An Opinion Letter To The Star Newspaper Editor : The Unforgotten Malayan Florence Nightingale – The Recognition & Appreciation For Sybil Kathigasu.

Sybil Kathigasu (nee Daly) was a Eurasian nurse born in Medan, Indonesia but later dwelt in Perak with her doctor husband. She had been smuggling and giving medicines to those who were fighting the Japanese during the 3 years of Nippon’s Occupation in Malaya. When her activity was found out, she was captured and tortured. The injuries badly affected her body that although after Japanese raised the white flag and she was flown to England for treatment, she couldn’t be saved and died. There is a road in Ipoh, Perak that immortalized her name to commemorate her heroic deeds.

Google remembered Kathigasu’s 117th birthday last year with its beautiful doodle.

The Studio Actor’s revival on Sybil Kathigasu’s heroic deeds.

As a primary school teacher and now under the KSSR policy introduced since 2011, I teach Science and English at my school, SK Serendah at the district of Hulu Selangor. Although I am a Science teacher by designation, I am also assigned and MUST teach English due to the fact that I passed the Cambridge Placement Test in 2014 and I took the RM3000 incentive and as part of the deal, I HAVE to teach English as long as I am serving as school teacher (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2014/08/19/a-science-teacher-who-teaches-english-result-of-the-cambridge-placement-test-cpt-2012/). Now, there is a chapter called “Real-Life Heroes” in Year 5 English Text Book and Sybil Kathigasu was depicted in it along with other unsung heroes such as Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood and Datin Paduka A. Mangalam.

The book on her. One day, I want to read this book!

The image used in the Year 5 English textbook. Teaching suburban pupils is not easy. I have to explain the historical lineage of Eurasian prior going “in-depth” on Kathigasu’s history. That is the extra miles that a primary school teacher has to go in order to embed the lessons in the pupils’ minds.

A road in Ipoh is dedicated to Sybil Kathigasu.

I am historical freak. I got excited when I teach historical component incorporated in English Language syllabus to my pupils. As the set induction, I showed to my pupils the dramatization clips of Sybil Kathigasu’s heroic deeds (which by the way was in Malay Language! That’s easier for my suburban pupils to relate to!), starring Kathigasu’s own grandniece, actress and ex-Miss Malaysia Elaine Daly as Miss Kathigasu. The silverscreen adaptation was directed by Bernard Chauly and boasted local casts such as Beto Khusyairy, etc. When my pupils saw the scene where Japanese oppressed our local people and Kathigasu (played by Daly) was tortured by the Kempetai, they were angry and sad; and finally understood what I have been saying in the class about appreciating our forefathers and ancestors who have been fighting the trespassing colonists! Well, that was me, BEFORE I pursue my PhD journey. Now that I am so engrossed with my doctoral degree thesis and recently as The Treasurer of Parents & Teachers Association (PTA a.k.a. PIBG), I have to admit that my enthusiasm to give my all to the pupils is a bit faded. I do give my best in sense of all the input I have but to book the computer lab, to create fun-with-realia activities or anything that needs preparations prior to the lessons – are not in my book, anymore.

Sybil Kathigasu’s own grandniece, ex-Miss Malaysia Elaine Daly played her in “Apa Dosaku?” – a silverscreen adaptation of Sybil Kathigasu’s heroic deeds.

Anyway, this issue with Sybil Kathigasu has been in the picture since last year. I remember reading how a reader lamented that Kathigasu is being “overlooked” by The Authority and her deeds were not appreciated and that reader “suggested” that Kathigasu to be incorporated in the text books so that younger generation would know her. BUT LITTLE THAT THE READER REALIZE that Kathigasu has already been in the Year 5 Text Book since 2013-2014!!! And this year, particularly TODAY, I read again in The Star – a reader (again) lamented how Kathigasu was underappreciated and I scented the hints of that “The Ministry is stoic not to change the syllabus despite knowing the truth” in his letter. He was saying that although Ministry realizes that Kathigasu is a Malayan hero, but there “is no attempt to incorporate her in history syllabuses”. Actually, I do applaud his opinion BUT what I disagree is the tone of shunning the Ministry, as if Kathigasu has NEVER BEEN MENTIONED in any text books!! Therefore, I decided to pen a reply email to The Star Editor (but I don’t put high hope as last year, my reply never seen the broad daylight!) :-

