This is a short recap of the story Pasang by Pretam Kaur:-

Introduction
1. Chranpal begs his mother for money to buy a top but he failed
2. Talks about the village boys; Ramasamy, Kanda and Ali. The way the game is played is futher elaborated

Rising Action
1. Chranpal bought a top after begging his father for money
2. He customises the top (drove a thumb-tack right into the uppermost point of the top)
3. Chranpal joins the village boys to play. After a while, Chranpal's mother called him home but he continued playing.

Climax
Ramasamy aimed and swung his top towards Chranpal's. Chranpal's new top broke.

Falling Action
1. His heart broke when he saw the broken top as the boys praised Ramasamy for his cleverness. Ramasamy apologised to Chranpal.

Resolution
Chranpal walks away in regret, disappoinment and anger that his top is broken. He thinks about how lonely he would be during the long top season without his top.

Theme

Perceptions of children in a multicultural environment

Sub theme

Culture of games; Peer pressure

Settings

Place ► kitchen of Chranpal's house | Malay shop that sells top | on the narrow road

Time ► Hot sunny day | in the 80's

Community ► A multicultural community | A community that stresses on education

Main events

o Chranpal wants to buy a top, mother doesn't allow him

o His father gave him 10 cents to buy a top after he promised to study

o He remodelled and decorated his top

o The intense fight between Chranpal and the boys. He tries to back away, but the others forced him to end his game although his mother called for him

o His top broke into two halves when Rama's top hit Chranpal's

Characteristics

MALAYSIAN SHORT STORY Pictures in My Mind - Pretam Kaur

This is an analysis on the short story by Pretam Kaur, Pictures in My Mind. This story might be confusing for first time readers as it contains snapshots of memories of a girl named Sunita, which revolves mainly around the relationship with her father. Growing up as a Punjabi, "Pictures in My Mind" offers an insight on the culture and life of a Punjabi family in Malaysia back in the times

THEMES

Nostalgic Memories

Sub themes

-          Dramatic emotions

-          Realities in life

-          Sweet touching moments of narrator’s experience

SETTINGS

·         Place

1.      School

2.      Bridge [where the man hung himself]

3.      Drain [man fell down and died]

4.      Durian orchard [the uncle chased her]

5.      House on the hill

6.      The well [construction of well to get water]

7.      Temple [father sang in front of the crowd]

8.      Grave [the family pays respect to the dead Chinese man]

·         Time

1.      From young times till a while back

·         Community

1.      Multi ethnic cultural community

MAIN EVENTS

a.       Young Sunita’s curiosity to the surroundings

b.      Mischievousness at the durian orchard

c.       Recklessness at bridge

d.      Father singing at temple and short prayers during meals

e.       Death of Chinese man, then Indian man

f.       Death of Ram, her brother

g.      Price haggling of cow between father and butcher

h.      Construction of well to provide water supply for the family

i.        Advancement of technology.

j.        Divided community. Father got stuck to join any groups, so he got stuck in the middle

      CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISTICS