中国移民在新加坡的适应与发展 : 以电视剧《雾锁南洋》为研究对象 = Chinese immigrants’ adaptation and development in Singapore : a case study of drama series The Awakening

Abstract

During the study of Chinese Immigrants, many scholars have relied on existing written sources to research on their migration process, reasons for migration, their identification shift and how they adapt and thrive in their resident country. However, other than written text, visual media can be another alternative medium to understand history. In the 80s and 90s, Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (currently known as Mediacorp) has filmed many Chinese television dramas on the genre of Overseas Chinese, and The Awakening was a classic amongst them. The Awakening was Singapore’s first full-length drama series which consisted of four chapters, chronicling the turmoil that the forefathers from China faced when they were in Singapore and the contributions they have made towards Singapore’s prosperity. This television series had made use of historical knowledge, coupled with an excellent production team and stellar cast, to portray the history of the Chinese in Singapore and the societal developments from the 1920s to post Singapore’s independence period. Therefore, the drama series resonated with the people, receiving much acclaim when it first broadcasted in 1984. This thesis aims to analyze the migration factors and identification shift of the Chinese immigrants in Singapore using the plot of The Awakening and research materials to understand the adaptation and development of Chinese Immigrants. Lastly, the thesis compares the characteristics and differences between the historical narrative and presentation of historical texts and television, using The Awakening as an example.