“Dear To Whom It May Concern / The Editor,

 

This is my second time writing on the same issue. The first one was sent to you last year but sadly, my opinion was not published due to unknown reasons. I am writing (again) in responding to allegation that Miss Sybil Kathigasu’s heroic deeds are “overlooked” by The Authority / Ministry (Friday, 22nd September) which is unfortunately still lingering this year. I know that this coming from a good place but I can’t help but to set the record straight that The Ministry has NOT overlooked on Miss Kathigasu’s contributions as she is placed among other Malaysian unsung heroes in Year 5 textbook, in the last chapter called “Real-Life Heroes”!

 

I am writing this on a capacity as a teacher. In fact, I even showed to my pupils the dramatization clips of Miss Kathigasu’s heroic deeds; snippets from Malay Language drama called “Apa Dosaku”, starring Kathigasu’s grandniece, actress Elaine Daly as Kathigasu herself. My pupils gasped seeing the depiction of Kathigasu’being tortured by the Kempetai and later related to me how they were moved by the clips. Therefore, it is absurd to say that The Ministry has done nothing to “recognize” Kathigasu as a Malayan Hero! The text book was launched approximately 3-4 years ago, so by now the younger generation should have been more alert with Kathigasu’s story.

 

I understand the idea to elevate Kathigasu as one of the historical syllabuses in text book but to write as if The Ministry has been feigning deaf ears in regards of acknowledging Kathigasu as a Malayan Hero; – I would say it is preposterous. I humbly suggest that we do homework first before lamenting about something; for instance, do check all the existing text books BEFORE pinpointing the blame to The Ministry. It is very disappointing to read “high and mighty” ideas that lack appropriate background checking.

 

I hope that by illustrating the fact that Kathigasu has indeed being acknowledged in Year 5 English text books, along with Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood and Datin Paduka Mother A. Mangalam, the blaming game is put to rest. Miss Kathigasu is indeed a Malayan Hero and she is never forgotten as forever she will be etched in our hearts.”

Well, as a teacher I guess I need to set the record straight, no? I hope that the next time when people decide to pick on our nation’s education syllabuses, they would AT LEAST make effort to check every single text books BEFORE lashing out their venom. And as for Miss Kathigasu, you are always will be remembered as our own Florence Nightingale. God bless.

I am always one of Red Communications’ fans! Simply love their movies and films! Well, I even blogged on “Manisnya Cinta Di Cappadocia” though I am not a Malay soap opera fan! 

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Shahrill’s Road To PhD, My 3rd Semester : My Thesis Progress & My Premature Qualitative Appreciation.

This week marks the 1st week of my 3rd semester. The journey of my Road to PhD. This semester is going to be the busiest. I have a lot of things to settle up on my sleeves. I have to prepare my Proposal Defense, I have to start drafting articles for submission (requirements to graduate) and I have to focus on Qualitative Research class.

I’ve been reading Foss’s online version of the book. It is so good. No wonder she is a renowned Rhetorician. I am planning to buy this at Kinokuniya. Hope it an’t that expensive!

At this juncture, I am feeling positive about my proposal. I admit that I’ve been procrastinating and taken my “time-off” during my 2nd semester as the motivation graph plunged into the abyss. But since I’ve started my Literature Review and I’ve encountered a few academic journals in attempt to understand the implementation of rhetoric in speeches, my vision has become clearer and I also now have that skeleton of ideas in my mind on the niche I want to tackle for my articles.

