1. Yes, it is realistic
1.1. NS
1.1.1. singaporean boys have to attend NS.It shows how boys feel during NS
1.2. A'LEVELS
1.2.1. It shows how JC students feel about A'LEVELS examination.
1.3. Relationship
1.3.1. It shows how boys get into relationship and their expectation for each other. Just like for example: Chloe and May from the Heartland novel.
1.4. Family
1.4.1. Just as Wing now settles in with all the stress coming from NS, A levels and Relationship be it with his close friends or girlfriends, Darren Shiau wants to let us know that family goes a long way beside you whenever we have trouble. They will never forsake you but instead, give you comfort and warmth when you need it.
1.5. Himself
1.5.1. Similarly to other boys of his age, Wing is unsure of what he plans to do next with his life and he needs to start planning for it and searching for his true identity around life in Singapore.
1.6. Himself
1.6.1. Wing has a strong sense of belonging her in Singapore. Darren Shiau uses different places and people(characters) to show their interest and feelings about Singapore. Wing is very attached to his current belonging perhaps because he's been staying there since he was young.
1.7. Social Classes- Singapore
1.7.1. Yes, it's true. Here in Singapore, Singaporeans face social classes (conflicts) exist even though it's quite minimal. They could even go on and despise others who are underprivileged. Example: Wearing or owning branded items, being driven, where they live: HDB Flats/ Condominiums/semi-d/bungalow? And what occupation does their parents work as? Where they study? A renown/elite school or a neighbourhood one? Express or Normal stream?
2. No, it is not realistic
2.1. year
2.1.1. The book was published in the 80's and a thinking of a boy might differ from a boy who lived in 80's compared to a boy who is living in 20's century
2.1.2. In the past, there wasn't much stress such as now, eg. education and relationship with loved ones. Now, many young Singaporeans are facing educational stress to attain good results.
2.2. One-sided
2.2.1. Darren Shiau tells this novel only from the perspective of a junior-college student and not a polytechnic student. Therefore, this novel is one-sided. As it states more on what a JC student feels, but we don't really understand the other party's feelings and thoughts.
2.3. one- sided
2.3.1. It only shows how Wing who is a boy from a middle class family struggles in his life and studies might differ compared to a boy from a high or low class family as their social class matter alot in that time
2.4. one-sided(relationship)
2.4.1. Daren Shiau only tells the story from Wing's point of view, which means that through the story, all of Wing's relationships mostly are told through a guy's point of view of a relationship. As Daren Shiau is a man, it is hardly for a man to understand what a woman feels during a relationship and her role in it. Thus, the relationships that Wing has in this novel are one-sided and Daren Shiau can be considered as a partially-omniscent narrator in this aspect.
3. Key words & ideas
3.1. realistic portrayal
3.1.1. definition
3.1.1.1. realistic: given to the representation of things as they really are.
3.1.1.2. portrayal: depicting or representing
3.2. search for identity
3.2.1. definition
3.2.1.1. search: finding for someting
3.2.1.2. identity: it can be their name or something about themself
3.3. Heartland
3.3.1. definition
3.3.1.1. Heartland: 1. the central part of a country or an area 2. an area that is important for a particular activity or political party
3.4. NS
3.4.1. definition
3.4.1.1. NS- National Service is done by boys when they are 18years for 2 years and are paid a salary based on how long they've worked and what they work as. It does make a difference.
3.5. Social class
3.5.1. A broad group in society having common economic, cultural, or political status
3.6. Family
3.6.1. 1. A basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: the traditional family. 2. A social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for: a single-parent family.
3.7. Relationship
3.7.1. 1. A connection, association, or involvement. 2. Connection between persons by blood or marriage. 3. An emotional or other connection between people: the relationship between teachers and students. 4. A sexual involvement; affair.
3.8. A- levels
3.8.1. A public examination requiring advanced knowledge in a subject and taken at the end of secondary school, usually two-three years after O level.
3.9. Singaporean
3.9.1. A person who is a citizen of singapore is called a singaporean.