How is motherhood presented in any two or three stories in the collection?
Story: The Matyrdom of Helena RodriguesThis story is about Helena Rodrigues, who was Aloysious 's wife and George's mother. She was a mistress in the use of Christian martyrdom on the domestic front. Helena does not tell anyone when she works her fingers to the bones instead she makes a person feel guilty, then being able to have control over that person. Actually she had the gentle face of a nun but a force personality of an Empress Tzu Hsi. Later Aloysious died and Helena swore to take care of little George. George grew up in between milestones of sacrifice and unselfishness. Her tactics enabled her to tyrannize most people-with normal sensitive consciences.
She had made her son become very sensitive to a mother's feelings. Therefore enabling Helena to dictate Geoge's every move though on the outside she never complains and thinks for the 'welfare' of George. Later George, loved a girl, Caroline Adams she was the only one who could salvage George from falling into Helena's grasp. Sensing her power weaking, Helena used illness to make George guilty.
They later decided to get married but didn't go through with it. In my opinion, Helena enjoys being able to have control over people, she is selfish that she does not want George to leave her side, to always take care of her and care for her feelings. "Georgie is such a good boy," murmured Helena, turning large grateful eyes on him."Without him beside me I would feel melancholic and depressed: but he takes away all my pain and me happy. He has always been such a good devoted son to his old mother, I am so fortunate in my Georgie." These gentle words fell like acid on the raw quivering thing which Georgie's conscience had become. He has become too self-conscious thus obeying every whim of Helena.
Story: Tanjong Rhu
In this story, Mr Lee is fillial towards is mother, Ah ma. Though he works in an office above Shenton Way, he has a window view to his surroundings. His mother also recently deceased, he was not emotionally disturbed but had some quiet time instead. Mr Lee bought binoculars for his mother's cataracts as he was boyishly impatient to let her. In a feeble attempt to convince himself that the operation could be forestalled. This part shows Mr Lee's love and devotion towards his mother, he tried to bluff himself that his mother was still ok and the operation would not be needed.
Mr Lee was rich but couldn't over the feeling that there was too many empty rooms in his house. Later he tries to present the binoculars to Ah-Ma but feels tongue tied, even shy. But Ah-Ma kindly rejects his offer, reasons being "things you can buy, I do not need". He tries to protest and reasons to her, wouldn't she want to have better eyesight. But Ah-Ma is stubborn and also does not want to go through with the operation. Ah-Ma only accepts his binoculars as they can see Tanjong Rhu which reminds her of her deceased husband, she may be thinking she is going to join him soon and would like to see the shipyard one last time. She goes on to saying about her past memories she spent with Mr.Lee (Ah-Wah), at the shipyard. Later she go to Mr Lee's office and tries to see the cargo ships but cannot see anything when Mr Lee desperately points out that it is in front of her.
I think at this part Mr Lee is desperately trying to point out what he sees, through his eyes. And the difference that Ah-Ma sees instead, she sees the past, " A skinny little boy," "in a dirty shirt and torn khaki shorts. Barefoot, too, on the beach, walking by himself. Skipping pebbles on the waves, mumbling to himself, counting the fishing boats anchored near the Tanjong Rhu shipyard." Mr Lee is influenced by his mother, thinking about the past too.
posted by Invisible @ 7:44 PM
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