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 Bachelors 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
English name Edward
Spoke English all day
Did not pay respect for
the dead
Lost faith in Chinese
tradition (page 36)
Read Asia Wall Street
Journal
Saw the modern Tanjong
Rhu

Mother
Calls Mr Li Ah Wah
Spoke Cantonese
Insisted on doing prayer
the right way

Saw the past Tanjong

Rhu
A young her

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
askedI 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. Lis 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