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- THEME
- CHARACTER
- MORAL VALUE / LESSON / MESSAGE
- PLOT
1
The Curse
by Lee Su Ann
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THEME
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step
- Ann Fine Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.
Using the details in the novel you have studied, discuss one of the themes in the
story.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. One of the themes in the
story is love. This theme is portrayed by the different characters in the story in
different ways.
Mohd Asraf and Madhuri are two people who are in love. However, they are
unable to build a life together as it is a forbidden love. Mohd Asraf has been
attracted to Madhuri since the first time he meets her outside her house. Since that
day, he has been secretly in love with Madhuri. Unfortunately, Haji Ghani, the
village headmaster, falls in love with Madhuri and asks for her hand in marriage.
Madhuris father agrees to the union as Haji Ghani is wealthy and respected in the
village. Despite the marriage, Madhuri and Asraf continue to meet in secret. One
day, Asraf finds an opportunity to be together with Madhuri when he is offered ateaching course in Kuala Lumpur. Madhuri feels that it is a time for her to tell her
parents and her husband that she is in love with Asraf. She is convinced that her
husband will release her. Unfortunately, before she could do so, she is murdered
accidently by her father.
Azreens foster parents, Datin Sharifah and Datuk Zulkifli also illustrate the
theme of love which is a parental love in this novel. Although Azreen has only
stayed with them fora two-month foster programme, they love and care for Azreen
like their own child. They are even willing to finance Azreens education in Londonas they know she is a smart student. When she arrives home from London after her
sisters death, they are they to support her emotionally. In fact, it can be said that
Azreen feels more comfortable with them than with her own family.
Another character in the novel which shows the theme of love is Haji Ghani,
the village headman. Although he already has a wife, he is attracted to the young
Madhuriwhen he sees her at one of the kenduris in the village. Madhuri is invited
to present a syair. Her voice is undeniably the best and it catches the attention of
the headman. Soon after, he marries her even though Madhuri is secretly in lovewith Mohd Asraf. Although it is an unrequited love, his love can be clearly seen
when he mourns for his young wife after her death.
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In conclusion, the message of love is reiterated throughout this story. This
gives us an idea that as human we cannot live without love. However, we must
be wise in searching for a true love to make sure that no one will get hurt.
or
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. One of the themes in the
story is family relationships. This theme is portrayed by the different characters in
the story in different ways.
Azreen and her familyhave an estranged relationship especially between
her and her father, Saleh. Her father cannot understand her forthright ways. Azreen
and her sister, Madhuri have a loving relationship although they are different in
nature. Azreen is an outspoken and independent girl, yet Madhuri is conservative
compared to her sister. Azreens mother loves both siblings but there is a
tendency to favour Madhuri as she is a polite and caring daughter. Therefore, their
relationship is a mixture of love, care, anger and disappointment.
The family relationship in Siti and Puan Kamsiahs family, on the other
hand is stable and strong. Puan Kamsiah is not given to gossiping and so is Siti.
She is obedient and is willing to help her mother. She helps in looking after her
young brother at the expense of her studies. Plus, when her mother forbids her
from helping the Old Lady with Mohd Asrafs grandmother, she does as told. Forthat reason, the relationship between mother and daughter is stress free and solid.
Mohd Asraf and his grandmother also have a loving and caring
relationship. Mohd Asraf is a caring grandson who is really concerned about his
grandmothers deteriorating health. He feels responsible to look after his
grandmother as she is the one who looked after him all this while. Therefore, when
his grandmother gets sick, he is the one who goes to the market to look for medical
plants for her.
In conclusion, the theme of family relationship runs throughout the story. We
must love and care for our family members. We need to sacrifice for our family
especially in times of need. Sometimes, we might fight or argue with our family
members, but we cannot trade them with anything.
or
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I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. One of the themes in the
story is the importance of having strength of character to endure the trials of
life. This theme is portrayed vividly through the main character, Azreen.
Azreen is a strong individual who always speaks her mind. She is
outspoken and frank. She does not worry what others think of her. Parents in hervillage tell their daughters not the befriend her. This is because, in their eyes she is
a trouble maker and is a tomboy who plays games with the boys.