So far, materials on rhetoric in political speeches are definitely abundant, especially by those academicians hailed from United States. I guess that is why Prof Muati initially suggested me to analyze the rhetorical implementation of our local politicians, here. I also found out that rhetorical in business speeches and religious speeches are widely used. Nevertheless as I expect, study in humanitarian speeches is not that vast. There are, of course, studies on humanitarian speeches but these are not categorized as Humanitarian Speeches per say – only to be tagged as either political or religious ones. Some of the renowned humanitarian speeches were delivered by :-

• Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” (1963);
• Eleanor Roosevelt’s “The Struggle of Human Rights” (1948);
• Mary Fisher’s “A Whisper of AIDS” (1992);
• Emma Watson’s “HeForShe Campaign” (2014);
• Malala Yousfazai’s United Natios’ speech (2013);
• Mother Teresa’s & Dalai Lama’s speeches, etc

Emma Watson on her gender equality.

Mother Theresa on poverty and compassion towards the oppressed.

Eleanor Roosevelt on human rights.

With this as the gap, I guess I can strengthen my case to be supported to make it legit as a research. And Prof Muati gave consent for that as well. I also came across an article on Style of Speech – one of the 5 Canons of Rhetoric popularized by Cicero and it was written by scholars from UKM entitled “Application of Rhetorical Styles As A Determinant Of The Effectiveness of Oral Communication in Public Lectures”. Since Prof Muati suggested that I look into the Style department which is unlikely to be popular choices amongst budding rhetoricians as they are more keen to see into Invention and Arrangement of the speech; I think I will try to unearth it.

An article from UKM scholars.

And yesterday, I’ve attended my first class outside of my faculty which was Qualitative Research, offered by Faculty of Education. I have to say that it is interesting and I have to agree with what my coursemates have been saying about the different ambiance in comparison to our own faculty. As the matter of fact, I could simply just sit-in the class without taking any exam. But I am deliberating it, still. If I don’t make it as a “compulsory class”, I may not take it seriously, hence the inclination to be procrastinator is immense. Although Qualitative Research is not directly involved with my Rhetorical Criticism Research, but as a Communication lecturer aspirant, I need to master other techniques to add colours to my knowledge. Phd is only the beginning; this is the playground where I need to absorb everything I could to prepare myself for the future arena.

Qualitative Research class by Dr. Murshid. So far it seemed enjoyable!

On whole, I hope this semester will be a fruitful semester for me! Amin!

A Muslimah’s Romance Fantasy Or A Contemporary Conduit Of Dakwah? : The Verses Of Love @ “Ayat-Ayat Cinta” By Habiburahman El Shirazy.

I’ve completed reading the highly-anticipated Indonesian “religious romance” novel written by Habiburahman El Shirazy called “Ayat-Ayat Cinta” (The Verses of Love) &  this is my 3rd Indonesian novel that I read after two of HAMKA’s writings “Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck” (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2016/03/25/the-human-love-an-ephemeral-withered-infatuation-tenggelamnya-kapal-van-der-wijck-by-hamka/) and also “Di Bawah Lindungan Kaabah”. I was so intrigued to read this (although romance isn’t my cup of tea) due to the hype on the novel and the film. So being the curious cat, I have to read this myself to verify the words-of-mouth! Is it true or merely cheap thrill?

This novel chronicled around an Indonesian Al-Azhar graduate named Fahri. As the protagonist, he is described as being a kind and responsible young lad with stoic principles on Islam. In this novel, four women were enamoured with Fahri :-

• Maria Boutros Girgis – daughter of Master Boutros Girgis, their Coptic Christian neighbour. I had the feeling that Shirazy inspired this character from one of Rasulullah SAW’s wives, namely Ummul Mukminin Mariah al-Qibthiya (I’ve written about her in https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/muhammad-saw-he-is-no-son-of-god-episode-ii-the-husband-of-a-jewish-an-egyptian-christian-coptic/); but of course, Wallahualam! ;
• Noura Bahadur – An Egypt girl who was raped by her adopted father and was saved by Fahri;
• Nurul Azkiya – The Indonesian Muslimah students’ leader;
• Aisha – A rich Turkish-German lady with Palestinian blood and she wears a Niqab.

Fahri and Aisha – as per the depiction in the film version.

