THE CURSE BY LEE SU ANN

A CHARACTER THAT INFLUENCES OTHERS IN A NEGATIVE WAY

The novel that I have chosen is The Curse by Lee Su Ann. In this novel there are a
few strong characters. Among these characters, the character that I think has strongly
influenced the others in a negative way is Puan Normala.
Puan Normala, one of the villagers, is described by Siti as a slimy cobra with a three-
forked tongue. Nobody likes the gossips that she spreads. Branded as a rumour-monger, I
find that she easily influences the narrow minded people of her village. As a news
broadcaster of the village, everything that happens there does not escape her eyes and
ears. Immediately, it becomes a topic for her to talk about. Her idle talks are capable of
ruining the reputations of the person concern. Most of the villagers, who fail to think
rationally, are easily influenced by her tales which causes a negative impact on the village.
After Madhuris body is recovered, she talks about Madhuris death so frequently that
her daughter carries the gossips to school too. She tells her classmates that Madhuri is
murdered. In another incident, she also talks about Madhuris marriage to Haji Ghani, the
village headman and how their young, handsome teacher is affected by it. This is a strong
negative influence that Noor has acquired from Puan Normala as it is bad for Noor to talk
about matters that are not related to her.
The next incident is when Puan Normala admits that she has seen Madhuris dead
body and that her body was bleeding white blood. Being superstitious, she spreads the
rumour that the village is cursed with Madhuris death. She states that since the village is
cursed, many bad things will happen and the village will soon experience disaster. She waves
the villagers hearts and spoils the harmony of the village. This is a clear evident that shows
how influent she can be in a negative way.
In another incident where we can witness her negative influence on the villagers is
when she blames the old ladys visit to Asrafs house as the reason for the continuous rain.
Furthermore, she is also a mean and malicious person. For example, her influence on the
villagers caused them to provoke Mohd Asraf to confront the old lady by accusing the old
lady as the reason why Asrafs grandmothers dies. Because of that instigation, Asrafs anger
is the main cause for the fire that causes the old lady to die.
Apart from the above evident, there are many other incidents where she tries to
influence the others such as her own daughter and also Siti, her neighbours daughter. Noor,
her daughter is exactly like her and can be branded Like mother like daughter. In her class,
she plays the role that she inherited from her mother. This is a very clear evident that shows
Puan Normalas negative influence on her daughter.
In conclusion, based on the above reasons and evident, I find that Puan Normala is the
one and only character that can influence the others in the negative way. We should not be
like Puan Normala as what we may say, may harm others. Therefore it is necessary for us to
stay wise to create a more peaceful world.

A DECISION MADE BY A CHARACTER: WAS IT RIGHT OR WRONG?

The novel that I have read is The Curse by Lee Su Ann. In this novel I find that
Azreen has made a few difficult decisions. One of the decisions is when she took the
blame for leaving Mr. Mohans farm gate open which caused the bull to escape.
During the school days, Azreen was a good friend of Asraf and she also had a crush
on him. Asraf worked part time on Mr. Mohans farm. One evening, when Azreen went to
visit Asraf on the farm, there was a commotion. As Azreen approached the group, she was
shocked to hear Mr. Mohan and his sons, threatening Asraf. Asraf was being blamed for
leaving the farm gate open and letting the bull from the farm. At that very moment,
Azreens instinct told her to protect the person she loves. She made a difficult decision by
taking up the blame for leaving the gate open. She boldly told off Mr. Mohan and his sons
that they should not make accusations without looking into the matter first. In general, it is
not easy to take a blame for something that one has not done. It takes a lot of guts and I find
that Azreen has that quality.
However, was her decision right? I feel that the decision to take up the blame was
wrong. A friend in need is a friend indeed but not in this situation. Helping a friend does
not mean that one should take up the blame for someone elses wrong doings just to protect
the friend from being punish. In this case, I feel Azreen took the blame just to prove to
Asraf her feelings for him. But was that appropriate? If Asraf was innocent, then he should
have voiced out and stopped Azreen from taking the blame. Furthermore, Azreen should
have requested Mr. Mohan to investigate the situation first and that would have been a better
decision.
Moverover, it was the wrong decision because the escaped bull also cost her mother
to lose the ability to walk. Since Azreen took the blame for the bulls escape, she was
indirectly responsible for the accident. The bull had crashed into her fathers motorcycle
causing her mother to lose the use of her leg. From that day onwards her father was cold and
distant with her as he was furious that it was really her fault that the bull escaped. I find that
the decision that she made was her biggest mistake as she did not win Asrafs heart after all
but her relationship with her father went from bad to worse. They became estranged until
the end.
Based on the above reasoning, I find that making a decision to help someone in need
is a right move but saving someone who may be in wrong or guilty is not a good
decision. In this situation, I feel that the decision Azreen made was definitely wrong as it
cost her to lose her parents trust and love.

