Genre
Fictional short stories
Setting and Context
The book is written in the context of Singaporean taboos, prejudice and tension.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Educative, humorous
Protagonist and Antagonist
Charlie Wong is the protagonist of the story.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is that the physical outlook of the Singaporean city is deceiving to foreigners. In reality, the city is surrounded by poverty and cultural suppression.
Climax
The climax is attained when the author unsets Singapore's factual findings and urges oppressed people to speak up without fear.
Foreshadowing
Lesbianism foreshadows cultural modernism and the influence of the West in Singapore.
Understatement
The dark side of Singapore is understated. Despite rampant defiance of cultural practices by the society, the city is outwardly made to look good in the eyes of tourists.
Allusions
The story alludes to the dark side of Singapore.
Imagery
The images of the corner house and Robina depict sight imagery.
Paradox
The main paradox is that young men are chasing after older women leaving their young wives at home.
Parallelism
Men's adultery parallels women's thinking of their husbands because they argue that they are bewitched.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Singapore is embodied as an immoral person.
