Literature: OFF CENTRE Qn. 1-6

Questions 1-6 Off centre guidebook

Q1) In your opinion, how key is the parent-child relationship to Vinod's inevitable end?

In the play off centre, we can see how parent-child relationships affect Vinod. Vinod feel like he is no getting the attention he yearns for from his parents, he tells Saloma how that his parents are never around and how they don't care about him and that he has a mental illness. He says that because his parents have high profile jobs, thay are very busy with their work, so, they have no time for him. Besides taking the pills, family support is also important to ensure that Vinod recovers from his mental illness. Without the support from his family, it was difficult for Vinod to recover from his mental illness and accept that he is mentally ill. Thus, this is what led to Vinod's inevitable end

Q2) `Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall.' To what extent do you agree with this analysis of Vinod's predicament and tragedy

To a large extent, I agree that Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall. In the play, Vinod sees Saloma as a lost kitten that he has to protect. In other words, he sees himself as Saloma's guardian. Vinod does not believe that he is mentally ill and he tells Saloma not to take the pills. As Vinod is well educated, he thinks that the pills do not cure them from their mental illness. Instead, he thinks that the pills make them worse because when he takes the pills, he starts to shiver. As a result of not taking the pills, his mental illness worsen in time and this is what led to his death. This shows how Vinod's high expectations of himself caused his downfall.

Q3) Discuss the reasons for Saloma's transformation in the play.

In the play, we see Saloma transforming drastically. For example, near the end of the play we can see that she is on the road to recover from her mentall illness. In the start of the play,our first impression of Saloma is that she is a shy person and just follows what others say. Also, it was Vinod, at the start of the play who was 'stronger' not Saloma. But as the play proceeds on, we can see that Saloma is getting 'stronger' and it is Vinod who is getting weaker. This shows the transformation that Saloma has gone through in the play. Some reasons for Saloma's transformation is because of her constant determination to cure her of her mental illness and also because of other characters in the play, like Mak, Emily and Vinod. These three characters are the three main characters that is the reason or Saloma's transformation. In my opinion, i think that Emily has played a major role in Saloma's transformation. She taught Saloma to be independant and gave her courage to connect back to the public.

Q4) "Though a minor role in the play, the character of Razali is key to the plot of Off Centre ." To what extent do you agree with this assessment?

I agree to a certain extent that Razali is a key to the plot of off centre. Razali is first introduced near the climax of the play, he is the security guard at Vinod's block. Vinod and Saloma see him as their 'bapak' or their guardian who protects them from any harm. In the climax where the robbery took place, Razali was not there and Vinod has another mental breakdown. This caused them to lose their trust in Razali.With Razali, Vinod and Saloma felt like they still had hope to get accepted by society, but because of the robbery all of that changed. Vinod felt like there was nobody to protect him. Although not much is said about Razali in the play, he plays a key role to the plot of off centre because his character is introduced in the climax of the play.

Q5) "Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyatta" means to "Give, Sympathise, Control." How did the major characters in the play exert control in their environment and/or in their lives? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

One main character in the play who exert control in their environment and/or in their live in my opinon is Emily. Saloma was very close with Emily, Emily made Saloma feel safe around her and gave her encouraging words like "I am strong, nothing can destroy me" and ''They are jealous, because I am special." These words of encouragement gave Saloma courage to stand up for her own rights. Emily was patient with Saloma, that is why Saloma feels comfortable around her as Saloma thinks that Emily can help her recover. This shows how a mjor character in the play ho exert control in their environment and/or in their live.

Q6) Based on the text Off Centre, discuss how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well-being.

Peer acceptance and family support are especially vital to social status and mental well-being. Other than taing the pills. peer acceptance and family support are vital as without them, it will be difficult for Saloma and Vinod to recover from their mental illness and if they do not get well, they may not get accepted by society. That is why peer acceptance and family support are vital. At the end of the play. we can see that Saloma is on her way to recovery as she has taken the pills and the determination and the support from her peers and her family. Unike Vinod, who at the end of the play, he commited suicide. Vinod felt like Saloma had abandoned him so he felt alone as Saloma was the only person there for him, he had no one else to go to except for Saloma. That is why Vinod commited suicide. This shows how peer acceptance and family support are vital to social status and mental well being.

Quotes from Off Centre
" Everything is so void " Act 2, Scene 3 pg 63

"They are jealous... because I am special." Act 2, Scene 2 pg 55

"The voices, the so-called voices?" Act 1, Scene 2 pg 15

"I am strong. Nothing can...destroy me" Act 2, Scene 2 pg 58

"Then why you want to control me?" Act 5, Scene 3, pg 129