr. Li found it hard to talk to his mother in
Cantonese.
3. Mr. Li was also not so close to his own daughter
Ying.
4. Mr. Li spoke less with his wife.
Resistance To Changes
1. Mr. Li’s mother only wanted to remember the old
days.
• She refused to see the modern Tanjong Rhu
although her son had bought her the binoculars to
help her enjoy the view clearly.
2. She insisted on burning real candles for the altar
until the room was almost set on fire. Only then,
she agreed to use electric candle lights.
THE END