Azreen also shows great strength of character in her actions as she stands
up for what she believes in. She will hit out at anyone whom she finds unfair and
unkind. She will not tolerate anyone speaking bad of the people she loves. She
slaps the girl who makes fun of the way her mother walks. She throws stones at the
children who speak ill of the Old Lady.
She chooses to be friends with the Old Lady whom the villagers hate and
fear. That is a courageous act as other villagers just choose to ostracise the Old
Lady. She will not be feminine if it means she has to obey a man without
question. She is in contrast with her sister Madhuri who is flawed and her weakness
finally brings about her death.
In conclusion, we must have a strong characteristic. This is because,
people with a strength of character will face their problems and learn to overcome
them. Weak people often fail to do so.
or
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. One of the themes in the
story is courage in facing challenges in life. This theme is portrayed by the Old
Lady. She is outcast by the villagers. She is forced to live in isolation in the jungle.
The Old Lady had married a young man from the island. They had lived in
the centre of the village. She was a beautiful, modern and educated young maiden
who slowly adapted a became very involved in the villages activities. She was
known for her special cures for flu or fever.
However, her married life was unhappy. She was abused by her husband.
One day, when she could not tolerate it, she stabbed him with a kitchen knife. The
police let her go as the crime happened in self-defence. However, the villagers
turned on her and considered her a crazy woman who had murdered her husbandin cool blood.
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The Old Lady showscourage in facing this challengeof being considered
an outcast. She learns to accept her status even when the villagers consider her a
witch. They accuse her of casting spells and bring calamities to the village. When
she goes into the village to help look after Mohd Asrafs grandmother, the villagers
spit on her and curse her. She takes it all in her stride and even advises Azreen to
forgive them.
In conclusion, we must have courage to face any challenges in life. Plus,
we also need courage for being able to forgive those who have wronged to us and
hold no ill will against them.
(this answer scheme can also be used to answer a question on the courageous or
brave character)
CHARACTER
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step
- Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.
Using the details in the novel you have studied, write about a character that you
find most interesting / a character a character that you like the most.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. The most interesting
characterin the story is the Old Ladywho lives in the forest away from the village.
She is an educated woman as she has knowledge of herbal medicine to treat
illness. However, the villagers think of her as an evil witch.
The Old Lady is a kind and compassionate woman. She shows concern as
she takes Azreen in and gives her food and shelter whenever she has fights and
problems with her family. She also tries her best to treat Mohd Asrafs ailing
grandmother, Nek even though the villagers have shunned her. She is willing to riskfacing the wrath of the villagers when she ventures into the village to offer
prepared traditional medicine for Nek. Unfortunately, Nek dies. Mohd Asraf and a
few men hounds the Old Lady. As a result, the Old Ladys house is being burnt and
she dies.
The Old Lady is wise and forgiving. She is not vengeful. She bears no
grudge against the villagers for ostracizing her after her husband was killed. She
kills her husband in self-defense after suffering much abuse in his hands. The
police let her go but the villagers avoid her. Before the incident, she had beenaccepted by the villagers and was very involved in their activities. She had helped
many of the mothers with the childrens illness. Yet, after that incident, she is
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regarded as a husband-killer and an outcast. However, she does not blame them
for their misgivings
Plus, I like the way she advises Azreen. She empathizes with Azreen who
seems to be neglected by her parents and rejected and distanced by the villagers.
She also teaches Azreen the importance of forgiveness. As she puts it, nothing ismore liberating than receiving forgiving than to give it. With forgiveness, one is free
and can move on. She also asks Azreen to tell the truth about the incident of the
bull and the motocycle, so that her parents will understand that she is not
responsible for her mothers accident.
In my opinion, the Old Lady is an interesting character due to her
philosophies of life and her advice to Azreen. Her character teaches me that we
must always forgive those who have wronged us and hold no ill will against
them.
or
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. The character that I like the
most in the story is Azreen, the heroine. She is quite unremarkable in her looks but
shows an admirable strength of character that takes her through several trials and
triulations. She is a strong-headed girl who always speaks her mind and is often
seen as rude, hateful and ungrateful by others in the village.
