Everything Arranged

Authors Background
Siew-Yue Killingley was born in 1940 in Kuala Lumpur a Cantonese-speaking family, moved to England in 1968. Her work as a teacher began in 1961, when she taught in schools while still a student at the University of Malaya. After graduating she taught English language, literature, phonetics, and linguistics at the University of Malaya, and then taught English and other subjects at St. Johns Institution, Kuala Lumpur, and La Salle School, Petaling Jaya.

Summary
`Everything's Arranged' by Siew Yue Killingley, is about arranged marriages practised by the Indian communities.Thestory is centered around Rukumani, a young maiden from the Ceylonese Tamil community whose family has settled in Malaya.Arranged marriages are highly considered and respected by the Indian and Ceylonese families. It is considered as a dignity and a symbol of family honour. In actual fact Rukumani's parents and Devanayagam's parents are arranging a marriage for them. But Ruku and Deva did not know who is going to be his or her life partner. This is the irony of the whole situation. Rukumani, thinking that she is going to be married to a stranger quickly tells her parents about her lover Devanayagam. Her parents were shocked about their daughter's 'disgraceful act'- to fall in love with someone she likes. Rukumani thought that her parents would be pleased with her for choosing a Ceylonese Tamil and not a Chinese for a life partner. But to her great disappointment neither her side nor Devanayagam's people agreed for the marriage.

Literary devivices

Language and style

Theme
The theme of the story is arranged marriage and how important it is to obey your elders. Arranged marriages are a tradition that is highly sacred and it would bring disasters if you try to break the arranged marriage. Arranged marriages also show the familys dignity. It is important that youngsters obey their elders as youngsters do not have much experience in life for them to handle their lives on their own.

Characters
Rukumani Devanayagam Mr. and Mrs Sambathan Ammy Nadarajah Johnny Suheela

Plot
exposition - on the last day of term in college where Rukumani and Devanayagam spend their last moments together before they head off to their respective hometowns. inciting - Rukumani face a lot of things when she is at home. She cannot write letters to Devanayagam as she is afraid that her family might find out. She also faces trouble when her friend Johnny comes to the house to pay her a visit. Her parents strictly think that a girl and a boy could not be just friends. climax - Rukumani confessed to her family that she is in love with Devanayagam. resolved - the cancellation of the arranged marriage between the two of them as they had brought big shame to the two families.