Maria and Nurul Azkiya have always been besotted towards Fahri but both of them surpressed their feeling and immensely hurt when they later found out that Fahri wedded Aisha. When Noura Bahadur learned this, she was so angry that she then falsely accused Fahri committed rape against her when as the matter of fact she was so in love with Fahri! I had the feeling that in this chapter, Shirazy drew the idea from Prophet Yusuf a.s. (Joseph) when he was jailed for not succumbing to Zuleika’s sexual advance (but then again, just my speculation. Wallahualam!).

Maria Boutrous Girgis.

I think Shirazy did wonderful in describing the exotic desert-like landscape of Egypt with his writing. I guess being an Al-Azhar graduate, he wrote that based on his own observation. The vivid description of the scorching weather, the web of modern transportation, the scenic Nile and Egypt’s geo-population – everything was so graphic and you felt as if you were there as you read the words. I like the whole concept of infusing Quranic verses, Hadiths and even some of the poems by Western philosophers and poets in the narration of the story but I wasn’t feeling that interested when Shirazy wrote on the romantic atmosphere between Fahri and Aisha! Probably because I am not a fan of romantic novel (chick flick?). I felt weird reading this segment in a supposedly “Islamic novel” but then again, I understood where all of these are coming from – maybe Shirazy was trying to hail the “Halal Love” (permissible love) between husband and wife as opposed to hedonistic sexuality in other types of novels.

Aisha.

Some people may agree and some people may disagree – to hail “Ayat-Ayat Cinta” as Dakwah medium. For me, it did brew the magic of Islam as The Way of Life. But to portray Fahri as this nearly perfect man with all the “Muslimahs’ ideal husband materials” is just too much for me to digest. But then again, it’s a fiction. But that doesn’t mean that it is not good. The idea of portraying Aisha as a woman with Niqab is excellent – to portray that to love is not merely superficial but skin-deep as Fahri has never seen Aisha’s face prior to the marriage except for her eyes (he eventually was allowed to see the face when they were deliberating about the marriage prospects). The popularity of Niqab seemed to skyrocket as a few Malaysian and Indonesian dramas began to depict characters with “Niqabis-and-the-mysterious-eyes”(including some celebrities) and you can see that due to this influence, more Malaysian and Indonesian ladies began to don Niqab! Perhaps there is a research that explains this phenomenon?! You guys can always search for the journals.

On top of that, it is also interesting to note that this novel isn’t focusing on polygamous marriage like what it has been publicized about – or at least that was my impression before I read this novel. Fahri was adamant to be married to only Aisha but as Maria became ill (and died later on), Aisha insisted Fahri to marry Maria in order to save her frail life – and to be the witness of the false accusation of Noura Bahadur as Maria saved her together with Fahri. But of course, I am annoyed with Fahri’s character – from someone who adamantly wanted to be loyal to Aisha to someone who has no qualm on serenading Maria with “Ayat-Ayat Cinta”! But, this proves to be a goldmine amongst the Muslimah readers I am sure (their fantasies to have that pious husbands as their Imams, all sort).

Aisha is portrayed as wearing a Niqab but in the novel it is also stated that she is a moderate Muslim and wearing Niqab is not a compulsory (When Fahri stated his anxiety about Aisha’s Niqab, if they were to reside in Indonesia as Indonesians are written as to have pessimistic views on women who wear Niqab).

 On whole, this novel is alright. But for me, it is still a far cry from HAMKA’s league. Nonetheless, it is a subtle Dakwah medium by using casual approach to disseminate the Light of Islam.

Feasting On Fear Of A Clown, Coulrophobia : The Stephen King’s “It” Film Review @ A Comparison Between 1990 & 2017 Silver Screen Adaptations.