Azreen is caring and loving in her way. She loves her wheelchair-bound
mother who is sometimes forgetful and senile. She takes her to the graveyard to
see her sisters grave. She patiently tries her best to cook a chicken porridge like
how her sister did for her mother. She loves the Old Lady so much and goes to see
her although others are angry that she spends so much time with her.
She is loyal and protective of those she loves. She slaps the girl who
mimics her mothers way of walking with crutches. She fights anyone who makesfun of the Old Lady and she is happy to be with her. She also protects Mohd Asraf
by saying that she left the farm gates open and takes the blame for the nasty
accident that robs her mother of her leg. She cares little about herself but is totally
loyal to her friends.
She is rough in her ways. She behaves in a tomboyish way. She play games
and wishes to be treated as equal to the boys. She does not try to act feminine to
gain attention. She is outspoken and frank. She likes Mohd Asraf but he sees her
as a good friend and falls in love with her sister, Madhuri. She is hurt by this butkeeps her pain to herself.
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I like Azreen as her character teaches me that we must be strong and
courageous in facing any challenges in life. In this story, she loses her sister,
both parents and the Old Lady whom she loves.
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in EnglishLanguage.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.
Using the details in the novel you have studied, write about a character that you
dislike the most.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. The character that I dislike
the most in the story is Puan Normala. She is a village gossiper / rumour
mongerwho will spread vicious stories about people.
Puan Normala has no conscience and does not think deeply about
anything. She is so taken up with the spicy story that she cares little for truth or the
effects of her rumours on the people. She and her daughter have no idea of the
harm they cause due to the rumours and gossip. Her daughter repeats the stories
in school. The neighbours too spread the stories. She is also aggressive and hasa streak of violence. She leads the mob to Mohd Asrafs house, holding a sickle in
her hand. She might have actually been tempted to use it but she retreats when
Encik Saleh appears.
Besides, she is superstitiousas she believes that Madhuri had white blood
on her. She worries that the island might be cursed for years because of the
murder. She also blames the Old Ladys visit to Mohd Asrafs house as the reason
for the continuous rain. She also coaxes Mohd Asraf to confront the Old Lady,
accusing her as the reason why his grandmothers health deteriorates and shefinally dies.
She likes to gossip about the private affairs of other villagers with ease.
They are just stories for her to add and embellish with her own details. She is the
one who reports that Haji Ghani has had an argument with his first wife Fatihah.
The argument was about Fatihah stealing Madhuris belongings.
In conclusion, we must not gossip and spread stories as it brings no good but
harm to others.
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The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.Using the details in the novel you have studied, discuss about a relationship
between two people that you think interesting.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. A interesting relationship in
the story is between Azreen and her father, Encik Saleh. She has a difficult
relationshipwith her father as both are hot-tempered and stubborn.
Azreen is not the docile daughter that Encik Saleh would have liked to
have. Madhuri fits the image of a well-behaved, gentle daughter while Azreen is
tomboyish, outspoken and quick to act. She has definite views about things and
people. She plays games with boys. She will strike anyone if she thinks that they
are unfair. She befriends the Old Lady even though the whole village ostracizes her
and thinks that she is a witch.
Encik Saleh seems equally quick to judge as he canes Azreen when she
is actually not to be blamed. She resents the unjust punishments but will not ask for
forgiveness. Azreen wants to be loved by her father but there are too many
hurdles that prevent her from reaching out to him. One of them is her closerelationship with her foster parents whom she met on a student exchange
programme. Encik Salleh is not happy about her relationship with Datin Sharifah
and Datuk Zulkifli. For that reason, she goes to England to pursue her studies,
escaping from her fathers coldness for a while.
When Azreen returns from England, she finds that Madhuri has been
already buried. This causes more resentment against her father. However, Encik
Saleh saves Azreen from two fires. He does his fatherly duty to her but the warmth
of a father-daughter relationship is missing. Therefore, when he tells the truth aboutMadhuris death to her, it is hard for her to accept the turn of events. She takes
times to understand and learns to forgive her father.
In conclusion, the relationship between Azreen and her father is interesting
due to their alike characteristics. As both of them are hot-tempered and stubborn
they face difficulty to show their love towards each other. In order to maintain the
peace and love in family, we must always appreciate our family members.
