The Singapore Necklace: A Secret Love Across Two CulturesTHE SINGAPORE NECKLACE Storyline The narrative took place in 1914 Singapore in a span of ten months. A part of the British Straits Settlements finding itself well into the age of the industrial revolution, due to the opening of the Suez Canal and thanks to the islands unique location, Singapore grew rapidly into an important thriving trading post. The city has put itselftogether into a shipshape and organized place of commerce but also a proper place of living the infrastructure kept abreast of the business development; roads were built, electricity network replaced gas lights, water was pounded and piped to industries and residences - but also telephone, telegraph and postalservices were part daily life. The love story evolved not only in a place where western quality of living were injected catering for colonial life clubs, a horse race-course, sports grounds, and department stores sprung up besides markets, cinemas, parks, schools and churches but the account occurred in an era when Victorian morality of restraint, rigid social codes of conduct and class system has been instilled. Residential areas were separated based on race, non-europeans were barred from certain places and were discouraged from travelling first class. A love between a European and one from another culture wasnt quite tolerated then, certainly so were that bond between two men. In a historic era, just two years after the sinking of the Titanic,in the period the 1st World War unleashed in Europe and the year that the famous Singapore Sling was conceived, two young men living in Singapore - a British and a Chinese - discovered feelings for one another that they couldnt comprehend themselves. As their curiosity prevailed the mutual fondness blossomed in the midst of a tropical setting letting trams,rickshaws, cars, trains and boats transport them on their fine journeys and experiences. The sombre ending of the union was all to blame on the nasty World War spreading its negativity to the colonies. But in a twist of fate and after a long wait in limbo, the two lovers were united, free at last. |
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Page 6
... arm and guided the young man back in the chair . " How did you come here , do you have your own transport ? " " Our driver dropped me here ... then drove the car to the garage .... In Orchard Road " " You can't be alone in this ...
... arm and guided the young man back in the chair . " How did you come here , do you have your own transport ? " " Our driver dropped me here ... then drove the car to the garage .... In Orchard Road " " You can't be alone in this ...
Page 7
... arms on the seat, the sealed road surface was not always smooth causing the mans head moving from side to side. Guy who noticed this moved closer to him and put his arm on the back of the seat and guided him to lean back and rest his ...
... arms on the seat, the sealed road surface was not always smooth causing the mans head moving from side to side. Guy who noticed this moved closer to him and put his arm on the back of the seat and guided him to lean back and rest his ...
Page 8
... arm . Succumbing to the situation Shan noticed a certain scent , not unpleasant , that came from the British officer . Guy who noticed the change of weight on his arm said : " I'm sorry , my name is Guy Lawson and I'm an officer at the ...
... arm . Succumbing to the situation Shan noticed a certain scent , not unpleasant , that came from the British officer . Guy who noticed the change of weight on his arm said : " I'm sorry , my name is Guy Lawson and I'm an officer at the ...
Page 29
... arm a rolled tikar , a lightweight mat made from woven palm leaves . " My mother sent him here to bring us this tiered basket with some sweet - snacks and tea . " " Oh that's very thoughtful of her Shan . " " Well I hope you don't get ...
... arm a rolled tikar , a lightweight mat made from woven palm leaves . " My mother sent him here to bring us this tiered basket with some sweet - snacks and tea . " " Oh that's very thoughtful of her Shan . " " Well I hope you don't get ...
Page 60
... cinema hall was full that evening , people sat all around the two young men but that didn't deter Guy to become bold and let his hand slide to Shan's side under the arm rests . Shan had put his left hand down his chair next 60.
... cinema hall was full that evening , people sat all around the two young men but that didn't deter Guy to become bold and let his hand slide to Shan's side under the arm rests . Shan had put his left hand down his chair next 60.
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Common terms and phrases
afternoon Alexandra barracks already arms asked bamboo bicycle Bidadari Cemetery boats British building Ceong Chinese Christmas close clothes coloured covered dinner dishes distance Dollah dressed drinks European eyes feeling felt Ford-T friends front garden Garrison German gharries girls glass Grandma grass Guy and Shan Guy sat Guy's hand head heard Hotel Indian Ipoh kampong kissed knew ladies Leong family light Linggi River maids Malay Mandy mind moved necklace night North Bridge Road officers Passir Panjang Road peranakan Pulau Brani Raffles Hotel Raggy rendang rickshaws roof Saturday seated seemed sepoys Shan and Guy Shan looked Shan's side Singapore Singapore Sling sitting slowly smiled soldiers soon sounds started stay stood Street Sungei Ujong talempong Tanglin Tanglin barracks tikars Timpang took tram trees trying turned verandah waiting walked wooden young