It’s not far-fetched to claim that Stephen King is one of my biggest influence in improving my English as a non-Native Speaker, apart from Enid Blyton. Having a sister who was so into his horror novels, I was sucked into that interest as well, initially out of curiosity. Been reading his writings such as “The Shining”, “The Stand”, “Hearts of Atlantis”, “Christine”, “Pet Sematary”, “Bag of Bones”, “The Dark Half”, “Four Past Midnight”,”Carrie”, etc! True, his writings are graphic and quite nauseating to the faint hearts but I guess having that duality Gemini in me, I am kinda blended with the gory flavour. I’ve written some of the novel reviews in my blog such as (mind my flawed language. I gradually perfecting my language prowess as years go by. Haha!) :-

  

• “Pet Sematary” @ 18th June 2008 (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/stephen-kings-pet-sematary/);
• “Salem’s Lot” @ 18th January 2008 (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/a-quick-jot-from-assistant-relationship-manager-childlike-review-on-stephen-kings-salems-lot/);
• “The Dark Half” 1st Review @ 18th April 2007 (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2007/04/18/whimsical-writing-the-dark-half-by-stephen-king/);
• “The Dark Half” 2nd Review @ 30th November 2011 (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/diabolically-quenching-back-to-black-part-i-the-dark-half-by-stephen-king/);
• “Christine” @ 2 December 2011 (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/diabolically-quenching-back-to-black-part-ii-christine-by-stephen-king-the-rage-of-a-plymouth-fury-58/);
• “Carrie” @ 26th August 2010 (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/nuzul-al-quran-finale-of-heavenly-revelation-stephen-kings-carrie-possibly-pharyngitis/);
• “The Shining” @ 24th January 2012 (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/diabolically-quenching-back-to-black-part-iii-the-wrath-of-alcohol-addiction-stephen-kings-the-shining/).

   

When we were little back in FRU Flats, Penang; we watched the drama adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” like most of other Malaysian 90s babies and teenagers. Sure, it scared the shits out of us!! But there was this curiosity of wanting to know the ending of the story. As the miniseries was split into two parts for two nights (in TV2’s Dunhill Double!) due to the lengthy plot, my sister and I had that dilemma whether to watch the subsequent plot on the second night – but curiosity won and we watched it till the end! Hahaha!

The posters from my Instagram account – The 2017 version & the 1990 version.

After a few years when I finally read the novel, I learned that the real story written was more horrifying than the dramatization – there were endless curses, homophobic paranoia (one of the victims was a drag queen performer and he did some fellatio!), paedophilic orgy (Beverly had to have sex with all the boys as ritual!), etc! Nevertheless, the gist of the story was full of thrilling excitement and really played with your unfathomable nightmare. By naming the spirit It (for not knowing the real shape of the entity, although finally it was revealed that it embodied an arachnid-shaped!), Stephen King was toying with the sense of mystery with the readers as well. It manipulated the unknown fear amongst humans.

The book cover version we have at home!

The man behind the gory tales. Some said he has the inclination of writing horror stories due to a traumatic accident he saw when he was a kid, but he disputed that.

So, you can imagine how excited my sister and I when we learned that there would be a new revamped version of film adaptation of the novel in 2017! After watching the 2017 version, I would say that as a stand-alone film, the new version was alright as the cinematography was amazing and shocking gory scenes really curled your body hairs and not to say, heart-pumping as well! The current-modern CGI technology also helped the 2017 film to be more visually-friendly towards the gory scenes (blood erupted from the sink, etc). NEVERTHELESS, if you are a Stephen King’s die-hard fan who have been reading his NOVELS, you will be disappointed a little bit due to the film’s alteration from the novel. Why? Because you expect that the script would be true to the essence of the novel and you hoped that the film maker would be able to infuse the whole plot into one film; from the team’s childhood and defeated It and later reunited 27 years later to battle the resurrected It, again! But of course since the 2017’s version is dubbed as CHAPTER 1; it could be that the film producers have decided to focus on the kids as grown up and battling It 27 years later in a separate movie!

Tim Curry as Pennywise The Clown in the 1990 version.

Bill Skasgard as Pennywise The Clown in 2017 version.

So, to sum up my review, the 2017 version isn’t that bad, it has its strength and beautifully-crafted although some of the original scenes in 1990’s miniseries and in the novel were omitted – BUT for Stephen King’s fan, it is just a mediocre adaptation of King’s excellent gory masterpiece, if not the greatest.

It was sibling bonding time! Reminiscing our childhood nightmares! Haha! A long way from Penang to Putrajaya, no?

