1. No, it is not realistic
1.1. writtten in 1990s
1.1.1. Dreams
1.1.1.1. boys in 2000s
1.1.1.1.1. dreams are bigger
1.1.1.2. boys in 1990s
1.1.1.2.1. hope for a smaller identity
1.1.1.2.2. want to be able to support family
1.2. landmark passages of life in most Singaporean boys' life
1.2.1. Character
1.2.1.1. Not boys of Wing's age may have the same introverted charcter that wing has
1.2.1.2. Nostalgic
1.2.1.2.1. Wing remembers unimportant stuff like the surroundings
1.2.1.3. He does not know what he wants. He doesn't have a goal in life.
1.2.1.3.1. boys now wants establish a career, be a CEO of their own company
1.2.2. Family
1.2.2.1. Wing comes from a single parent and traditional family
1.2.2.1.1. Now most parents are modernized, they know how to use computers which most parents(Madam Lee) don't in the past
1.2.3. Perspective
1.2.3.1. the book heartland is written in the 3rd perspective and it is ominiscent
1.2.3.1.1. we are only able to know how does Wing feels, thinks etc. other characters feeling, thoughts are neglected.
1.2.4. Studies
1.2.4.1. Does not mean the whole of singapore goes to Junior College, some goes to polytechnic or start working already
1.2.4.2. He wants to study as much as he wants.
1.3. Everyone is different
1.3.1. People have different characteristics, they have their own individual thinking as compared to Wing. Their living styles might be different from a typical Singaporean.
2. Yes, it is realistic
2.1. it represents what many singaporean goes through as a boy
2.1.1. landmark passages of life in most Singaporean boys' life
2.1.1.1. A'level examination
2.1.1.1.1. Students who study in Junior College in singapore has to take this exam
2.1.1.1.2. when the boys got back their examination, some were upset(wing), some were happy(sham) with it
2.1.1.2. National Service
2.1.1.2.1. Meets Strict Sergeants and soldiers who comes from different backgrounds, struggles to know where they fit in.
2.1.1.2.2. Boys who reached the age of 18, have to attend NS in Singapore
2.1.1.3. Dating
2.1.1.3.1. Materialistic
2.1.1.4. Void Deck
2.1.1.4.1. this is only found in Singapore's HDB flats
2.1.1.4.2. Wing and Sham goes to this place to talk about their own personal matters
2.1.1.5. Heartland
2.1.1.5.1. the story takes place in Ghim Moh, singapore's heartland
2.2. This makes Wing struggles to decide where he belong to.
3. Key Words and ideas
3.1. realistic protrayal
3.1.1. definition
3.1.1.1. realistic: accurate 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:to look into, question, or scrutinize
3.2.1.2. identity: The distinct personality of an individual