Gender inequality is a serious issue in the novel. Her parents think that it is wasteful and
foolish for girls to attend school. She is given the chance to attend school only because her
brother Kwai, had insisted that she be allowed to study along with him. In her community,
girls are expected to stay at home and help with the housework and when they are older,
get married and have a family of their own to take care of. Young girls such as Dawan are
deprived of their basic rights. Many of them have to resign to their fate. Hence, Dawan
refuses to give up on her dreams. She is expected to follow such traditional biased custom.
However, she fights for her right for education. There are many situations where she fights
for her right for education in the novel such as the arguments with her Father, her brother ,
Kwai and the head monk.
Gender discrimination is a norm in Dawn’s village. Dawn’s parents are poor and conservative.
This is shown in the novel when her father pressured her to give up the scholarship to Kwai.
He was disappointed when Dawan won the scholarship. He had hoped that Kwai would
study in the city and help him and the villagers. He believed that she cannot do anything by
studying more. He demanded to know why she should study more as she will end up to be a
housewife just like her mother. Dawan bravely met with the disapproval of his father when
she told him that she wanted to pursue her studies in the city school. Dawan wanted her
father to be fair and kind to her as his flesh and blood. She pleaded with her father to give
her a chance and believe in her dreams. Her father asked her probing and challenging
questions to be convinced that he is sending the right person to the City to study. She
convinced him that she too can help the people in the village and perhaps her country.
Although, her father is autocratic, he listened to her explanation and finally gave in and to
Dawan wishes and let her study in the City.
Dawan and her brother Kwai have similar ambitious plans to improve life in the village. In
fact, both of them hope to win the scholarship which will be a stepping stone to their
dreams. He discriminates her as he was not happy that Dawan won the scholarship. This is
shown in the novel when he talked about his dreams and desires without thinking of her
sister feelings. He assumed that Dawan did not want to go to the City to study. Kwai accused
her sister of trying to get Noi on her sides to convince their father to let her go. He was
unsympathetic when told her sister that he still had the chance to go as he was second in
the test. He also said that she has no leadership qualities to make changes and in the village
and lead the villagers. He repeated that more studying is useless as Dawan will end up being
a housewife. He told her that a girl cannot fight, argue and make the village a better place to
live after studying in the city like him. When his father eventually relented to Dawan, he hid
his hurt and sorrow. His teardrops fell on the floorboard but he quickly covered it with is
toes. On the contrary, Dawan listened patiently to him when he talked about his plans and
dreams. Dawan told him that she was also confused and scared to go to the city to study.
She pleaded with him not to make things difficult for her. Kwai was upset because things
would be better for her and he would be lonely and things would change when she came
back. Kwai felt ashamed that he caused his sister troubles. He sister was concerned about
his health and even gave him her umbrella that she needed to. He was determined that his
sister should go to the city to study. He stood on the bridge and sang their morning song
with outstretched arm gesturing to hug her and send her off.
The head monk too discriminates against female. He believes in the old ways and customs
and does not want to change the order of things in the society. He discrimates Dawan. This
is shown in the novel when he did not think that girls need to be educated. He told Dawan
that it was unfortunate that Kwai her brother did not win the scholarship. He refused to help
Dawan to persuade her father to let her go to the City school. The head monk discouraged
her and told her that she can learn everything she wanted in the temple. He talked about
religious and life to Dawan. He told Dawan that nothing last in the world. He told her that
not to waste time dreaming of useless ambitions because she cannot achieve anything as a
mere school girl. The monk told her if it was Kwai her brother then there would be no
problem. Dawan was angry at the injustice towards her. She told the monk that he did not
live with the pain of the world outside the temple. He lives in the monastery and everything
was provided for him. Dawan told the monk off when he told her not to waster her time
dreaming. She angrily retorted that he was unfair and left the temple feeling angry, bitter,
hopeless and heart-broken.
The novel Sing to The Dawn by Minfong Ho tells of Dawan, a young village girl who
lives in Thailand, wins a scholarship to study in the city school. Her brother, Kwai places
second and initially jealous, causing a rift between the two previously close siblings. This
hostility is further exacerbated by Dawan’s father, who feels that the city is no place for a
female. Dawan faces obstacles and proves to herself and to others that she is fully capable
of handling the scholarship and the responsibility it entails. So, the ironical situations that
make the story interesting is gender discrimination.
First and foremost, girls and Dawan are discriminated against and denied the right to
education. The men have the primitive thinking that a girl’s place is at home and they
are disallowed to go to school. Her parents only allow her to go to school after her brother,
Kwai, persuaded them. Thus, she is in the same class as Kwai. Later, when Dawan wins the
scholarship and tells her father about it, pleading to let her studies, he asks why she should
keep studying. He also unfairly compares and favours Kwai ove his daughter. He thinks it is
not right for a “mere girl” to go in Kwai’s place to the city. Ruthlessly, he even wants to
exercise his power to forbid her from going as more education is wasted on a girl. Dawan
never give up on her dreams. She fights for her rights. The arguments with her father and
brother make her a determined girl. After failing many times, eventually, she manages to
convince him to believe in her dreams and gives her a chance.
