Worksheet for "Boom" and Setting

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Literature in English: Jean Tay's BoomUnit on SETTING and ATMOSPHERELocation Studies (Zion Mansions and 'Dream Homes') Atmosphere and Staging

Definition of SETTING/ ATMOSPHERE The SETTING of an episode or scene within a work is the particular physical, historical or cultural location in

which it takes place. A study of SETTING looks at the means by which a writer creates a particular mood or atmosphere in a

scene/text, the influence and effect of the setting/atmosphere of a text, and the significance of differences or changes.

The ATMOSPHERE (Also called mood) is the emotional feelings inspired by a work, as it is created by diction, dialogue, setting, and description. Often the opening scene in a play or novel establishes an atmosphere appropriate to the theme of the entire work.

In our study of Boom, the main literary aspects we aim to gain a better understanding of are:

Theme: Contestations of space, conflict in family relationships, conflict in expectations and reality, death and dehumanisation, memories and identity, progress and stasis…

Context: Historical and Cultural Context, Genre (dramatic text and on-stage), Literary Context (Genre and dramatic performances)

Characterisation: Study of the main characters and their relationships

Setting and Atmosphere: Social and cultural context, diction and imagery

Language Use: Diction, Sound, Dialogue, Imagery, Symbols

Point of View: Author and Context, Writing and Purpose

You may realise that we have already discussed some of these, either briefly or in greater detail, during previous lessons on Boom. As we look in closer detail at SETTING in this unit and move through later units, we will progressively revisit these aspects of the text to build a better understanding and appreciation of Boom as a literary work.

Location Studies: Tan Pin Pin’s Moving House – Mandai Columbarium

Singapore, The Cemetery and Mandai Columbarium

SETTINGPlace, Space, Time, Objects in aPhysical, Historical or Cultural location

DESCRIPTIONWhat is being said about it? (Pay close attention to details in the text: diction (word choice, expressions, imagery, similes, metaphors...). Do they contribute to a single idea?)

IMPLICATION AND EFFECT on ATMOSPHEREWhat do the descriptions mean? What do the descriptions suggest in a literal or non-literal way? What, tone ideas and feelings do they communicate?

THE DEEPER MEANING WITHIN THE TEXTHow does this compare with other parts of the text? Why does the character say this? (Think about motivation, intention and purpose)

THE DEEPER MEANING OUTSIDE THE TEXTWhy does the text say this? Why does the author write about this? (Think about Motivation, intention and purpose)

Singapore “smart, modern flats”“decent, modern living for all”“vertical homes in the sky”“no limits to Singapore’s demand for space”

Tone of optimism and progress.Hunger and relentlessness in pursuit.

The tone and use of documentary material conveys a sense of factual objectivity and credibility.

The short film comments on the occupation of space in 3 different locales – apartment buildings, cemeteries and columbariums. The associations and connections develops a theme of belonging and displacement.

Parents’ Grave “Taoists believe that tombs are the homes of the spirits of the ancestors”“the physical link between the world of the living and the dead”“auspicious location”

Tone of objectivity and factual documentation (narrator).Tone of reverence and spiritual belief (Mr. Chew).

The tone conveys a sense of factual objectivity and credibility. Personal interviews with Mr. Chew highlight his beliefs.

Mandai Columbarium Block, unit numberNew home, moving in“modern accommodation”

atmosphere and traditions lost (Mr. Chew)

Parallel comparison to public housing.

Sense of loss is expressed.

The tone and the framing of niches at the columbarium suggest distance and anonymity.

Location Studies (Zion Mansion and 'Dream Homes'), Staging and Point of View

“I'm telling you it's all about location location location” (65)

MOTHER'S HOUSE – Zion Mansion

SETTINGPlace, Space, Time, Objects in aPhysical, Historical or Cultural location

DESCRIPTIONWhat is being said about it? (Pay close attention to details in the text: diction (word choice, expressions, imagery, similes, metaphors...). Do they contribute to a single idea?)

IMPLICATION AND EFFECT on ATMOSPHEREWhat do the descriptions mean? What do the descriptions suggest in a literal or non-literal way? What, tone ideas and feelings do they communicate?