The Occidental Writing On The Colonial Pages : An Oriental Response Towards White Supremacy @ 1914 “The Black Pearl Of Peihoo : A Tale Of The Malay Seas” By Stanley Portal Hyatt.

Two years ago, I saw a circulation in Facebook – an excerpt from a Malay blogger claiming that the character Jack Sparrow in the famous Hollywood franchise of “Pirates of Caribbean” was actually a Malay and the character was not an original Disney’s but as the matter of fact was based on an old novel called “The Black Pearl of Peihoo : A Tale of The Malay Seas”. As I am a self-confessed literature and history aficionados, I was intrigued by these revelations – not the idea that Sparrow was an alleged Malay but the fact that the origination of the character was actually based on a novel. I kept an ambition to purchase this book but the hunting process was put on halt due to circumstances – until this year.

 

Some of the hard-cover editions.

My printed version from the PDF. I am such an old-school. I need to hold my book and I can’t stand reading through electronic gadgets! Haha!

I saw the hard-cover version, an original publication from the pre-Malayan Independence days at Kinokuniya KLCC which was displayed in a glass shelf. I saw the price and it was tagged as RM400! Oh, my! I was so keen to buy the book and I have that fetish on old books/parchments as well – but being rational, I didn’t like to waste my RM400 on the book! So, I’ve been lamenting my unpleasantness in social media and so happened that my sister saw that. She spontaneously searched a PDF version of the book for me and sent that to me! It took me around 2 months to finish the  book (of which I’ve diligently printed from the PDF version because I am so an old-school person who likes to hold his reading materials rather than browsing through electronic gadgets; but not when it comes to doing my PhD Research, no? Hahaha!).

There are 35 chapters consisted in the book and was written by Stanley Portal Hyatt in 1914. According to Wikipedia, he was an English explorer hailed from an affluent family but decided to leave the wealth to have adventures in the new uncharted Promised Lands. I found that his writing in “The Black Pearl of Peihoo” was undeniably saturated with racism and White Men’s Burden sentiment (as the matter of fact, I’ve written entries pertaining this issue; REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2015/04/02/the-eengggglish-wwwhiihite-meeens-buurden-experience-from-london-to-leeds-a-malaysian-sister-traumatic-encounter-with-a-white-trash/ for my own sister’s racist experience; and many more). These are evident through the interactions portrayed by the main character (Jack Wayne) – in the dialogues as well as their inner perception towards the coloured people, as per paragraph on page 179:-

“Colombo is like kaleidoscope – all the nations of the earth pass in review before you there, the rich people of the nations, not, as in Mauritius and Borneo, the mere scum.”

Besides that, it was bewildering to read how uncouth and proud these Caucasians could be; on their white skin-colour and that EVERY NON-WHITE GLOBAL CITIZEN IS TO BE PERCEIVED AS BENEATH THEM :-

• P. Van der Humm, the antagonist of the story is portrayed as “hideous dwarf” and a mixed parentage of Dutch, Javanese, Filipino, Dyak;
• Manoel Da Silva, a crook is portrayed as “half-breed with ugly expression” – a mixed parentage of English and Portuguese;
• Ah Lung – the protagonist’s cook and loyal bodyguard – BUT STILL is labeled as beneath the Caucasian masters as he is of “yellow-skinned”. This reminds me of the Yellow Fever in the US years ago!;
• Mahomed – a Malay who is portrayed as “stupid native savage” who finally was bitten by a poisonous snake;
• The Palapogs, Raja Sayed, Timbota, The African villagers – all of them are described as being “uncivilized savages”.

Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that Jack Wayne (main character)’s rival named Sebag Tolhurst is described as an accomplice to Van der Humm – but still is portrayed as “cultured English among the savages”. I am not an anti-Semitic person but if I am not mistaken, Sebag is a Jewish name, no? I recalled reading the book “Jerusalem : The Biography” and the name of the author is Sebag Montefiore. Seemed like if you are of an ethnic that posses fair skin complexion, nearing the Caucasians’, then you would not be the subject of Portal’s racism description (although this is definitely contradicting the Aryan & Nazism propaganda in the Hitler’s days!).

