uwc 2101c: paper 3 presentation€¦ · presentation group 2 elson ng . topic •monuments and...
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UWC 2101C: Paper 3 Presentation Group 2
Elson Ng
Topic
• Monuments and National Identity
• Historical Authenticity
Primary Text
Secondary Texts
• The Rise of Merlion: Monument and Myth in the Making of the Singapore Story- Yeoh B & Chang T C
• Signs of the Land: Rethinking the Merlion in Tourism and Nationalism- Lin W
• The Commercialisation of Creativity in the Merlion State- Valles E T
• Co-produced Histories: Mapping the Uses and Narratives of History in the Tourist Age – Glover N
• Representing the Indonesian Past: The National Monument History Museum from Guided Democracy to the New Order- McGregor K E)
Working Motive
• Despite its weak historical connection to Singapore history, why does the Merlion continue be an important part of Singapore’s national identity?
Working Thesis
• “The Merlion is still seen as an essential part of Singapore’s national identity because it is able to appeal to Singaporeans on a personal level.”
Argument: Allusion to historical depth
• Focus on precolonial history is a “deliberate attempt to detach the icon from Singapore’s present modernity and British colonialism” (Lin)
• Compare with Indonesia’s Museum Monas and it’s focus on the golden age which “served to give…an appearance of great depth and age” (McGregor)
Argument: Possesses historical depth • Alternatively, “Singapore’s relatively short history has
not yielded any more significant or enduring icon” (Valles)
• “Enduring presence in the heart of the city that is always changing” – (Heng, qtd Yeoh & Chang)
Possible Considerations
• Historical depth is intended by government so why does it appeal to Singaporeans?
• Measured against other organically evolved monuments, the Merlion “fails to evoke the same sense of historical depth and cultural creativity” (Yeoh & Chang)
Argument: Universal Appeal
• “Ethnically neutral emblem” – historical allusion does not leave out any race (Yeoh & Chang)
• “Common, unifying denominator” (Glover)
• “Neutrally anchor citizens” to Singapore (Lin)
Argument: Distinguishes Singaporeans and Others
• “Enables a particular type of self to be articulated and publicly recognised and is, therefore, a powerful force in the construction, promotion and maintenance of a national identity” (Palmer qtd Lin)
Possible Considerations
• Dual role of Merlion causes “conflict in the co-production of the narratives of history in the tourism context” (Glover)
• Merlion’s “entrenched status as a tourist attraction works against its role as a national symbol”. (Yeoh & Chang)
• Idea of Merlion conceived by foreigner (Valles)
Argument: Time factor
• Even “pseudo-events” take on a veneer of authenticity and permanence (Yeoh & Chang)
• “Work of time and place” leads to “accretion of multiple layers of meaning” (Yeoh & Chang)
• People look beyond the falseness of history
• Example of many false monument
• Create their own symbolism
Problems & Q&A
• Evidence for motive: How to show Merlion has weak historical connection to Singapore
• Thesis: How to show it appeals on a personal level
• How to work in “Idea of Merlion conceived by foreigner (Valles)”
• Not enough content?
• Motive: Does the Merlion’s inauthenticity diminish its role in the construction of a national identity
• Thesis: The Merlion’s inauthenticity reinforces national identity through the creation of historical depth and espousing the adoption of unique, common values
• 1) Selective omission of colonial past
• Creates illusion of historical depth and greatness
• Break from colonial past to create distinct identity
• Focus on Asian values
• Ethnically neutral
• 2)