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“Family Supports Family “

With close reference to the text, how far is this true of the novel you have studied.

The novel that I have studied is Sing to the Dawn by Minfong Ho. The story is about
a young Thai girl called Dawan who wins a scholarship to study in a City school. However,
she faces the disapproval of her father who thinks that studying is not for girls. Based on the
novel, there is no doubt that Dawan is surrounded by her family who has supported her in
braving the challenges to continue her studies in the City.

First and foremost, Dawan’s grandmother is always there to encourage and support
her. For instance, when Dawan tells her family that she won the scholarship, her grandmother
is the only one feels happy for her and says that she is proud of her. Next, she is the first to
help Dawan. She decides immediately to go to Noi’s house with Dawan to find out if the City
is a good place for girls to study. She is sure that Noi would convince Dawan’s father to let
her go as she likes the City. Actually, Noi and Ghan hate it after suffering the injustices there.
Then, when Dawan and Kwai have to see their father, she gives Dawan confidence and tells
her to face him bravely. She explains that her father is quiet and gentle. This shows that the
grandmother is being supportive of her grandchild, Dawan to further her studies.

Secondly, Kwai also being supportive towards Dawan although initially he was
unhappy that Dawan wins the scholarship. For example, he tells his father that he kept the
fact that he is second in the exam because Dawan wants to continue studying and it is not his
right to grab her chance. Next, he tells his father that he refuses to go even if he orders him to
study in the City in place of Dawan. Then, he speaks up for his sister. He tells his father that
he has no right to forbid Dawan from studying as she is the best student in the village and she
is the one who won the scholarship. He fights for his sister’s right to study in the City. He
defies his father and insists that he will not go if he does not let Dawan go, so Tacchit, who is
third, will get to go instead. However, his father is angry and thinks that Kwai is giving up his
chance for Takchit to go. Kwai explains that he does not spite his father and also Dawan
should not give up her chance for him. It clearly shows that Kwai who is being supportive
after realising that he was being unfair to his sister.

Last but not least, Dawan’s mother also shows her support towards Dawan though she
told Dawan that her opinions do not matter. However, when they went to see Noi and Ghan,
she tells them that the scholarship is special and Dawan will learn a lot in the City. She tries
to get a fair and rational answer about studying in the City for Dawan but they do not say
anything relevant to support her. Then, when Noi tells Dawan to study in the village,
Dawan’s mother demands to know why she went to work in the City if it is bad and also
when there is plenty of work in the village. After that, she finally asks Noi if she would help
convince Dawan’s father to let her go to the City to study but Noi refuses. She says that going
to the City will do Dawan more harm than good. This clearly shows that the mother supports
Dawan indirectly although she has to obey her husband.

As a conclusion, family support is important for one to have a brighter future. This is
evidently portrayed through the characters of grandmother, Kwai and mother who helped
Dawan to pursue her studies.

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