INTERESTING EVENT AND LESSONS LEARNT

Based on the novel that you have read, write about an interesting event and the lessons
that you have learnt. Give reasons to support your answer.

The novel that I have read is The Curse by Lee Su Ann. In this novel the interesting
event that I find teaches me numerous lessons is the outbreak of the fire which results in the
Old Ladys death.
When the neighbours visit Asraf, when Asrafs grandmother has passed away
suddenly, they convince him that the Old Lady had poisoned her. Fuelled with anger and
loss, he and the mob of people go over to the Old Ladys place with lit torches. Azreen tries
to stop him but his torch falls and sets the house on fire. Azreen runs inside to try to save the
Old Lady who is trapped under a pillar. Her last words to Azreen are just to learn to forgive.
Then Azreen is pulled away by her father before the house collapses. This event creates a
domino effect on a number of other events which in turn helps Azreen to finally solve the
mystery behind her sisters murder. She finds out that Asrat and Madhuri who is not her
biological sister, had been lovers. The final clue was that her father kills Madhuri upon
discovering about their affair and plans to elope.
The most important lesson I learnt from this event is not to be prejudiced so much as
to cause the death of innocent people. The Old Lady was cast out from the village after the
villagers found out that she had killed her husband. They are so prejudiced that they cannot
see her kindness and good heart. Secondly, we should not let superstition influence us to the
point of being irrational. We see how easily the villagers commit a crime because they are
willing to do anything, including planning an attack on the innocent and harmless Old Lady
just because of superstition. Under the instigation of Puan Normala, the villagers are
convinced to believe that the Old Lady possesses a special power to turn people into rats and
squirrels, so the latter is accused to be an evil witch who brings all the misfortunes and had
omen to the village. In fact, when the rain continues to pour for more than four days, causing
the town to be flooded, the Old Lady is blamed to have put the curse on the village.
From this event, we can see how gullible the villagers are to believe the vicious
rumours spread by the village gossip, Puan Normala. She does not seem to care about the
destruction she causes. Her irrational behaviour thus destroys the reputation of the victims
such as the Old Lady even in the eyes of children. Thus just as it is important not to spread
rumours that can harm others, we should not listen and be influenced by vicious gossip and
superstition.
Finally, I learnt the meaning of love and forgiveness from the Old Ladys actions. In
this event, we see the purity of the Old Ladys heart. Despite being ostracized by the
villagers, the Old Lady bears no grudges against them and is still willing to help people like
Asrafs Nek. More importantly, at the point of her death before the burning house collapses
on her, she reminds Azreen to forgive all the villagers who have wronged her. Azreen
follows her advice and forgives her father and Asraf when she finally finds out the truth
about Madhuri and her death.
Based on the above textual evidence, I definitely find that this tragic event is
interesting as it is a link to the mystery behind Mahduris death. The lessons that are learnt
from this event are very meaningful and can guide us to a better future as well as
strengthening our relationship with people we know and care for.

A CHARACTER WHO TOUCHES YOUR HEART

Based on the novel that you have read, write about one character that touches your
heart. Give reasons to support your answer.

