REFLECTION

BY: JASLI JAMIL Or Else, the Lightning God is the short story which brings the theme evolves on the clash and differences between two generations traditional and modern generations. Moreover, this short story also highlights loyalty and family obligation as compulsion in life with the in-law family. Two women with totally different perceptions of their roles and status within the family challenge the concept of the younger generation respecting its elders without the older generation showing respect for the youth. In order to interpret this story, critical lenses have been used to examine this story in widen angle of perspectives and based on our reading and observation, we have chosen cultural and social criticisms as our literature theories. Cultural Theory Lim's work deals largely with themes such as the east-west- divide, Asian culture, in particular Chinese culture, women's issues and issues concerning Singapore's culture, history and politics. Therefore, cultural theory is one of the most prominent theories in her writing and this theory seems inseparable with her as we can found it in almost all of her short story. This short story though is a perfect example when cultural theory, again becomes the conspicuous theory for her piece of work this time. Evolving around Chinese culture, there are lot of cultural aspects and elements including norms, beliefs, traditions, as well as taboos that can be examined throughout the story. The practises of these elements have become big issues as the age difference and acceptance towards the culture have become so vivid between the protagonist and the antagonist. Margarets reluctance to accept the culture can be seen when the practise of brewing Chinese herbal medicine has made a big problem to her. As modern women, they think that this is such rubbish when she can get modern treatment which for her, better. The traditional Chinese and their superstitious beliefs are connected and attached to each other when these beliefs are the main cultural element that can be premeditated in the story. The practices of these beliefs also have become matters to Margaret when she personally feels irritated with those customs.

Communication with the dead people is one of the examples of this culture extract where Margarets mother in law tried to communicate with her late husband. Many Chinese people consider that it is possible to contact the spirits of their ancestors through a medium, and that the ancestor can help their descendants if properly respected and rewarded. According to (Wortman, 2011) this ritual takes many forms, including an overwhelming sense of the loved ones presence; the visual appearance of the deceased; the physical sensation of being touched, held or kissed by the loved one; conversations with the deceased; dreams in which the mourner believes that the deceased was actually present in the dream. For Margaret and her friend, Suan Choo who internally knowing her feeling as she faces the same problem like her, this ritual makes them feel uncomfortable. They feel insecure and they even think they cause trouble to others by delving into those dark, sinister things which frightened them. In the other hand, her mother-in-law took this opportunity to communicate with her late husband. Another ritual will be the discretion of Margarets sins when she has to write words for the paper and then drink water, from of the paper which should have been burnt. As said by the shaman, that the only thing that could save Margarets sanity and the child life. The story also conveys Buddhists religions polytheism beliefs which they believe in many gods. Lightning God has been highlighted as God who seeks for filial piety in this story and for those guilty of the filial impiety will be punished by Him. For the ultimate transgression, they would be struck by the Lightning God in Heaven regarding the pieces of their previous sins. Therefore, filial piety has been abided in everyday life of the Chinese youngsters in this story. Margarets mothers advice shows the importance of respecting the older with great solicitousness and heeding the old as compulsory behaviours for them. The Chinese live with the rules and regulations in their culture. Thus, there are few vigorous prohibition of an action based on the belief that such behaviour will bring consequences or too accursed for them and those who failed to follow this will be punished by the God. Back to the story, cursing has been a taboo as they acknowledged it foreshadows something bad to Margaret who has been the subject of her mothers curse due to her action chasing her. As result, Margaret who is bearing the child has affected by the curse which leads to her pregnancy problem. Second, the also believe that badmouthing the elders will get the karma revenge due to this behaviour. This can be proved by unstoppable problem coming to Suan Choo and Margaret due to their gossip bustle.

Social Theory According to the ( ) term social criticism locates the reasons for malicious conditions of the society in flawed social structures. This theory concerns itself with the social function of texts, thus consisting of several categories, and analyse social structure, power, politics, and agency. Social criticism is similar to historical criticism in recognizing literature as a reflection of environment. This short story brings a lot of social issues especially the issue on the family bond or relationships among the family members. Too much dependency on the eldest son has become one of the big family issues where the societys perception is that it is the responsibility of the eldest son to take care of his mother. In this short story, Eng Kiat as the eldest son has to take care of his mother and support his youngest brother, Eng Chian. Nevertheless the broken relationship between Margaret and her in-law family has been made clear by the writer as she emphasizes on the reversal of role in family in law hierarchy. Margaret who should be obedient to her mother in law, has break this tradition as she does not respect her mother-in-law by calling her with names, use harsh words towards her which resulting on going arguments throughout the story. The theme of this story portrays the next social issue which is the clash between two generations perceptions to the way of life. There is a difference between young generation and older generation in context of the way they behave. In this short story, Margaret who represents young generation does not longer feel the need to respect their mother-in-law because of their solid status as the independent, working, and educated wife. This is contrast to Margarets mother who still maintains her respect for her mother-in-law even though she was cruel to her. Lastly, the inseparable womens behaviour which is gossiping depicted as the bad behaviour in a society. Gossiping which both Margaret and her mother involved has led to the detriment reputations, low self-esteem, and damaged relationships. Gossip in the workplace like what Margaret did, reduces productivity of those doing the gossiping and wastes the working time. Above of all, analysing the story using the critical lens has made us to understand the story better. Beside, Catherines writing has substitutes for an experience which we have not ourselves lived through and it throws the lights on for the reader as this story opens the door to understand Chinese culture and social life which strongly depicted in this piece of amazing work. (1236 words)

REFERENCES http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/blogs/communicating-deceased