Sometimes, it is good to show our love and care.
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The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.Using the details in the novel you have studied, discribe about a character that
you sympathise with. Give reasons why you feel sympathy for the character.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. I symphatise with Azreen.
This is because, she wants to be loved but she fails to find satisfaction in this
aspect.
In her own home, she is treated badly by her harsh fatherwho even caned
her for no fault of hers. She resents the unjust punishments but will not ask for
forgiveness. Besides, she is always compared with her sisterMadhuri and falls
short even there. She is bespectacled, bookish and tomboyish. She acts quickly
and is outspoken while Madhuri is is gentle, graceful, soft-spoken and well-liked by
all.
Azreen likes Mohd Asraf and secretly nurses a hope that he will return her
love. However, he only has to see Madhuri and he falls in love with her. They both
plan to elope even though Madhuri is married to Haji Ghani, the village headman. I
feel sorry for Azreen who is hurt badly when she sees that Mohd Asraf haseyes only for Madhuri.
Azreen loves the Old Lady so much and goes to see her although others are
angry that she spends so much time with her. She stubbornly sticks to her guns and
stands by her even when the people come angrily to attack the Old Lady. The
death of the Old Ladyis also devastating to her. Then, she also loses both her
parents one after the other. That is a terrible blow to her. It all happens so soon
after the murder of Madhuri. I looks like she will lose all those whom she loves.
She feels lonely due to her many losses.
In conclusion, I feel sorry for Azreen because in a very young age she has to
face a lot of challenges and losses in her life. However, she seems to be so strong
as she learns to rationalize matters and grow in the process. She learns to forgive
the people and forget all the terrible things that have happened. She inspires me
that as human we must not easily give up with our life.
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The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.Using the details in the novel you have studied, choose a problem faced by a
character in the novel and write about how it is dealt with by the character. Do
you think it was the right decision?
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. Azreen faces a major
problem of finding out the truth about Madhuris death.
A lot of mysterious things happen in the village and none seems to have a
rational answer. Azreen goes looking for the truth. She asks people but does not
get the answers easily. She is also disturbed to see a blurry shape of woman
with long hair drifting around the village. It is from the bomoh, Awang that she
finds out that Madhuri is not her real sister. She also finds out that it is Madhuris
real mother who is the mysterious figure seen in the village.
Azreen hears a lot of rumours when she arrives home. One of them is he
villagers are saying that Madhuri was murdered and there was white blood on
her. When Azreen confronts her father about what she knows, he tells her that
he accidently murdered Madhuri with his parang. Madhuri had fallen, knocking overthe latex cup and spilling the latex all over her. Thus, it appeared like white blood.
Azreens decisions to see Awang, the bomoh, and her father make her get
the truth of the mysterious things. However, she also feels a sense of lost. This is
because, at the end of the story, we finds that she has lost everyone she loves. She
has lost her parents, her sister, Madhuri, her loved one, Mohd Asraf and the Old
Lady who gives her companionship.
In conclusion, we must face our problem with courage and accept theconsequences of our actions. Like Azreen, finding the truth has been painful for
her but it is necessary as it helps her to understand the reasons behind the
mysterious happenings in her village. She must make peace with herself so that
she can find happiness in her own life one day.
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The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.Using the details in the novel you have studied, describe about a character that
shows strong determination.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curseby Lee Su Ann. A character who shows strong
determination is Azreen. She is an unusually strong-willed and hot-tempered young
girl who speaks her mind. She is quick to react to situations and acts immediately
against injustice.
Azreen is determined to find out what happened to Madhuri. She is
puzzled about her sisters death and asks the people around her. She comes to
know that her sister was in fact murdered. Thus, begins her tireless efforts to
uncover the truth. She immediately enquires about the details of the murder.
Although she is not able to know much about her sisters death at first, she does
not give up hope. She continues to try and find the answer from Mohd Asraf, the
Old Lady as well as her own father. At the end of the story, she manages to find out
what actually happened.