Coincidental? Or plagiarism? Haha!

And to correlate the novel with “The Pirates of Caribbean” – I have found a few familiar characters in the novel that are similar to the films such as :-

• Jack Wayne (Jack Sparrow?);
• Captain Davy Jones;
• One of the chapters entitled – “Dead Men Tell No Tales” (the latest film franchise was entitled the same!);
• Black Pearl of Peihoo (but the film named the ship as Black Pearl).

Was it coincidental? Or was it a plagiarism? Or was it a mutual copyright trading? But Disney has never publicly acknowledge the connection, if there was any. What mentioned was merely that the film franchise was based on a Disneyland’s theme park. Any hint on this Portal’s writing is simply a non-existence – until our Malay bloggers unearth the treasure!

 

Overall, I can say that I am quite disgusted by Portal’s racism view. Nevertheless, one good point that I obtain from this novel although as provocative as it is – I managed to fathom the psychological view and mindsets of these racist colonists as I am a post-Independence baby. Racism is such an obsolete ideology but the existence cannot be denied. It exists in every crevice of our society as much as we want to sugarcoat that with diplomatic wordings. Nevertheless, what we should do is to curb it from becoming a lethal widespread epidemic or at least be sensitive towards others by not acknowledging it bluntly.

As this is the second colonial book I’ve read (The 1st one was “Almayer’s Folly” by Joseph Conrad; REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/a-tragic-estuary-of-race-raucous-a-caucasian-fathers-love-to-a-half-malay-daughter-almayers-folly-by-joseph-conrad/), I can vouch that my horizon on the society is enriched, even more. Book is such a passport to broaden your horizon, no? I know that not all white people share the same ultra-racism sentiment. And I admit that even amongst the coloured people, there are some racism blossoming that contradicting each other (as per among the Caucasian people, as well). But history as it is. And we should learn from it, as to make the world a better place.

I Am No Angel : Unfaithful, The Story Of A Wanton Alter-Ego.

I am at the crossroads between morality and infidelity. The same feeling which occurred 7 years ago, is haunting me again. I’ve always been a monogamous but when things get murky and uncertain for the past 18 months and I was put in uncertain spot, the suppressed Daemon was beginning to take control – and I unleashed that wanton side of me, last week.

What happened last week were spontaneous. Two rendezvouses with sports aficionados, apart within merely a day. And what bothers me is that I am feeling that I want to do that again. The thrill, the no-strings-attach idea, no frills and commitments. But as good as it gets, the moment I was led astray was the untimely moment where my stale relationship was staring to be getting a boost, patch-up. Every time I had conversation, the guilt is haunting me. And my life is no more peaceful like it is used to be. I have this unsettling soul. I just hope that I would be able to pass this craze. 

What I am feeling now is certainly like Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” lyrics. I don’t wanna be a murderer.

Story of my life
Searching for the right
But it keeps avoiding me
Sorrow in my soul
‘Cause it seems that wrong
Really loves my company

He’s more than a man
And this is more than love
The reason that the sky is blue
The clouds are rolling in
Because I’m gone again
And to him I just can’t be true

And I know that he knows I’m unfaithful
And it kills him inside
To know that I am happy with some other guy
I can see him dying

I don’t wanna do this anymore
I don’t wanna be the reason why
Every time I walk out the door
I see him die a little more inside
I don’t wanna hurt him anymore
I don’t wanna take away his life
I don’t wanna be…
A murderer

I feel it in the air
As I’m doing my hair
Preparing for another date
A kiss upon my cheek
As he reluctantly
Asks if I’m gonna be out late
I say I won’t be long
Just hanging with the girls
A lie I didn’t have to tell
Because we both know
Where I’m about to go
And we know it very well

‘Cause I know that he knows I’m unfaithful
And it kills him inside
To know that I am happy with some other guy
I can see him dying

I don’t wanna do this anymore
I don’t wanna be the reason why
Every time I walk out the door
I see him die a little more inside
I don’t wanna hurt him anymore
I don’t wanna take away his life
I don’t wanna be…
A murderer

Our love, his trust
I might as well take a gun and put it to his head
Get it over with
I don’t wanna do this
Anymore
Whoa, oh.
Anymore (anymore)

A Satire Towards The American Egalitarian Spirit : Defying The Apartheid, Sexism & Societal Segregation @ “To Kill A Mockingbird” By Harper Lee.

