SINGAPORE SPIRIT : LANDSCAPES IN FICTION

Abstract

This academic exercise is concerned with the Singaporean perceptions of local landscape as portrayed through the fictional works of local writers. The analysis is largely based on contemporary English novels and short stories written after the country's independence in 1965. In the study of these literary works, three themes become evident in the Singapore landscape experience. The first concerns the local perception of the 'engineered' landscape that Singapore has become synonymous with. This urban landscape is captured in fictional portrayals of the economic, commercialized 'city' and the ubiquitous public housing estates of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. In these cultural landscapes, local writers have focused on existential issues, the inroads of Westernization and the processes of social stratification. The second theme offers an insight into Singapore's culturally diverse population. In their 'ethnic salad' depictions, there are interesting perceptions of not only the specific ethnic groups but also that which pertains to the existential relationships between the various race. Singapore's predominant Chinese population is the dominant theme in most of the local stories. Here, one gets to sample the traditions, customs, values and cultural nuances of the Chinese stock. The portrayals of other ethnic groups - - Malays, Indians, Eurasians, and Peranakans are done from a Chinese cultural point of view. Hence the literature deals more with stereotypes, negative views, biases, and prejudices of these ethnic groups revealing in turn, the underlying tension beneath Singapore's well publicized 'racial harmony'. The third theme focuses on the local authors' conscious and unconscious attempts in portraying the national identity. The Singapore image is captured in national traits and interests as well as the political climate. Valuable insights into an emerging Singaporean culture and the 'spirit' of the people are gleaned from the campaigns that pepper the local genre de vie and the Singlish or the 'kiasu' psyche that all seem to share. An analysis of Singapore fiction serves to illustrate two notions of geographic significance. First, that literature provides an important alternative source of information for geographers. While quantitative definitions may provide objective assessments, it is only through the subjective interpretations that a place is rendered its identity and spirit. Next, the role of local fiction as the vehicle of perception and environmental cognition is highlighted in the analysis. The central importance here being a local's -- not a foreigner's cognition of the landscape. These local creative works tend to reveal with more acuity, the insights into an area's social geography; subtle cultural meanings and symbols usually not easily discernable by the alien eye.