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LILIBETH N.

VASOL ENG- 405 – LITERARY CRITICISM


2ND SEMESTER SY 2018-2019

LITERARY CRITICISM OF THE TAXIMAN’S STORY USING THE READER-

RESPONSE APPROACH

Introduction

“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline

him,” Proverbs 13:24.

Parents are in-charge in the over-all development of their children regardless of their age.

However, technology has been making this task extra burdensome for them.

Modernization has changed children’s behaviours in an unexpected, storming, and

seemingly despicable way. In an article published in the online page of Pew International

Research Center on April 9, 2015, writer Amanda Lenhart revealed that 24% of teens go online

“almost constantly,” facilitated by the widespread availability of smartphones. These teens can

multi-ask things that are related to smartphones. They can attend to their social media accounts,

answer e-mails, upload photos, etc. In the same study, the Pew Research Center reported that 92

percent of teens say they go online daily, with 24 percent noting that they are online constantly.

Three-quarters of responding teens own or have access to a smartphone. Of that group, 91

percent access the internet through their smartphone.

Now the big question is, “How serious are the damages caused by technology and

modernization in the behaviour of our youth, who have been considered time and again, as the

hope of our Land?”


The Taximan’s Story written by Singaporean author Catherine Lim narrates to us an

experience of a simple father whose hard work was rewarded by his daughter in such a

disappointing and betraying way. The story took place while the father was driving a passenger

to her destination. He struck a conversation and said many things about him – including his life,

his family’s life, and eventually his dismay towards his own daughter.

Because of this story’s interesting and relevant theme, it is a very good piece to present to

this generation of high technology. This is also the high time that this kind of issue be brought

out to cause awareness. This kind of awareness is very much vital nowadays as values of the

youth have started to meet the end. This kind of awareness is something that is necessitated by

parents who may be unaware of what is happening outside their respective houses. In the same

way, the story can be widely used by teachers in their lessons particularly in English class as it is

not only a good topic for correcting grammar, but also is a good source of lessons for reflection.

Furthermore, this analysis uses the Reader-response paradigm so the critiquing is banked

on my experiences. These experiences have changed my opinions, perspectives, and stands. With

this paradigm, I also discuss the effect of the text to me and how I am able to connect to this

striking story.
Analysis

The story begins with the Taximan accepting a passenger who was later revealed as a

teacher. He seemed to be very used to this kind of situation wherein he has to somehow

‘entertain’ his passenger. As a result, he had to strike a conversation about himself. This practice

by taxi drivers is very common. I lived in the National Capital Region from 2010- 2015. For

roughly five years, I have encountered taxi drivers who were very friendly and had this habit of

talking to their passenger especially when the situation calls for it (i.e. stuck in traffic). As a

matter of fact, according to Vineyard.com, one of the good qualities a taxi driver should have is

to be able to communicate freely with his or her passengers. There is actually nothing

uncomfortable about it except on times that I was very tired to talk since my job there involved

talking for almost 8 hours straight.

“Long time ago. Singapore not like this so crowded so busy. Last time more peaceful, not

so much taximen, or so much cars and buses. Singapore started to become successful with the

arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles who worked hard to make Singapore a trading place (retrieved

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Singaporean_history). With this line said by the

taximan himself, it makes me imagine the busy streets of Ortigas Center in Pasig, or the fully

occupied grounds of Makati. These are signs of progress. These are changes necessary for the

kind of economy that can feed people. This kind of environment is a screaming description of

people working hard for their families and for whoever. On the other hand, this progress also

leads us to some by-products, which in this case, extremely disappointing. The taximan freely

continued to relate his story. He even shared how his father disciplined him when he was

younger. “My father cane me. I was big enough to be married, and still, got caning”. He was

caned. He was punished for any wrongdoings. We have to be reminded that since the story is set
in Singapore which follows the Confucianism- Patriarch-ruled family, it can be expected that

Singaporean fathers are naturally involved in disciplining their children. As a matter of fact, the

Washington Post gives credit to Singapore’s strong family value as one of its secrets on how it

has become the high-end country that it is now. Just like any parents, of course this is very

realistic. My late father hit us too. Oh, that man! He was strict with us – his children. Nobody

could blame him for doing so. He got four daughters. I was aware that he was disappointed for

having four girls. He needed to finally get me (the fourth daughter) as a sign that he had to stop

trying for a boy. It was emphasized by my parents that good and decent girls should be home

before 6pm. I lived with that golden rule. I obeyed my parents. When I was told not to do it, of

course I had to question them but there was no answer given. I did not ask again. I did not dare to

break rules. I continuously performed the good girl act. I have no regrets whatsoever. I was

actually thankful.

