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Unveiling Intention through Salad Seduction in Heng Siok Tian’s A
Choice of Two Salads
A Literary Analysis
Presented to the Faculty of General Education
Chemical Engineering Department
Batangas State University-The National Engineering University
In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for
Litr 102- ASEAN Literature Course
Prepared by:
Prepared to:
Mr. Joseph Renel M. Suarez, LPT
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
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BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
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Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@[Link] | Website Address: [Link]
General Education Department
A Literary Analysis in A Choice of Two Salads by Heng Siok Tian
Love influences an individual's thoughts, emotions, and actions in unpredictable and
sometimes unexpected ways. It is a potent and intricate emotion that can motivate people to go to
great lengths, take risks, and make decisions they would not ordinarily make. This resonated within Commented [J1]: Introduction
the captivating world of the literary piece titled “A Choice of Two Salads” which was crafted by
the prominent poet and Singaporean author, Heng Siok Tian, whose writing exhibits a desire to
explore the depths of human experiences with a delicate balance of etiquette, as noted by literary
critic Edwin Thumboo as cited by Chua. This tells the story of how Martin, an elderly, solitary Commented [J2]: Background information about the
literary piece and the author.
expatriate, considers Cherry, a potential partner and is keen to marry her due to her untainted
If the author is unkown, leave it blank.
nature, intelligence, and dependability. On the other hand, Cherry is a young woman from a foster
home who is initially perplexed and hesitant about dating Martin until her guardian Aunt Lee
approves of her marriage to him. "A Choice of Two Salads" by Heng Siok Tian proves that Commented [J3]: Overview of the literary piece.
family approval and choices, internal thoughts and desires, and the power of genuine
connection of the main characters affect one’s perception and ideals regarding life choices
and deciding who to marry in a meaningful relationship. Commented [J4]: Thesis statement
Family approval and choices highly affect one’s perception and ideals regarding life
choices and deciding who to marry in a particular person. Support from loved ones is crucial Commented [J5]: 1st point
for a successful marriage, as it contributes to satisfaction and ensures that the chosen partner's
family approves of the marriage, leading to a successful life together. In the literary piece, there
are factors presented that affect and contribute to Cherry's perception of marrying Martin. As stated
in the short story:
Aunt Lee gave her blessing on condition that Cherry go on to complete her
University degree while she was married to Martin (par. 10).
For Aunt Lee had approved of him when she had met him as the new expatriate in
the office where she was one of the secretaries and where Cherry was a part-time
front-door receptionist (par. 13).
The following statements show that one of Cherry's decisions to marry Martin is driven by
the approval of her Aunt Lee who served as her guardian. Cherry may feel the need to conform to
societal norms and expectations, having and desiring a partner who meets the standards of those
people around her. The influence of familial and societal expectations on romantic relationships
and partner selection was highlighted and given focus both by the author and the reader.
Aunt Lee's opinion holds significant weight in the decision-making process of Cherry. She
gives value to her aunt’s guidance and judgment. This proves that Cherry's commitment to Martin
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and marrying him is not solely based on personal choice and feelings but also takes into account
the desires and expectations of her family. The future of a couple's marriage is determined by their
parents' opinions about their prospective spouse before the wedding. For instance, Bryant, Conger,
and Meehan discovered that adult children's perceptions of their parents' premarital attitudes about
marriage reliably predict the couple's postmarital satisfaction.
Throughout the short story, the author effectively illustrates how Martin's internal
thoughts and desires shape his perceptions and ideals about life choices and the decision of
whom to marry in a meaningful relationship. This was shown as Martin's desire to marry Cherry Commented [J6]: 2nd point
was based on her qualities and/or lust. The choice of a partner is one of the most important
decisions that most people make. Marriage has long been associated with love and affection, as a
timeless institution.
Dressed in a casual smart white tee, trendy and body-fitting, as well as her signature
pair of Levi's jeans, Cherry looked like a pin-up model when she stood at his
threshold of the door. His first instinct was to hold her by her slim waist and lift up
her nubile body just to gauge how much effort he would need if he wanted to hold
her up (par. 6).
He offered her a glass of apple juice as she declined any alcoholic drinks, although
he joked that she should start learning to take them (par. 7).
Every of her movement sent some thrill rippling through him. He had to focus very
hard on getting the right ingredients in at the right time. He could feel the heat close
by. He was psyching himself not to do anything that might blow the evening away
(paragraph 8).
On their honeymoon in Bali, Cherry was the perfect Asian bride that Martin had
always fantasized about - sweet and petite, intelligible and intelligent English,
accommodating, unbrash, a virgin (par. 11).
These scenes demonstrate Martin's strong feelings for Cherry, who is the ideal bride he has
always fantasized about. Martin is drawn to Cherry because of her qualities. Martin restrains
himself from acting rashly and jeopardizing his relationship with Cherry. This demonstrates that
Martin's devotion to Cherry is primarily motivated by his attraction to her, which stems from the
lust or desires he has for her.