Next, gender discrimination is shown by the monk. This is proven when Dawan seeks
the monks help with high hopes because he is influential. But he too refuses to persuade her
father to let her go because he does not want to change the norms of the society. He
disapproves and discourages her from studying in the city by talking about religion and life.
Like the other men, he also discriminates and tells her not to waste time dreaming “futile
dreams” because she cannot achieve anything as a “mere schoolgirl”. If Kwai had won the
scholarship, he wouldn’t face any oppositions from anyone. Dawan is angry and bitter at all
these injustices towards her. She speaks out her mind by stating that the monk never suffer
like the villagers as they never live a life outside the temple. Their needs are fulfilled by the
villagers.
Lastly, Bao’s brother, bullies and discriminates girls too. He is selfish and fights Bao to
get what he wants. He is indeed violent and has no respect for his sister. Even in public, at
the market, he slaps and boxes her when he discovers that she has allowed some customers
to set his caged sparrows free without collecting any money from them.
“A BRAVE MAN IS NOT HE WHO DOESN’T FEEL AFRAID BUT HE WHO CONQUERS THAT FEAR”
WITH CLOSE REFERENCE TO THE TEXT, DESCRIBE HOW THIS IS POTRAYED BY ONE OF THE
CHARACTER AND EXPLAIN HOW THIS QUALITY WOULD BENEFIT YOU.
Sing to the Dawn by Ming Fong Ho is the novel I learnt. The story is about a young Thai girl
called Dawan who wins a scholarship to study in a city school. She faces the disapproval of
her father who thinks that studying is not for girls and she should give the scholarship to her
brother as he is second in the test. Dawan tries many ways to convince her father to let her
pursue her studies. I believe that a brave man is not he who doesn’t feel afraid but he who
conquers that fear. One of the character who potrayed this is Dawan. The arguments with
her father, her brother Kwai and the head monk prove that Dawan doesn’t feel afraid but
conquers her fear.
Firstly, Dawan is not afraid when she tries to convince her father that he should give her a
chance to study. When she approaches her father she keeps on failing but she never gives up.
She continues to do so and succeed in her mission. This is shown in the novel when she
mustered courage and spoke up bravely to seek justice from her father. She
is feared because her father has the primitive thinking that a girl’s place is in the home and
they do not to go to school. He treated his flesh and blood unfairly as he favoured Kwai over
Dawan. He told Dawan that more education for a girl will be wasted. Bravely Dawan told
her father that the scholarship is rightfully hers. She aspired to study and find a new system
to help the villagers as well. She pleaded and convinced him to believe in her dreams and to
give her the chance. She failed many times. Eventually, she managed to convince her father.
He relented and let her went to the City School. It is clearly shown that Dawan conquers
her fear when she tries to convince her father that he should give her a chance to study in
the city.
Secondly, Dawan is not afraid when she argues with her brother, Kwai. After the teacher
announces the she wins the scholarship, she knows that her brother is angry and
unhappy. This is shown in the novel when Kwai demanded to know why she should pursue
her studies as she will end up being a housewife. He belittled her by saying that she has no
leadership quality to make changes and lead the villagers like him. Kwai pushed her and she
had a bad cut on her ankle when they argued at the market. Dawan displayed
her braveness after the fight at the market. She talked to her brother because she
feared the differences between them to widen. She told her brother him that she wished
that both of them could go to the City School. She pleaded that it was her last chance and
Kwai still has many chances to apply and go later. She told him that she felt scared about
going to the city and pleaded to him not to make it more difficult on her. She was concerned
and worried about his health during a heavy downpour at the bridge. She scarificed her
comfort for him by giving him the umbrella that she needed too. She did not want her
brother to regret and thought that she forced him later. Kwai realised that her sister was fair
to him. Kwai was determined to let her sister go the City as he was very sure about what he
wanted. It is as clear as day that Dawan conquers her fear when she tries to convince her
brother that he should give her a chance to study in the city.
