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Library's collection Library's IT development CancelThis thesis primarily deals with the conflict between traditional and modern
values as seen in the conflicts between Old Mother and Angela. As described in
Lim?s The Serpent?s Tooth, the early Chinese Singaporean immigrant are those who
strongly cling to their (Chinese) traditional values. On the other hand, their
Singaporean born children, who grew up in Singapore, are the product of a rapid
modernizing and Westernizing environment. There is a tendency that today?s
Chinese Singaporeans embrace the modern (Western) values more than their own
traditional values. As a result, the dichotomy arises and creates conflict between the
two different generations. From Lim?s The Serpent?s Tooth, I want to find out how
four domestic issues have become the source of the conflict between Old Mother and
Angela. In order to conduct the analysis, I use literary approach namely conflict in
order to investigate the conflicting values between Old Mother who represents the
first generation of Chinese Singaporean, and Angela who represents today?s
Singaporean. Meanwhile, characterization is used to analyze the traits of the main
characters which justify their modern and traditional attitude. In order to support the
analysis, I use sociological concept of social change in order to examine the early
Chinese immigrant?s rejection toward modern values. Moreover, the concept is also
used in investigating the ways today?s Chinese Singaporean successfully accept
modern values better than their previous generation. The analysis is divided based on
the four domestic issues; they are: the children?s education, traditional religious
activity, traditional and modern habit, and master-servant?s relationship. In the case
of traditional and modern habit, Angela, as the representation of today?s Chinese
Singaporean is able to understand her mother-in-law?s preference toward the
traditional values. Yet, she persistently thinks the traditional value is not as important
as the modern one. On the contrary, the early Chinese immigrants strongly reject the
modern values. The tension which exists in the middle of their lives is also worsen by
the fact that both of them have chosen in continuing their lives away from each
other?s different values. Finally, I conclude that through minimum efforts and desire
in creating a better relationship, the conflict between traditional and modern values
remains unsolved.