Page 16 - Visionary Arts 2019
P. 16
“ Singapore’s Multicultural Dream through
Catherine Lim's “Paper” and Visionary Arts 2019 ”
Mr. Chaleamchai Pongjia
Introduction
On 9th January, 2020, I have been abroad for the first time
in my life thanks to the Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University, who
gave me and other 60 fellow students the opportunity to broaden our
experience. The destination of this educational trip was Singapore
Thailand’s neighbouring city-state with the highest per capita GDP in
ASEAN (63,987 USD in 2019). Despite its long diplomatic relations
with Thailand (dated back to 1965) and its ever-growing economy, I
must admit that my curiosity with this small, but smart ASEAN nation
was not aroused until I had been a second-year student in this faculty.
Through the Introduction to Fiction Reading course, I was introduced
to “Paper” (1978), a short story by a Singaporean writer, Catherine
Lim. She is one of the most forefront writers of Singapore who has
been lauded, and criticised alike, for her sharp, ironic social
commentary on Chinese culture, middle-class lifestyle, and the policies
of the dominating political party, People’s Action Party or PAP. This
story, hence, sparked my enthusiasm with this small island nation.
Therefore, it is a great opportunity to infuse my first-hand experience
on the trip into critical analysis of the story.
In “Paper,” Lim explores the themes of cupidity, materialism,
Chinese traditions, and generational conflicts. The characters are
clearly divided into two sides: the younger generation and the older
generation.
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