Lastly, Dawan is not afraid when she argues with the old monk. The head monk
discriminates against female. He believes in the old ways and customs and does not want to
change the order of things in the society. This is shown in the novel when he did not think
that girls need to be educated. He told Dawan that it was unfortunate that Kwai her brother
did not win the scholarship. He refused to help Dawan to persuade her father to let her go to
the City school. The head monk discouraged her and told her that she can learn everything
she wanted in the temple. He talked about religious and life to Dawan. He told Dawan that
nothing last in the world. He told her that not to waste time dreaming of useless ambitions
because she cannot achieve anything as a mere school girl. The monk told her if it was Kwai
her brother then there would be no problem. Dawan was angry at the injustice towards
her. She bravely told the monk that he did not live with the pain of the world outside the
temple. He lives in the monastery and everything was provided for him. Dawan told the
monk off when he told her not to waster her time dreaming. She bravely retorted that he
was unfair and left the temple feeling angry, bitter, hopeless and heart-broken. It is clearly
shown that Dawan conquers her fear when she tries to convince the monk that
she should be given her a chance to study in the city.
In conclusion, the arguments with her father, her brother Kwai and the head monk prove
that Dawan doesn’t feel afraid but conquers her fear. Dawan is a brave person. I learnt to be
brave from this character. I learn to argue with patience and maturity in any occasion. I learn
to forgive and forget. I shall fight for my rights and make my dreams come true.
Thesis statement: The arguments with her father, her brother Kwai and the head monk
prove that Dawan doesn’t feel afraid but conquers her fear.
Tpoic sentence : Firstly, Dawan is not afraid when she tries to convince her father that he
should give her a chance to study.
Concluding sentence: It is clearly shown that Dawan conquers her fear when she tries to
convince her father that he should give her a chance to study in the city.
Topic sentence: Secondly, Dawan is not afraid when she argues with her brother, Kwai.
Concluding sentence: It is as clear as day that Dawan conquers her fear when she tries to
convince her brother that he should give her a chance to study in the city.
Topic sentence: Lastly, Dawan is not afraid when she argues with the old monk.
Concluding sentence: It is clearly shown that Dawan conquers her fear when she tries to
convince the monk that she should be given her a chance to study in the city.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the arguments with her father, her brother Kwai and the head
monk prove that Dawan doesn’t feel afraid but conquers her fear.
Useful phrase in giving evidence: This is shown in the novel when…(WRITE OUT YOUR
EVIDENCES)
SPM 2008 - Using the detail from the novel that you studied, Describe what happened at
the end of the novel. Explain why you find the ending either happy or sad. Support your
answer with close reference to the text.
Sing to the Dawn by Ming Fong Ho is the novel I learnt. The story is about a young Thai
girl called Dawan who wins a scholarship to study in a city school. She faces the disapproval
of her father who thinks that studying is not for girls and she should give the scholarship to
her brother as he is second in the test. Dawan tries many ways to convince her father to let
her pursue her studies. The story ends with a happy note with Dawan sitting on the bus
going to the city and the beginning of social attitudes changes on gender discrimination in
the village and her family.
Firstly, the change in the social attitude is seen when the villagers gathered around
Dawan’s house to say good bye to her. Dawan was tremendously touched with the farewell
her grandmother gave to her. This is shown in the novel when grandmother showed
tremendous heroin spirit just like Dawan herself. Grandmother taught Dawan an important
lesson that she must go to the City School because only then she could realise her potential
and live her life to the fullest. Just like a lotus bud, with proper sunlight and good water it
will unfold. Even when Dawan was unsure whether she should have the change, the
grandmother assured her that there is a beautiful pattern to all this change. Of course
Dawan will change. She will have to change to survive in a city world but even then she could
still come back to her hometown to be the girl she used to be. She will never behave the
same way, but that is the way of life. It is clearly seen that the change is beginning to take
place in the village societal values and attitudes, but equal rights must be enforced by laws
because individual members of societies will never all think the same.
Secondly, the change in the social attitude is seen in her family when her brother says
good bye to her. Dawan was disappointed that Kwai would not come and send her off. This
is shown in the novel when her bother sat on the bridge, refusing to send Dawan off on her
departure date. The close bond between them further conveys a sense of sadness as the
reader knows that these they would not see each other for long time. He was not
complaining to Dawan or trying to not let her go, but he was scared, scared of the loneliness,
scared of the distance between his sister and himself. Kwai had to face a separation from his
sister who used to be his best friend. He did not know how long this separation is going to
last. He was simply unprepared. He was scared that they could not ever sit on the bridge and
watched the dawn like they used to anymore. As her bus was running fast to leave the
village, she saw Kwai standing on the bridge, stretching both arms 'in a gesture meant both
to embrace her and to send her off'. He cared for her. Kwai sang the song that they sang
every dawn. Then, she sang together with Kwai until she cannot see Kwai anymore. Next,
she looked at the lotus flower her grandmother gave her to convince her to go. As she saw it
unfolded, she became more convinced that her grandmother was right; she should go to the
city, like the lotus unfolding. It is as clear as day that the change is beginning to take place in
her family values and attitudes.
I am really touched with the ending. The story has highlighted the problem of gender
inequality in the village. The phenomenon of leaving the village to enter cities is addressed.