Additionally, the taximan reinforced the fact that he became very familiar with the

behaviour of the youth – that he even took advantage of this situation. He confessed that these

gallant customers are his favourites as they give him so much money. They just don’t care about

the bucks. “Madam, I tell you this, every month, I get more money from these young girls and

their American and European boyfriends in my taxi, more than I get from other people who

bargain and say don‘t want go by meter and wait even for ten cents change. Phui!!” The

taximan discovered that these young girls have American or European boyfriends whom they

meet during school hours. They just change from wearing their school uniforms to some sexy

and casual clothing. He even gave an unsolicited advice to the passenger, “But I will tell you this,

Madam. If you have a young daughter and she says Mummy I got meeting today in school and

will not come home, you must not say, Yes, yes but you must go and ask her where and why and
who, and you find out. Today young people not to trust, like young people in many years ago.”

This scenario is very common. I guess all students have somehow used that alibi to cover up for

some misbehaving. I, myself have had to tell my parents a little lie so that I could go out; so that

I could get extra time for my friends and hang out with them. For comparison’s sake, I was

completely focused with my studies in high school. While I wanted to have extra cash to buy

more junk food, the idea of doing something nasty just to have money never dawned on me. In

the province, students during my time were not really bold to disobey parents. However,

nowadays, things have truly changed.

Later in the story, the taximan disclosed that his very own daughter, Lay Choo, had her

own share of displaying super negative behaviour. “Then one day, oh madam, it makes me so

angry even now---one day, I in my taxi driving, driving along and hey! I see a girl looking like

my Lay Choo, with other girls and some European outside a coffee---house but I think, it cannot

be Lay Choo, how can, Lay Choo is in school, and this girl is all dressed up and make-up, and

very bold in her behavior, and this is not like my daughter at all. Then they all go inside the

coffee-house, and my heart is very, very--- hoe you describe it, madam, my heart is very ―susah

hati and I say to myself, I will watch that Lay Choo and see her monkey tricks.” The taximan

was betrayed by his favourite daughter. His poor heart was broken, and his pride was extremely

hurt. He beat the young girl was determined to kill her due to utmost anger. Nonetheless, the fact

that he was the father, he had no choice but to give the girl a chance to prove herself but this

time, she was closely monitored.

The story ended with the taximan saying goodbye to the passenger when they have

finally reached the teacher’s destination. “So very sorry. Madam, and thank you very much”, he

said.
Conclusion

The story written by Catherine Lim is truly one of the treasures of Asian Literature.

Using the Reader Response Theory for critiquing the short story, I became an active part of the

text. Interpreting the text and intertwining its content with my views and experience was

absolutely meaningful for me.

The theme of the Taximan’s Story is something that is easy to relate because it unfolds

the truth. Even though some people avoid the topic of prostitution, it can’t be denied that it is

actually happening. It is just sad that the youth are the main target of this societal problem. It is

probably because they are in search of something adventurous. Additionally, prostitution has

become a social problem in Singapore despite its legality to some extent. There are regulated

red-light districts, in which police regularly patrol foreign and local women legally to solicit and

offer sexual services to customers in brothels, karaoke lounges and massage parlours. These

women are required to carry health cards and to undergo periodic medical checks.

(https://irblaw.com.sg/learning-centre/prostitution-in-singapore/

On the contrary, child prostitution is illegal everywhere, I believe. What kind of country

will allow its minors be prostitutes? Nonetheless, some brave this kind of irregularity for the sake

of earning money. That is the saddest reality.

Meanwhile, as a teacher, the text has a great value to me as this can be a very good spring

board for many topics. Plus, since the story is value-laden, it can bring out a good discussion in

the classroom. The students can relate to the story as the character involved (Lay Choo) is of

their age. While some of them may feel awkward with the theme, it is a social issue that I

believe, should be addressed.


Lastly, the reader response technique in literary criticism is probably the student-

friendliest. If to be applied in a classroom setting, reader response allows readers to bring

personality traits, memories of the past, and present experiences to the text. It also allows

teachers to connect with their students on a more personal level

(https://readerresponsecriticism.weebly.com/advantagesdisadvantages.html.) It is the simplest

form as it relates to their experience and how they can connect to the overall theme of the text.

Moreover, it can touch their subjective judgment wherein they can be free as to what aspect of

the text they want to attack. As oppose to formalism, Marxism, historical, etc. that require

digging deeper to understand the text, Reader Response requires nothing but connectionism and

comprehension.

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