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Joss and Gold by Shirley Geok-lin Lim - Coggle Diagram
Joss and Gold by Shirley Geok-lin Lim
Social Issues
a) Racial Tensions
The riots May 13 1969 also takes place in the novel. Henry's father is killed in the riots. Mr. Yeh does not manage to hide himself and is dragged into the living room and killed.
b) Forbidden Relationship among Races
Gina is a Chinese woman. She has a secret affair with an Indian man named Paroo. They are deeply in love with each other despite the differences in races. However, they are not confident to tell their family about this affair. Gina scared that her strict father will go against their relationship.
c) Perception of Western Culture in Malaysia
Li An is different than any Chinese women because of the way she talks, thinks, acts and even dresses in the same way as Western people do.
For example, she roams around on a motorbike and she even loves smoking.
Family Relationship
a) Relationship between daughter-in-law and mother in law
Even when Henry has divorced Li An, Second Mrs Yeh still treated her nicely. She even helps Li An to take care of Suyin. She thinks of Suyin as her real grandchild.
b) Relationship between grandmother and grandchild
When Suyin is ridiculed by other girls for having different facial features, her grandmother comforts her. The other girls call Suyin as "mixed-up devil". The grandmother explains that the girls are jealous because Suyin is prettier than them.
c) Relationship between husband and wife
Henry really loves Li An. He tries to make up for the time he had been neglecting her because of work by bringing Li An to Bangkok for a holiday. However, it was not a success and they even forget their anniversary.
Li An is not cooperating with Henry when he tries to fix their relationship. She does not enjoy the holiday. She even lies to Henry when he suspects that Li An is having an affair with Chester by saying that nothing happened between them.
d) Relationship between father and son
Mr. Yeh is not strict to his sons. People expected that Mr. Yeh to demand certain responsibilities to Henry as he is the eldest son but that has never been the cease.
Ah Pah is also not exactly a caring father. He never ask Henry about his future. He just let him do whatever Henry wants.
Gender Issues
a) Sexual Objectification of Women
Ellen, a Chinese woman, is well known for her glorious body. Boys at her campus drool over her and she knows it. Even her England lecturer named Mr. Pound is interested in getting laid with her.
b) Gender Pay Gaps
Ellen doesn't get the same wages as men. Her job at Weston Allen doesn't pay well for the same work she has done along with men.
c) Patriarchy
Under Henry's watch, Li An intervenes the discussion among Chester and Samad as she rebukes their opinions. Then, she voices out her opinions. Henry who is watching the whole turmoil doesn't feel happy with his wife's brazen move.
Belief System
a) Christianity
Grandma is a good Christian as she reads Bible everyday. However, she never attends any church since she says that God will always save her. That shows how much of a believer she is.
b) Islamic beliefs
Samad represent as a Muslim in this book. He reiterates the information about his religion to Chester.
For example, he explains to Chester that 'khalwat' is a forbidden thing to do especially between unmarried ones. He even broaches the subject more in depth by saying the ones who have done 'khalwat' will transcend to the hell.
Value System
a) Values the beauty of languages
Li An loves literature to the point that she wants to go to America just for venturing more literatures. She points out that literatures are very limited in Malaysia.
b) The value of loving one's profession
Henry is a young scientist. He is very devoted to his work. He is very anxious when it comes to holiday as he keeps thinking about the experiment that he had left in the lab.
For example, he thinks that holiday like Christmas holiday as an interruption in his lab work.