Fair is Fair Contextual Considerations

NOT DONE

• What contextual (social/cultural/political etc) considerations* does the section you have examined engage with and how?

*local issues / socio-political or cultural concerns

The broader thematic significance of “Fair is Fair” would fall under age and generational schisms in the context of the Singapore 2011 elections. This section challenges the reductive view of uncles as being “uneducated” or “ill-informed” of the true consequences and of politics and voting. Even within a family, the stereotyped generational differences in values and ideals are echoed by the Lee Mei’s assumption that the uncle would vote for the PAP.

The uncle also recognises these differences, in the way he remarks “I dont care if you got more money than me. I don’t care if you play violin every morning.” Ang’s recurring references to the violin represents the Western influence. The uncle represents the “pioneer generation” those who fought for Singapore’s independence, hence it would be aligned for him to be opposed to the influence of Westernisation. This conflicts with the Singaporean populations desire for the country to be more competitive, as the best way to do this is to become more westernised — a product of globalisation. 

Younger generation seen to be as more educated th

but also more materialistic “vote coz of what they want to wear”

daughter in law values education, yet let children watch TV.

daughter in law quick to assume that the uncle does not care about the future of singapore.

thinks the uncle had life easier, does not have to worry about the process of educating the children

• “It’s because of uneducated people like you that cause this kind of trouble, ” and further calling the uncle as “shortsighted” who doesn’t “think about the future… that Singapore will lose out to another country.”

“they ang mo”

within:

– Through using the voice of the uncle, Ang represents this generation as being informed enough or even wiser than the younger Singaporean population – seen through his dramatic monologue at the end where he insightfully reflects/critiques the current political system and attitudes towards voting among all Singaporeans.