THE DEEPER MEANING WITHIN THE TEXTHow does this compare with other parts of the text? Why does the character say this? (Think about motivation, intention and purpose)

THE DEEPER MEANING OUTSIDE THE TEXTWhy does the text say this? Why does the author write about this? (Think about Motivation, intention and purpose)

Act 1, Scene 2 – Moving out “cluttered ground floor flat”“shelf full of tacky souvenir figurines” (imagery)“anything from this century or not?”, “from donkey years ago”“old”, “hideous” “rubbish”, “dump” (word choice)“Maybe I senile already. Like this house” (personification)

Space is crowded (“cluttered”, “shelf full”) and in a mess.Items are considered by Boon to be undesirable (“hideous”) and redundant (“rubbish”, “from donkey years ago”).Mother refers to age and loss (“senile”) in herself and the house.Tone of resentment (Boon) and nostalgia (Mother).

Boon’s comments reflect his desire for newness and resentment and repression of unhappy past.

Mother’s comments reflect her persistence and doggedness in preserving the past and memories.

The text shows conflict in desires between Boon and Mother. The conflict develops the themes the novel discusses about space, relationships, memory and identity, progress and stasis.

Act 1, Scene 5 – Boon's dream “residue”“Superman stickers refuse to come off, but still cling desperately to the wall, white and scrabby” (personification)“scuff marks… look like train tracks” (similes)“black grime strangles… alien tentacles” (personification)“buried like kryptonite in these walls”

Persistence and despair (“refuse to”, “cling desperately”)Worn out (“scuff marks”)Foreignness (“train tracks”, “alien tentacles”)Repression (“buried in these walls”)

Persistence and despair suggest fear and repression in Boon.

The sense of alien invasion and suggest that the repressed past infects and attacks Boon.

The text shows conflict within the character, Boon. Boon is filled with resentment and fear of memory.The conflict develops the themes the novel discusses about relationships, memory and identity.

Act 1, Scene 8 – Memory of the new house

“They’re so… White. I’ve never seen walls so white before… I’ve never smelled walls so white before. No one else has lived here before. My whole life, I’ve lived inside borrowed walls… borrowed bathrooms… borrowed floors. But now.”(repetition)

Whiteness suggests an untainted state of cleanliness, purity, dreams and expectations. The contrast to “borrowed” in Mother’s “But now” suggests ownership, belonging and security.

Mother’s desire for newness in the past contrasts with her desire to cling to old memories now. Her past desires for newness reflect young optimism and anticipation of the future.

The text contrasts young Mother’s expectations and desires with that of old Mother, and draws associations between both. The comparison develops the themes the novel discusses about relationships, memory and identity.

Act 2, Scene 7 – Chat with male neighbour

“rotten… old… leaking…”Stains, algae. (personification)“If it were a person, it’d be suffering from cancer. Outside still look okay, but inside, all eaten up by disease. Terminal cancer… definitely incurable. If it were a person, I’d send it to a hospice or an old folks’ home already. No point having it around.”“just a building… It’s not like it’s made of flesh and blood. It’s just bricks and cement.”“My home. More than just bricks and cement.”

Personification of house as a diseased, unhealthy and afflicted body.Reference to being eaten up from inside suggests a torturing and invisible sickness kept secret.

Reference to what the home symbolises> more than just the physical structure.

Neighbour’s reference to old age and terminal disease, and the redundant presence of old people, suggests resentment and associations of the house with Mother, who is in the way of his desire to move.

Mother’s persistence is linked directly to her memories, past experience and identity.

The text shows conflict in desires between Boon and Mother. The conflict develops the themes the novel discusses about contestations of space, progress and stasis.

Location Studies (Zion Mansion and 'Dream Homes') Staging and Point of View

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! To Heaven!” (7)

‘DREAM HOMES’ – Show flats, Paradise, Mandai Columbarium, New Home

SETTINGPlace, Space, Time, Objects in aPhysical, Historical or Cultural location

DESCRIPTIONWhat is being said about it? (Pay close attention to details in the text: diction (word choice, expressions, imagery, similes, metaphors...). Do they contribute to a single idea?)

IMPLICATION AND EFFECT on ATMOSPHEREWhat do the descriptions mean? What do the descriptions suggest in a literal or non-literal way? What, tone ideas and feelings do they communicate?

THE DEEPER MEANING WITHIN THE TEXTHow does this compare with other parts of the text? Why does the character say this? (Think about motivation, intention and purpose)

THE DEEPER MEANING OUTSIDE THE TEXTWhy does the text say this? Why does the author write about this? (Think about Motivation, intention and purpose)

Act 1, Scene 1 - The show-flat

Act 2, Scene 2 – Getting Busted

Act 2, Scene 5 – Columbarium advertisement

Act 2, Scene 19 – Mother dreams of becoming a mynah