The novel that I have chosen is The Curse by Lee Su Ann. In this novel there are a
few characters that are admirable. However I find that Azreen is an admirable character who
touches my heart. She portrays remarkable courage and open-heartedness when she realises
that her close friend Asraf has been in love with her dead sister instead of her.
She returns from London for her elder sisters funeral. However, she cannot accept
that Madhuri has died of natural causes she thinks she was murdered and wants to find the
truth. We see that Azreen did not have a happy childhood but is a filial daughter. She is
caned often by her father as a child but still remains obedient and loyal to him, even though
she is an adult now. Described as aggressive, self-opinionated, spiteful, hot-tempered and
ganas by others, her real strength of character is revealed when she finds herself let down
by both her father and Asraf. Furthermore, she goes against the other villagers to befriend the
Old Lady who has been ostracized by the villagers. It is the Old Lady who advises her to
forgive and forget.
Azreen is determined to find the truth behind Madhuris death. Finally, when she
finds out that it was her father who had killed her, she does not feel anger or resentment
towards him. She only feels lost and betrayed. She shows that she is a kind, caring, loving
and filial daughter when she forgives him. Her open-heartedness here touches my heart. She
also shows open-heartedness and magnanimity when she accepts Asrafs confession of love
for her sister, though she is shocked and hurt. She finds out more truths Madhuri was not
her real sister but had been adopted when her mother had gone mad.
Her father Salleh had seen Madhuri with a man (Asraf) who was not her husband and
had killed her in anger. Azreen realises that Saleh was the killer after he saves her from
Madhuri s vengeful mother and she sees the latex on his parang.
She has to be commended for her sacrifice and readiness to forgive all those who hurt
and disappoint her finally. Her capacity for love and forgiveness for her fathers and Asrafs
actions is what touches my heart in this novel.

WRITE ON A CHARACTER WHOM I THINK IS EXEMPLARY

Based on the novel The Curse by Lee Sue Ann, the character that I
consider exemplary is Azreen because she is courageous and brave. She shows resilience and
she always fight for what she believes in.
Firstly, the reason I think that she is exemplary because I find that Azreen who does
not believe the villagers tales about The Old Lady is being brave by accepting her friends
challenge to firstly knocking on the door of The Old lady and then meet her in person. .
Subsequently, she befriends The Old Lady and makes her, her precious confidante and
counsellor.
In addition, Azreen as an exemplary is courageous by confronting Puan Normalas
mob outside Mohd Asrafs house when Nek once again has fallen ill but dies, in order to
stop the Old Lady from entering Neks house. Although she is outnumbered, she dares to face
Puan Normalas horde to protect Neks house from them. Moreover, she confronts a group
of men led by Asraf who goes to the Old ladys house to seek revenge after Nek dies as they
believe the Old lady has poisoned Nek.
It is a dog-eat-dog world out there so we must be brave and courageous to overcome
our daily obstacles and stand for our own rights. We should not be intimidated by our fear
and we must be like Azreen, my exemplary from the novel, in order to survive in this world.
The second exemplary quality of Azreen is that she portrays resilience throughout
the story and she constantly fights for what she believes in. This can be seen when Azreen
does not give up and is determined and resilient to seek the truth of Madhuris death even
though others do not want to tell her the truth. She asks Asraf and The Old Lady about
Madhuris death and slowly gathers evidences. Finally she knows the truth about Madhuris
death.
In her village, a woman should be conservative and well mannered but Azreen is a
contrast to that and thus she is hated but she ignores the villagers perception of her, as she
believes that women have their own rights. This can be seen as she befriends Asraf and joins
the boys hockey team and similarly makes The Old Lady her best friend. These are the
qualities that have attracted me to Azreen and I definitely will make her my exemplary.
In this cruel world, we must stand for our own right and fight for what we believe in.
We must follow Azreens resilience to make this world a better place. Therefore based on all
the above reasons and evidence, my choice, Azreen makes the best exemplary.

BASED ON THE NOVEL THAT YOU HAVE READ, DO YOU LIKE THE STORY?

The novel that I have read is The Curse by Lee Su Ann. I find the story The Curse
very enjoyable. The plot is exciting and full of suspense. I also find the characters
interesting as they are portrayed with their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, there are
good lessons we can learn from the many things that happen in The Curse.
The plot of the story grabs my attention from the very beginning. It begins with
Azreens return home for the funeral of her sister, Madhuri. The cause of Madhuris
death is a mystery. This creates suspense and as the plot develops, we hear that it is
murder. Azreens confusion becomes the readers confusion. Lee Su Ann keeps the
identity of the murderer a mystery until the very end of the story.Fatihah, Asraf, Haji
Ghani also seem suspicious and when we find out it is Madhuris father who is the
culprit, we are taken by surprise by the twist. The exciting plot therefore keeps readers
involved from start to finish.
The characters in The Curse are also interesting people. The writer has presented
them so vividly that we either like or dislike them. The likeable people are Azreen, Siti,
Puan Kamisah, Datin Sharifah and Datuk Zulkifli, the Old Lady and of course Mahduri.
In sharp contrast Fatihah, Normala and to an extent Bomoh Awang, are characters that
we are wary of. The writer uses apt metaphors like the leaky-mouthed
neighbour and slimy cobra with a three-forked tongue to describe therumour-
monger Normala. Such metaphors give us a vivid image of the despicable Normala.
The varied characters in the story add flavour and interest to The Curse.
There are many lessons we can learn from The Curse. We can learn from Azreen, a
young girl who copes with serious problems in a mature way. Despite feeling that she
always fails to measure up to her elder sister Madhuris perfection, she finds her own
way to cope and largely remains true to herself. She shows patience and eventually
forgiveness for father who treated her unfairly. In the end, she only feels pity for him.
Based on the above reasons and evidence, I like reading The Curse because the plot
is captivating, the characters interesting and because of the good values it teaches.

