Drive – Analysis

1. Drive – Analysis Kendrick Loo Lee Kun Siang Norman See Jeremy Yap

2. Contents

3. “Drive” - What exactly does it mean? • The story revolves around cars, racing, and henceforth, the name “Drive”. • This story could very well be from a personal experience, as these cases are common in Singapore, and can commonly be found in newspapers.

4. “Drive” - What exactly does it mean? • From another point of view, “Drive” could actually mean a driving factor or force, in this case the fact that the main character wants to beat another car in a race and also that the main character wants to get “revenge” on the RX7 driver for having scratched his car.

5. Driver (Main Character) • Rash. When wronged by a gangster, he confronted him without thinking of the consequences (getting beaten with a crowbar) • Rude and impolite • Easily affected – he was upset by the RX-7 driver’s actions and dwelled on it for a few days • Competitive – race each other, wanting to outdo the other person Characters Driver (Main Character) Lizzie (Driver’s girlfriend) Ken RX7 Driver

6. Driver (Main Character) • Does not believe that gangsters do exist in Singapore, until he meets one later on – “This is Singapore…not some gangster town” Characters Driver (Main Character) Lizzie (Driver’s girlfriend) Ken RX7 Driver

7. Lizzie • Cautious • Tries to avoid getting into trouble as she does not see the need to do so • “I Just don’t want you to play macho with these kind of people. They have different values, they’re from a different world.” • “Two groups eating fish-head curry. One complained…too loudly for the other and they fought. One man killed with a knife.” Characters Driver (Main Character) Lizzie (Driver’s girlfriend) Ken RX7 Driver

8. Ken • Neat and Tidy • Does not feel the need to get into trouble with other people, especially gangsters. He “drove off…[and said] there was no point in getting involved with that kind of person” • Same thoughts as Lizzie, that having no trouble is better Characters Driver (Main Character) Lizzie (Driver’s girlfriend) Ken RX7 Driver

9. RX7 Driver • Typical gangster who goes around causing and looking for trouble. This is shown when he “rapped on Ken’s window…knocked hard on the back windshield” • Probably part of a gang • Does not have much education – the educated people would be able to steer away from trouble • Uncouth, “various obscenities in dialect” • Violent, “short, thick crowbar in [his] right hand” Characters Driver (Main Character) Lizzie (Driver’s girlfriend) Ken RX7 Driver

10. Themes Social Class in Singapore • Social Class is defined as a hierarchical arrangement of people in society. • A person’s rank within society is more often than not judged by his economic status, wealth, race or religion. • Social Class is existent within nearly all societies.

11. In this case, the main character, Lizzie, Ken, and Mei Ling all belong into the category of “Middle Class”, as they are educated and have jobs, and they can afford cars. • However, the RX-7 driver belongs in the “Lower Middle Class”. Despite the fact that he can afford an RX-7, his behaviour and actions of using a weapon to inflict bodily harm on someone, and the fact that he is a gangster, push him down into this category. Themes Social Class in Singapore • Social Class is defined as a hierarchical arrangement of people in society. • A person’s rank within society is more often than not judged by his economic status, wealth, education, race or religion. • Social Class is existent within nearly all societies.

12. Materialism • There are many examples of Materialism shown is this story, a few of them being: • “Rolex watch…thick gold chain” – This shows how important monetary wealth is to many people. To them, their wealth will determine their status within society. • “[You] finally [removed] the plastic seat covering” and “Know how to scratch cars only, right? You stupid bastard.” – This shows how much people care for their property (the car) and do not want anyone dirtying it/defacing it. Themes Materialism • Materialism is defined as a how a person chooses to spend his resources, such as time and money.

13. The story starts off with the few friends meeting at a coffee-shop eating local food, thus setting the scene. It also helps to outline the theme of the story, about Social Class in Singapore. • There is the mention of names of roads in Singapore, emphasizing on the fact that this story is based in Singapore. Setting The setting of a story helps to outline the general theme. It may even be an important symbol or help develop symbolism.

14. The author, Simon Tay, chooses to include well-known terms / acronyms in this story, such as CTE, RX7, so as to be able to connect with the reader, or give the reader something he can easily associate with. • He does use a little Singlish in his story to give a more “Singaporean” feel to the story. Language / Choice of Words The language shows the writer’s style of expression, and his feelings towards that particular topic.

15. Thank You