She acts spontaneously and this does not go well with the villagers.However, she is determined to be herself always. She loves the unusual Old Lady
very much and goes to see her although others feel angry that she does so. She
pays little heed to the others and neither does she worry about their opinions about
her. She slaps the girl who mimics her mothers way of walking with crutches. She
fights the people who make remarks against the Old Lady and spends hours with
her despite comments from villagers.
She shows a lot of determination in her relationship with Mohd Asraf. She
protects him by saying that she left the gates open and takes the blame for thenasty accident that robs her mother of her leg. She never tells him about her
feelings for him. She is hurt badly when she sees that Mohd Asraf has eyes only for
her sister, Madhuri but she keep it by herself.
In conclusion, we must be determined to remain true to ourselvesjust like
Azreen. She always stands up for those who have been wronged as she believes in
justice and fairness. She also not easily gives up and is willing to do anything just to
know the truth behind her sisters death.
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The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.Using the details in the novel you have studied, which character changes for a
better as the story develops?Give reasons for your answer.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curseby Lee Su Ann. A character that changes for a
better as the story develop is Azreen. She is seen as outspoken and sharp-
tongued at the beginning. She is intolerant of mistakes and weaknesses. She
acts impulsively and appears aggressiveinitially.
Azreen has a lot of suppressed jealousy and anger. She is jealous of her
sister, Madhuri as Madhuri is pretty, elegant and well-liked by the family and the
village people. The villagers speak well of Madhuri when they compare her with
Azreen. Even her father seems to favour Madhuri. Azreen like Mohd Asraf and she
is hit badly when he admires and prefers Madhuri. she nurses her pain and anger
quitely and does not talk about it to anyone.
Within her own family, Azreen had to deal with her abusive father. She had
been caned unjustly by him. Later, she learns from her father how Madhuri was
killed. These bitter experience teach her about the unpleasant aspects of life andmake her grow and change. Her tomboyish ways dim and a new maturity
comesto her.
When the Old Lady dies, Azreen feels great loneliness. She seeks shelter in
nature. She learns to come to terms with life and learns to forgive everyone
who had hurt her before. Azreen leaves the island for a new life in England. She
has become wiser and calmer. She changes for a better.
MORAL VALUE / LESSON / MESSAGE
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.
Using the details in the novel you have studied, write about a moral value youhave learnt from the story.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
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I choose the novel, The Curseby Lee Su Ann. An important moral value that
I have learned is that everyone need to be loved. There is a deep vacuum in a
persons life when love is absent.
Azreen wants to be loved by her parents. Her father is too harsh and
caned her without justification. Her mother is old and demented. She rambles anddoes not know much of what is happening around her. When Encik Saleh shows
more love for Madhuri than for her, Azreen feels hurt and bitter. She becomes
jealous of Madhuri, especially when people compare them both.
Azreen loves Mohd Asraf but it is unrequited. What hurts Azreen more is
when Mohd Asraf falls in love with her sister, Madhuri. He plans to elope with her
as he is offered a teaching course in Kuala Lumpur.
Azreen likes the Old Lady but the Old Lady faces much resentment from
the villagers who are sure that she is a witch. Azreen finds out that she killed her
husband because he had been an abusive husband. The Old Lady wants to be
loved too but she faces abuse and hatred by the villagers. Therefore, she has no
choice but to spend her life alone in the jungle.
Madhuri also wants to be loved but she is disappointed in her marriage
with Haji Ghani. His first wife, Fatihah hates her and would be happy to see her
dead. Haji Ghani also would prefer her to be dead than married to another man.
Madhuri never has a chance to be happy with Mohd Asraf. It is doomed right from
the start.
In conclusion, everyone need to be loved. However, sometimes we must
find ways to gain love from others. We must not easily give up and just
accept our loneliness as a faith. Azreen makes peace with herself in the end and
goes back to England. There is a vague chance that she may find happiness with
Julian who has waiting for her. The need for love and the sense of security is what
she yearns for.
or
I choose the novel, The Curseby Lee Su Ann. An important moral value that
I have learned is that we should not listen to gossip and rumours. Village life is
rife with rumours and the people are carried away listening to unverified stories and
adding spicy details.