UNFORGETABLE OR MEMORABLE

In the novel The Curse by Lee Su Ann, an unforgettable event is when Puan Fatihah
fainted out of shock when she sees a silhouette of a Pontianak that looks like Madhuri
appearing from behind a pile of tree trunks.
Firstly, this is an unforgettable event because it makes me sympathise Puan Fatihah. I
find it sad that Puan Fatihah is a victim of her own belief in the supernatural. Prior to the
encounter with the Pontianak, she has gone to seek out the bomoh to get a charm to win back
her husbands affections. She is superstitious enough to resort to such a desperate act. It is her
superstition that makes her believe what she sees as a ghost and that is why she faints from
utter shock. What is so ironic is that she has thrown away the first charm which is a small
piece of paper with written incantation into the river. The result is her husband has taken the
younger woman, Madhuri as his second wife and she has only herself to blame. Now that his
younger wife is dead, she must win back her husbands affections with the help of Awang,
the bomoh.
Secondly, I feel sorry for Puan Fatihah because she is so pathetic. She cannot bear her
husband a child and always feels insecure as she has no power to keep him all to herself. I
can understand her pain of insecurity as she looks at the mirror each day and sees her aging
face. She is haunted by the deepening lines, the crows feet, the sagging skin and double
chin. Which man can still stay in love with a face like that? Her insensitive husband has
spurned her and laughs at her insecurities. Her declining beauty has caused her to feel envy
towards Madhuri and to be angry at her husband. This is really pathetic.
Thirdly, I find this incident memorable / unforgettable because it reminds me of how
fragile a woman can be. Puan Fatihah has tried to be strong and put up a great pretence of
liking the second wife, Madhuri. She has actually succeeded in deceiving everyone in the
village and even Madhuri herself. Madhuri, in her last letter to Azreen has told her sister that
Puan Fatihah is such a kind and understanding lady whom she looks up to as an elder sister.
Madhuri sees her as such a dear sweet woman and is not sure whether she can emulate her
goodness as a person and a wife. Poor Fatihah! She has suppressed her emotions and has to
endure the fights she and her husband have been having lately over trivial matters. She cannot
get his attention when Madhuri was alive and she still cannot get his attention after she was
dead. She was so emotionally fragile that it was not surprising she fainted when she came
face to face with a ghostly figure who has reached out her hands to touch her.
I would not forget this incident as it has taught me not to believe in superstitions nor
resort to solving problems by using supernatural methods. All of us have problems and we
must not let them overwhelm us.

THE CURSE ~ CHARACTER I LIKE

The novel that I have read is The Curse by Lee Su Ann. In this novel there are a few
admirable characters that I like. Among these characters, the character that I like the best is
the Old Lady of the forest. There are a few reasons why I like her.
The first reason why I like the Old Lady is because she is an educated person who has a
rich knowledge of herbal medicine. She is willing to help to cure Asrafs grandmother
despite being outcast by the people of that village. With her medicine, Asrafs grandmother
got cure but she did not live for long.
The second reason why I like the Old Lady compared to the others is because she has a
pure heart and a clear conscience. Although she is alienated by the villagers, she does not
blame them or complains about her situation. Instead she believes that there is nothing more
liberating than receiving or giving forgiveness so then one is free and can move on.
Lastly, I like her because she is a good person who has empathy for others. When
Azreen comes to her for advice, the Old Lady advises her to be honest and truthful. When
Azreen feels she is being neglected by her parents, distanced and rejected by the villagers, the
Old Lady shows her empathy towards Azreen. She also teaches Azreen the importance of
forgiving and moving on with life.
Based on the above reasons and evidence, the Old Lady is definitely the character that
I like as I find her to be an honest, trustworthy and helpful especially towards the end before
she perishes in the fire.