However, the idea that love is the only foundation for a marriage is not always correct. The
concept of marrying for essential qualities and lust is intriguing because it implies that people
prioritize character traits and core values over other factors. According to Freud, human behavior
is largely motivated by unconscious desires and conflicts, particularly related to sexual and
aggressive urges. Martin's strong feelings and fantasies about Cherry could be interpreted as
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manifestations of his unconscious desires, such as sexual attraction (lust) and a need for intimacy.
His restraint may stem from a fear of rejection or guilt associated with these desires.
This story also shows that there are no similarities between the couple when it comes
to their upbringings, cultural references, and social backgrounds as this was bound by the
true power of genuine connection. The process of finding a lifelong partner is profoundly Commented [J7]: 3rd point
personal and transformative for many people. Discovering your true self, sharing your values, and
connecting deeply are all part of finding the partner of your life.
Regardless of age, status, sex, color, etc., finding someone you want to marry requires a
delicate balance between self-discovery, shared values, and genuine connection. Although not
mentioned, the story implied that Martin and Cherry were a couple with a significant difference
between their ages. The claims were supported in the lines below:
Martin, full-blooded male that he was, made no bones about his attraction to
Cherry, who took all his advances in her own stride, although she was confused and
nervous about the whole dating game with a much older, single expatriate who had
no lack of willing coquettes or sarong party girls throwing themselves at him (par.
1).
On their honeymoon in Bali, Cherry was the perfect Asian bride that Martin had
always fantasized about - sweet and petite, intelligible and intelligent English,
accommodating, unbrash, a virgin. As a couple, they made heads turn because she
carried herself so well next to his middle-age bulges (par. 11).
Martin and Cherry's age differences were evident in their relationship, with some arguing
that love is timeless and others concerned about power imbalances or societal expectations. Martin
portrayed Cherry as childlike, untainted, and trusting, while Cherry was nervous and confused
about dating him. This could lead to misunderstandings and conflicts due to discrepancies in
expectations. Despite these differences, Martin prioritized the relationship, viewing Cherry as
docile and attractive, ensuring it was not jeopardized. His first instinct was to hold her by her slim
waist and lift up her nubile body just to gauge how much effort he would need if he wanted to hold
her up. Fortunately, he had just enough wits about him at that point to control himself and
welcomed her with the demeanor of a well-bred rascal (par. 6).
He offered her a glass of apple juice as she declined any alcoholic drinks, although
he joked that she should start learning to take them (par. 7).
Every of her movement sent some thrill rippling through him. He had to focus very
hard on getting the right ingredients in at the right time. He could feel the heat close
by. He was psyching himself not to do anything that might blow the evening away.
Cherry in her freshness did not help when she hovered close and watched him
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Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
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watched the grill, brushing by him ever so softly when she turned here or there (p.
8).
On their honeymoon in Bali, Cherry was the perfect Asian bride that Martin had
always fantasized about - sweet and petite, intelligible and intelligent English,
accommodating, unbrash, a virgin (par. 11).
The lines above show the strong desire Martin has for Cherry. Since Cherry displayed
child-like attributes, it was baffling to think about Martin's strange sexual urges for the woman.
Throughout the whole story, Martin’s desire and lust for the younger was evident. The story
touches on the contrast between Martin’s romanticized fantasies and the reality of his relationship
with Cherry. Despite their idyllic honeymoon and initial infatuation, Martin begins to realize that
his pursuit of exotic experiences and avoidance of engagement were not as fulfilling as he had
hoped.
The title “A Choice of Two Salads” depicts the presence of options and the power of
choice. The salads become a metaphorical fork in the road, representing the pivotal moment of
decision-making. It encourages readers to reflect on their own choices, the values they hold, and
the impact of these choices on their personal growth and sense of self. The story highlights
Martin’s introspection and his realization that his pursuit of adventure and escape from
commitment had not necessarily led him to true happiness. His thoughts and reflections reveal a
sense of resignation and acceptance as he contemplates his chosen path in life. Overall, the story
delves into the complexities of attraction, the pursuit of love, and the disconnect between
expectations and reality in relationships. This story explores the connection between seduction,
commitment, and the transformative power of genuine connection. Commented [J8]: Conclusion
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The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
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General Education Department
Works Cited
Bryant, Chalandra M., Conger, Rand D., and Meehan, Jennifer M. The Influence of In-Laws on
Change in Marital Success." ResearchGate, Oct. 2006,
[Link]
Laws_on_Change_in_Marital_Success.
Chua, Jasper. "Edwin Thumboo on Heng Siok Tian's Exploration of Human Experiences."
Singapore Literary Review, vol. 15, no. 3, 2018, pp. 45-58.
"Freudian Theory." Verywell Mind, Dotdash Meredith, [Link]/freudian-theory-
2795845.
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
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BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@[Link] | Website Address: [Link]
General Education Department
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Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
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BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
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