Azreen, on her return to the village finds people talking about Madhuris
untimely death. People believe that Madhuri was murdered and that there waswhite blood on her. The village is said to be cursed. Azreen searches for the
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truth and ask her childhood friend, Mohd Asraf if he knows anything about
Madhuris death. She learns that Mohd Asraf and Madhuri were secret lovers.
Azreen learns from her father that Madhuri and her are not real sisters. She
finds out the truth about Madhuris mother and knows that she is the ghostly figure
seen disappearing mysteriously. When she finds out how Madhuri died in thehands of her father, some of the unsolved questions are answered. The strange
white blood that was seen was only latex from a latex cup that had acciently stained
her dress.
The Old Lady was an outcast because rumours that she was a witchand
had murdered her husband. They accuse her of casting spells and bring calamities
to the village. The truth is, she had killed her husband in self-defence only. This is
because, her husband was a wicked man and kept abusing her. Even the police let
her go, but not the villagers. As a result, she has to live alone in the jungle.
In conclusion, rumours cast an ugly shadow on everyones life and give rise
to suspicions and evil thoughts. The message to the reader is to be sharp and
discerning about what is true and what is not. We must not be taken in easily by
rumours.
PLOT
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in EnglishLanguage.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.
Using the details in the novel you have studied, state whether you like or dislike
the ending of the story.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curseby Lee Su Ann. I like the ending. It has a
sense of completion to it and gives a sense of satisfaction to the reader that
everything has been explained neatly.
The whole village is filled withrumourswhen Azreen comes back home for
her sisters funeral. She is puzzled that people are saying that Madhuri was
murdered and that she had white blood on her when she died. The villagers
believe that the island is cursed.
There is a mysterious figure of woman being seen in the village. Some
things go missing and there is an atmosphere of mystery and fear. Unexplained
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things hang in the air. When Azreen confronts Mohd Asraf, she find outs that he
and Madhuri were secret lovers and they planned to run away. Her father
explains to her how the death of Madhuri took place. He killed her in anger when
her saw her with another man.
Madhuri must have struck her head against the latex cup which caused thelatex to spill on her. That explained the white blood on her. The mysterious
woman is Madhuris real mother who is angry that her daughter has been killed.
Seeing her as she comes to confront him causes Encik Saleh to have heart attack
and finally dies.
Azreen loses all the people whom she loved. She wanted so badly to be
loved but has to accept the fact that she has to let go and move on in life. There will
e others for her. She has to make peace with herself and come to terms with what
life has to offer. When we read what Azreen has had to go through, you imagine
that she has had a rough journey in life. However, there will be better things ahead
for her. The ending is neat.
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English
Language.
The Curse - Lee Su Ann
Step by Wicked Step - Ann Fine
Catch Us If You Can - Catherine McPhail
Choose any oneof the novels above and answer the question below.Using the details in the novel you have studied, write about an important event in
the story.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
I choose the novel, The Curse by Lee Su Ann. An important event in the
novel is the murder of Madhuri. Madhuri is found dead, with white blood
supposedly flowing out of her, by a young worker in a rubber estate. This starts off a
series of events on the island of Langkawi.
Azreen, Madhuris sister who is studying in London, returns to find the whole
village filled with rumours. Azreen is torn between her love for her sister and her
jealosy for the beautiful sister who is everything that she is not. People like the
village gossip monger, Puan Normala are quite happy to be spreading rumours
among the villagers. They say that Azreen hated her sister and this is the talk even
at the funeral.
The murder has given rise to a lot of talk and speculation as Madhuri is
the second wife of the village headman, Haji Ghani. The first wife of Haji Ghani,Fatihah hates Madhuri for taking her place. In addition, Mohd Asraf, who is
attracted to Madhuri right from the beginning, wants her to run away from her
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husband. Azreen who has always had a soft spot for Mohd Asraf, is torn by
emotions. The murder brings up a lot of questions as the undercurrents come to the
forefront in the face of this event, the murder of Madhuri.
The question of who could have killed Madhuri keeps the flow of the novel
going until the discovery of the truth at the end. The suspense keeps the reader onedge. The sight of the mystery woman adds further excitement.
In conclusion, the murder of Madhuri is an important and interesting event
that becomes a central issue to the story. The discovery of the real murdered and
the events that follow sustain the interest in the story well.
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