Book Review Of "Village By The Sea"

"Village By The Sea" is a story of a poor family, consisting of Hari and Lila, the elder children in the family, and how they overcome the problems they face. Hari travels to Bombay to earn more money for the family and Lila stays at home to look after her drunken father, ill mother, and two younger sisters, Bela and Kamal. It is set in a small, sleepy fishing village, Thul. The main themes of the story are:Benefactors, Family, Urban and Rural India, Poverty and Wealth and lastly, Change and Adaptation.

A Theme-Poverty and Wealth:
The theme "Poverty and Wealth" can be found throughout the story. We can see the contrast between Poverty and Wealth by comparing Hari's family and the de Silvas. By comparing them, we can tell that with money, many things can be done. Such as: the de Silvas were able to drive Hari's mother to the hospital and pay for her fees because they were wealthy. However, Hari's family could not afford to bring her to the hospital, needless to say pay for her fees. We can also compare the people living in Thul and the people living in Bombay. The people living in Bombay were much richer than the people living in Thul. They were able to afford many things that the people in Bombay could not afford. This shows that the theme, "Poverty and Wealth", can be found in the story.

Character Analysis-Hari

Hari is a responsible young boy. He shoulders the responsibility of taking care of the family at a young age. He worries about the financial status of the family, and tries to resolve the problem.

Hari is also hard working. To provide the family with food, Hari works in the field. Besides that, he plucks coconuts to sell and even tries to catch some fishes.

Hari is calm and thinks through thinks slowly. At a point of time, he has a few options. For example, he decides to ask the de Silvas to take him back with them the next time they come to get work, he could continue doing things he normally do, but would not have sufficient money in future, he would wait for the factory to be built and try to get a job, and lastly, he could stay in Thul and get a job on Biju's new diesel engine fishing boat.

He is quiet and good tempered. On two occasions, he and his family was insulted. The first incident was when Mr. de Silva commented that they were useless and that his father was a drunkard. The second incident was when the factory watchman said that all the villagers were pumpkin head and drank toddy and lay under coconut trees all day long. Although Hari feels insulted by these, he keeps it to himself, and did not quarrel with these people.

Hari wants to change. To improve his finanacial status of his family, he is willing to move to Bombay. He tries to adapt to the living conditions. In Bombay, he works and also stays in Sri Krishna Eating House, which was a shabby restaurant. He had to put up with the stuffy air. After a tiring day of work at the restaurant, he learns watch repairing skills from Mr. Panwallah who owns the watch mending shop next door.

My Parent's Most Memorable Book

My father's most memorable book is "The Singapore Story-Memoirs Of Lee Kuan Yew". The reason why? It told my father to have determination. He was from a poor family. A family consisting of over 10 children. He was one of the youngest, and at a young age, he had to stop his education and work in the society for money to provide education for the younger siblings. This book proved that with determination, anything can be done. Lee Kuan Yew, with his determination, managed to lead the country into independace. There is prove that Lee Kuan Yew did a good job, with the help of determination. Look around you. Or just look into the computer screen. You are living in a comfortable environment. Not everybody can be able to stay in such a good place. With food, lodging, clothes... Lee Kuan Yew, can be considered the "Father" of Singapore. It is he, who lead us to a 1st World Country in 44 years. This is what made my father successful today. Determination. Thus, my father thinks that this is his most memorable book he read.

Language Arts Assignment [Nothing But The Truth]

Philip Malloy:

Things cannot get any worse than this. I am now transferred to Washington Academy. How are Dad and Mum going to afford to send me to college? Narwin really hates me. Why does everyone still like her? This is crazy! How can Narwin be considered a fair teacher! She made a huge row about me humming! I bet she failed me intentionally. The book is all about stupid dogs anyway. What's the big deal? I just gave my opinion on the book, and she failed me. She can't even take a joke!

Although Narwin is so unreasonable and unfair, everyone claimed that she was a good teacher! Why? Every other people in the country including my parents think that she is not! How dare she suppress my rights of being a good citizen! I think she plainly hates me. There is not a rule stopping me from singing the Star Spangled Banner, so why did she scold me? I could it in Lunser's class, so why not in hers? Flrid

It's entirely her fault I can't join the track team. Coach Jamison keeps telling me that rubbish about having sportsmanship and following rules. English does not even have anything to do with running!

I just hope I will excel in the Washington Academy track team, and win for them.

In response to the above.

Coach Jamison:

You have to go with the flow, Philip! Abide to rules. If sports teaches you anything at all, it is to respect rules. It is not rubbish. It is something you must cherish that sports teaches you. We do not need an athlete that do not abide to rules. If you refuse to go with the flow, I will not accept you no matter how fast a runner you are. I advised you to talk to Narwin to get extra work to pass your English! Why did't you listen? Do you have any idea that if you had followed my advice, you will not have to transfer to Washington Academy, and I would not have to lose a good runner? You won't be able to win a medal in Washington Academy, dream on!

Miss Narwin:

I'm unreasonable and unfair?! In my entire teaching career, I have not even once been unfair to anyone. Why would I want to pick on you! Blame me for failing you? I failed you because you wrote intolerable nonsense for a masterpiece! Not any other teacher would pass you! There are uncountable things to learn from it. But it is not my business now. My career has now ended. I am currently in Florida with my sister. I'm overjoyed I would not have to face students like you anymore.

Albert Seymour:

Your actions have defeated the school budget. Because of you, we do not have anymore funds to send our teachers on courses. All because of this, I have to break my promise of Kimberly Howard to a Marching Band Course? Anyway, Harrison High does not discourage patriotism. You were only suspended because you created a huge commotion, and your refusal to listen to Miss Narwin.

Lunser:

To clarify, I am not a person that breaks rules. I have no idea what happened to you, you were decent in my class. What is wrong with you? Why cause so much trouble to everyone?

Readings Habits Of Mine

Reading has been a habit of mine since I was young. I have enjoyed reading books by Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and also other other random authors. I could still remember that the book series I was addicted to in my primary school life, from Primary 2 to 3, was the "A-Z Mysteries". This series is about 3 children, unknowingly getting into one mystery or another, and eventually using their wits to solve the mystery. From the name of the series, "A-Z Mysteries", you may have a hint that each book title is named according to the alphabets, for example the first few books are "The Absent Author", "The Bald Bandit" and "The Caged Canary", so on and so forth. You may have now known that my favourite book genre is Mystery. Followed by Adventure and Science Fiction. Currently, I read books such as the recent popular book series, "Twilight". I hope to be introduced to a wider variety of books soon.

Why Did I Do It?

Monday, April 9th

I hated my first day in the Washington Academy. There was not even a track team! My chance of ever becoming the Country Champ is gone... The Olympics,too. My homeroom teacher, Miss Rooney asked me to sing the Star Spangled Banner. I bet those students in my class were giggling in their hearts. The entire world now knows that I do not know the words of the Star Spangled Banner. It is not surprising now to see everyone walking by me wearing a funny look. I could almost listen to them gossip about me in the canteen while I was eating.

Dad and Mum had another tiff. Did not manage to hear what they were quarreling about. But I bet it was about money. Thanks to the depletion of my college funds.

Why did I do it?! I should have told Dad about the track team and the results of my English. I should have approached Narwin the moment Coach Jamison told me that I could not get into the track team. I would not have needed to lie to my parents if I had done so, Dad would not have complained to Ted, too. I did not even know I was humming the Star Spangled Banner. Who cares about that! I did not expect it to blow the matter up so much. I wish I could travel back in time!