Education in a city will change many people's life from bad to good. The life-changing event
has affected the mind-set and of Dawan's family members and the villagers. Maybe this will
change her own individual family or the society attitudes. Dawan’s youthful passion of
changing the lives of the people in her village begin to unfold as she notices the lotus bud
begins to bloom.
MRSM: SUGGEST ONE CHARACTER IN THE NOVEL THAT YOU HAVE READ WHO YOU THINK
HAS ADMIRABLE QUALITIES. DESCRIBE THE CHARACTER AND GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR
CHOICE WITH CLOSE REFERENCE TO THE TEXT.
Sing to the Dawn by Ming Fong Ho is the novel I learnt. The story is about a young Thai girl
called Dawan who wins a scholarship to study in a city school. She faces the disapproval of
her father who thinks that studying is not for girls and she should give the scholarship to her
brother as he is second in the test. Dawan tries many ways to convince her father to let her
pursue her studies. Dawan has many admirable qualities such as determination and loving
and caring.
First of all, Dawan is a determined girl. Her parents think that it is wasteful and foolish for
girls to attend school. She is given the chance to attend school only because her brother
Kwai had insisted that she be allowed to study along with him. In her community, girls are
expected to stay at home and help with the housework and when they are older, get
married and have a family of their own to take care of. Young girls such as Dawan are
deprived of their basic rights. Many of them have to resign to their fate. Dawan, being
a determined girl refused to give up on her dreams. She refused to follow such traditional
biased custom. Hence, she fought for her right for education. There were many situations
where determinedly fought for her right for education in the novel such as the arguments
with her Father. This is shown in the novel when her father pressured her to give up the
scholarship to Kwai. He was disappointed when Dawan won the scholarship. He had hoped
that Kwai would study in the city and help him and the villagers. He believed that she cannot
do anything by studying more. He demanded to know why she should study more as she will
end up to be a housewife just like her mother. Dawan determinedly met with the
disapproval of his father when she told him that she wanted to pursue her studies in the city
school. Dawan wanted her father to be fair and kind to her as his flesh and blood. She
pleaded with her father to give her a chance and believe in her dreams. Her father asked her
probing and challenging questions to be convinced that he is sending the right person to the
City to study. She convinced him that she too can help the people in the village and perhaps
her country. Although, her father is autocratic, seeing her determination, he listened to her
explanation and finally gave in to Dawan wishes and let her study in the City. As we can
clearly see now Dawan is a determined girl as she refuses to give up on her dreams and
fights for her rights.
Dawan is also a loving and caring sister. Dawan and her brother Kwai have similar ambitious
plans to improve life in the village. In fact, both of them hope to win the scholarship which
will be a stepping stone to their dreams. He discriminates her as he was not happy that
Dawan won the scholarship. This is shown in the novel when he talked about his dreams and
desires without thinking of her sister feelings. He assumed that Dawan did not want to go to
the City to study. Kwai accused her sister of trying to get Noi on her sides to convince their
father to let her go. He was unsympathetic when told her sister that he still had the chance
to go as he was second in the test. He also said that she has no leadership qualities to make
changes and in the village and lead the villagers. He repeated that more studying is useless
as Dawan will end up being a housewife. He told her that a girl cannot fight, argue and make
the village a better place to live after studying in the city like him. When his father eventually
relented to Dawan, he hid his hurt and sorrow. His teardrops fell on the floorboard but he
quickly covered it with is toes. On the contrary, Dawan being a loving and caring sister
listened patiently to him when he talked about his plans and dreams. Dawan told
him kindly that she was also confused and scared to go to the city to study. She pleaded
with him not to make things difficult for her. She told him kindly that he will have other
chances to pursue his studies in the city unlike her. She forgave Kwai and forgets the
incident in the market place where she cut her ankle again a sharp wooden splinter as
she loved him. Kwai felt ashamed that he caused his sister troubles. Kwai was upset because
things would be better for her and he would be lonely and things would change when she
came back. He sister was kind, loving and caring and concerned about his health and even
gave him her umbrella that she needed to. He was determined that his sister should go to
the city to study. He stood on the bridge and sang their morning song with outstretched arm
gesturing to hug her and send her off. It is as clear as day that Dawan is a loving and
caring sister.
In conclusion, Dawan has many admirable qualities such as determination and loving and
caring. Her determination pays off when her father relents to her dreams to pursue her
studies in the city. She loves Kwai dearly. Kwai was deeply touched by her sister’s loves. He
tells his father that he has no right to forbid Dawan from studying in the city school. He
defies his father and insists that he will not go if he does not Dawan go, so Takchit, who is
third will go instead. It is undeniable that being determined and loving and caring are
important when one faces challenges and difficulties in life. We should never give up on our
dreams.