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 5
... stay in the dentist's chair for a while to rest while the nurse was clearing and tidying up the dentist's room. Dr. Naughton himself had to leave for an appointment elsewhere on the island and he thought to let his last patient of the ...
... stay in the dentist's chair for a while to rest while the nurse was clearing and tidying up the dentist's room. Dr. Naughton himself had to leave for an appointment elsewhere on the island and he thought to let his last patient of the ...
Page 6
... stay alone here ..you may need help to get back where you come from ”. ” Thank you .but I'll be fine soon .it's just the dizziness ” the young Chinese man replied politely and he tried to stand up but was unsteady and almost fell, Guy ...
... stay alone here ..you may need help to get back where you come from ”. ” Thank you .but I'll be fine soon .it's just the dizziness ” the young Chinese man replied politely and he tried to stand up but was unsteady and almost fell, Guy ...
Page 7
... stay ” ”assir anjang.” the youth said softly. In the gharry the young man tried to keep himself seated upright by pushing himself up by his arms on the seat, the sealed road surface was not always smooth causing the man's head moving ...
... stay ” ”assir anjang.” the youth said softly. In the gharry the young man tried to keep himself seated upright by pushing himself up by his arms on the seat, the sealed road surface was not always smooth causing the man's head moving ...
Page 11
... thank you." she said softly with short bowing gestures. ”Can I offer you a drink It's a hot day you must be thirsty. Can you stay for a while I'm sorry I just assume you are off duty." ”Thank you ma'am, I'd like to, water will do fine." 11.
... thank you." she said softly with short bowing gestures. ”Can I offer you a drink It's a hot day you must be thirsty. Can you stay for a while I'm sorry I just assume you are off duty." ”Thank you ma'am, I'd like to, water will do fine." 11.
Page 13
... stay at the barracks at Tanglin." Guy laughed and made Shan smile. ”ou must miss your family in ngland, Guy how long are you already here in Singapore' Mrs. ong asked. ”I'm almost two years in Singapore now and I miss 13.
... stay at the barracks at Tanglin." Guy laughed and made Shan smile. ”ou must miss your family in ngland, Guy how long are you already here in Singapore' Mrs. ong asked. ”I'm almost two years in Singapore now and I miss 13.
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Common terms and phrases
afternoon Alexandra barracks already angsana arms asked bamboo bicycle Bidadari Cemetery boats British building busy Chinese Christmas close clothes coloured covered dinner dishes distance Dollah dressed drinks EUrong eyes feeling felt front garden Garrison German gharries girls glass Grandma grass Guy and Shan Guy sat Guy's hand head heard Hotel Indian kampong kissed knew kuih ladies maids Malay Mandy mind moved ndon necklace Negeri Sembilan nggi River ngland night North Bridge Road officers ong family Orchard Road ord-T peranakan Raggy rain rickshaws roof Saturday seated seemed sepoys Shan and Guy Shan looked Shan's Shan’s side Singapore Singapore Sling sitting slowly smiled soldiers soon sounds started stay stood Street Sungei Ujong talempong Tanglin Tanglin barracks thank tikars Timpang took tram trees trying turned urope uropean verandah waiting walked wooden young