Finally, I can be proud that I’ve successfully read the celebrated, Pulitzer-Prize winning novel by Harper Lee, “To Kill A Mockingbird” after twice futile attempts in the previous years! Haha! Now, this novel is far older than I am, being released in 1960. I have been hearing rave reviews about this novel so I told myself that I have to read this to evaluate myself!

At the essence, this story presents its protagonist in the form of an 8 years old girl named Scout Finch. She and her brother, Jem Finch lived in a town called Maycomb in Alabama during the 1920s where racism, sexism and societal segregation were still very much prevalent. From the eyes of this little girl, readers are taken to witness the bricks and bouquets of prejudice and how the very thoughts of the untainted innocent minds could be taken into consideration by the “learned” adults. Apart from that, fatherhood also was highlighted in this novel in the form of the unique bond between Scout Finch and her lawyer father, Atticus Finch.

The main character, Scout Finch. A boisterous 8 years old girl.

The character, Atticus Finch as a lawyer is defending Tom Robbinson, the alleged black man who was accused to rape a white woman. 

Readers were taken to the time where apartheid was intact; Black People worked as slaves and maids in the Caucasians’ households. It is interesting to the dynamic interaction between Calpurnia, the Finch’s maid with Scout. As a boisterous girl, Scout hated the idea of having Calpurnia being so strict upon her and reprimanded her for not being a ladylike, yet she adored Calpurnia as a mother figure and treasured her cooking skills. Nevertheless, Scout never saw Calpurnia as a stranger although she was black. The kids (Jem and Scout) even joined Calpurnia to a black people’s church and Scout was written as to feel that she would want to visit Calpurnia’s family in the next future. Apart from that, the derogatory term “nigger” is used vehemently in the dialogue. Yes, we know that Caucasians do use this term casually when they are interacting among them – but it could be viewed as non-sensitive. But maybe Harper Lee was trying to inject that “naked truth” feel to the plot of the novel, I do not know.

Calpurnia, the black maid of The Finch. She treated the children just like her own children – being a strict motehrly figure and a disciplinarian.

The heart of this story lies on the raping accusation by a white woman, allegedly to be committed by a black man. Through this scene, readers are taken into the myriads of pride and prejudice of the apartheid sentiment – where a white man’s word will always supersede a black man’s. I love the dynamic of this confrontation but unfortunately it was merely etched as a portion of the whole plot; personally, I think it would better if the book was wholly dedicated to the case; and that would be such a thrilling plot!

A scene at the court where the white woman (Mayella Ewell) who claimed to be raped by the black man (Tom Robbinson) was cooking up stories.

As for sexism, Harper Lee illustrated the polemic through the ideas of that there were no women serving as the jury members, simply because of the sex! It got Scout to ponder for a moment and questioning that. For societal segregation, it is interesting to note that apart from apartheid, the Caucasian themselves are segregated into different clusters and strata. The Finches, who were considered as one of those old and elite families in Maycomb were generally respected by the people in the town but not for the “White Trash” families such as poor The Ewell family. It was stated by Aunt Alexandra Finch that people like them don’t mix with people like Calpurnia (black people) and also The Ewells (White Trash). From this, we could see the reality reflection of our society; the very existence of those who favour societal classes – and those who opt for egalitarian society (Atticus Finch).

 

Some of the memorable quotes from “To Kill A Mockingbird”.

For me, “To Kill A Mockingbird” was a good novel but I wouldn’t rate it as great although I admire the moral values embedded in it. One memorable statement from this novel would be “it is a sin to kill a mockingbird”, when loathing a black man was likened to a mockingbird. I just wish that the rape case was lengthened as it gave such dynamic for the plot and the characters – nevertheless, this novel was undeniably a good read, for me!

The film adaptation trailer of “To Kill A Mockingbird” in 1962.