Heartland is a realistic portrayal of a Singaporean boy’s search for identity. Do you agree?

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Heartland is a realistic portrayal of a Singaporean boy’s search for identity. Do you agree? by Mind Map: Heartland is a realistic portrayal of a Singaporean boy’s search for identity. Do you agree?

1. No, it is not realistic

1.1. Paragraph 1

1.1.1. I do not agree that heartland is a realistic portrayal of a Singaporean boy's search for identity. Firstly, Wing does not even know his family and dialect group well, also the story is written from Shiau's point of view and lastly, Wing leads a confusing life and does not know what he wants in life.

1.2. Paragraph 2

1.2.1. It is shown that Wing does not know his family and dialect group well enough and that is one factor that hinders him from finding out who is his real father is. He is unable to communicate well with fifth uncle and can only recognise the name in Khek because his mother has told him to refer to him in that way. Wing is unlike the other characters who know their background due to having a complete family. This has led to Wing being confused about his family origins and not knowing about his family history or father well enough

1.3. Paragraph 3

1.3.1. It is not realistic as it is written from Daren Shiau's point of view. This story is written from a third-person perspective and the author is omniscient. Readers are able to understand the plot of the story from many view points but are unable to focus much on the main character. Chloe, Audrey, Sham, Eugene, Joshua, and Wing all have their own feelings recorded in the book. Not everybody thinks and feels the same way as Shiau as everybody is entitled to each of their own feelings and thoughts.

1.4. Paragraph 4

1.4.1. Wing's life is confusing as he does not know his own background and does not know what he wants to do in the future while Sham, Joshua, Martin have a plan for their life what course they want to take, where they want to go. When asked "about his future", Wing gave a blank stare and "thought hard" but came up to "no conclusion". He was uncertain about his future and what life had in store for him which was very worrying. Everyone around him has plans for their future except him, and he does not really seem to be bothered by it. He passes "day by day" in a whirl hence it can be concluded that heartland is not very realistic in portraying Wing's search for identity.

1.5. People of different races in Singapore do not neccessarily go through the same thing.

1.5.1. For example, Sham and Wing are both Singaporeans. However, they do not go through the same cultural practices and beliefs.

2. Conclusion

2.1. Summary of all points

2.1.1. Agree

2.1.1.1. Readers are able to relate well to Wing (the main character)

2.1.1.2. The story talks about Wing's life throughout the whole story

2.1.1.3. The story takes place right in the heartland of Singapore - Ghim Moh.

2.1.2. Disagree

2.1.2.1. No knowledge of family background or dialect group

2.1.2.2. Written from Shiau's perpective

2.1.2.2.1. Readers are able to understand the plot in many different kind of views as the story is written in a 3rd person perspective and the author is omniscient. However, the readers are unable to focus much on the perspective of the characters.

2.1.2.3. Confusing life which leads to annoyed readers

2.2. Re-established stand

3. definition

3.1. realistic: given to the representation of things as they really are.

3.2. portrayal: depicting or representing

4. Yes, it is realistic

4.1. Not all people grow up in a complete family. Some do not know their ancestors and thus search like Wing for his identity in his family and Singapore. He also searches for his identity in what he wants his future to be.

4.2. Yes I agree that heartland is a realistic portrayal of a Singaporean boy's search for identity. The word realistic suggests that it is a subjective kind of opinion as not everyone may agree to it. "realistic portrayal" means the representation of things as they really are and its portrayed as it is in the truth. Here are three reasons why I agree with the question.

4.2.1. Readers are able to relate well to Wing (the main character)

4.2.1.1. First reason why I agree with the question. Readers are able to relate well to Wing (the main character) as he is a Singaporean with a typical lifestyle. "He woke up to the noisy chatter of the hawkers, busy selling their food to eager customers" Also, readers can empathize with him and understand what he is going through.

4.2.2. The story talks about Wing's life throughout the whole story

4.2.2.1. The story talks about Wing's life through school, army, and post-army life which takes him on a roller coaster ride throughout the years and his struggle to search for life's true meaning and what it has in store for him.

4.2.3. The story takes place right in the heartland of Singapore - Ghim Moh.

4.2.3.1. The story takes place right in the heartland of Singapore - Ghim Moh. Readers will be able to experience a sense of familiarity and a sense of belonging. It is very realistic and is described vividly hence the accurate portrayal of Wing's life. Readers will feel close to the story and are able to picture the realistic lifestyle of Wing in the search for his true identity.

4.3. Conclusion: Objection is invalid because there are more reasons to prove of Wing's uncertainty about life and the many doubts present in his life which prevent the readers from actually empathizing with him and they are instead annoyed at his laid-back and "taking things one at a time" attitude. He has no goals, ambitions or dreams which is why he has become such a failure at times.

5. Key words & ideas

5.1. realistic portrayal

5.2. search for identity

5.3. Singaporean

5.3.1. National Service

5.3.1.1. A compulsory service that all men aged 18 have to attend.

5.3.1.1.1. To protect Singapore from external threats.