Isaac et al. 2008: 3, the inter-class conflict creates a tendency to divide a particular class. The bourgeoisie in this class structure are split in two fragments:
Nick and his family. Nick is disappointed by his family’s snobbery, and he is to leave their extravagant life behind to be with Rachel. Meanwhile, his family let
him go thinking that he cannot survive without their economic power and will eventually come back to them.
Additionally, the way this conflict ends shows at which side of class the author stands for Kurniawan, 2012: 51. Nick succeeds in overcoming Rachel’s
discomfort about the wealth gap between them and saves their relationship. Although he is going to lose the great fortunes he will inherit from both of his
mother’s and grandmother’s side of family, the assets he has owned personally are more than enough from him and Rachel to live a sustainable life. One way or
another, Rachel will still be savoring wealth. Therefore, the change of economic condition Kwan leads his character into shows his extol for the bourgeois class,
thus support the capitalist ideology.
2. The Leongs vs. The Teos
The contrast line of socioenomic differences is intensely drawn between the Leongs and the Teos. These families are broken down into the given class
structure in which the Leongs represent the bourgeois class, while the Teos exemplify the proletariat class. This section analyzes Michael as a representation
of the Teo family members, whereas the analysis of the Leong family includes Astrid and her father Harry. To begin with, it is worth knowing that the Leongs
are closely related to the Youngs. Felicity is the eldest daughter of Sir James Young, which makes her Nick’s eldest aunt. Given the Chinese social and cultural
background of the novel, it can be assured that these two bourgeois families live on an interdependent basis.
Acted as the bourgeoisie, the Leongs possess numerous means of production that vary from economic and natural to human resources, containing the manual
labor of the proletariats. The family is one of the oldest money in Singapore because their wealth comes from a great length of generations, which someday
will be inherited by Astrid and her three brothers. Notoriously, Chinese culture is known to have preserving male dominations. Their patriarchal traditions dictate
women to use the last name of their husbands’ and exclude women from family inheritance Windows on Asia, 2014: pars.1-2. Contrariwise, Kwan pushes these
boundaries through the character of Astrid. Firstly, she is characterized to be an heiress. Since she was a kid, she has already earned a substantial private income.
Secondly, when being introduced her last name is announced Leong; it does not change to Teo as her husband’s is.
And that was the other, more essential about Astrid Leong: she was born into the uppermost echelon of Asian wealth––a secretive, rarefied circle
of families virtually unknown to outsiders who possessed immeasurable vast fortune. For starters, her father hailed from the Penang Leongs, a
venerable Straits Chinese family that held a monopoly over the palm oil industry. But adding even more oomph, her mother was the eldest
daughter of Sir James Young and the even imperial Shang Su Yi. Astrid’s aunt Catherine had married a minor Thai prince. Another was married to the
renowned Hong Kong cardiologist Malcolm Cheng. One could go on for hours diagramming all the dynastic links in Astrid’s
family tree, but from any angle you looked at it, Astrid’s pedigree was nothing short of extraordinary.
Kwan, 2013: 35
The above quotation vividly shows Astrid as a double heiress, which means that the great fortunes she will inherit derive from her father’s side of family as
well as from her mother’s side of family. Her mother Felicity is the eldest daughter of Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi, which means she was born into an
aristocratic clan of Singaporean bourgeoisie. On top of that, she is married off to Harry Leong. He also comes from an established, affluent Strait Chinese family.
Therefore, it is clearly seen that their marriage was an arranged one, aimed to lock up the prosperities of both families. As a result, a much greater extent of
economic power is created when these two distinguished old-moneyed families are merged.
In a Capitalist society like Singapore, wealth never fails to grant a family high regards from society, especially when it is as enormous as the Leongs’ fortunes.
In contrast to the ‘nouveau riches’ families who are always scorned for their recently accumulated money, the old-moneyed Leongs are highly respected by
others, including the ruling government. Because they own various means of production in lots of sectors, the family has strong influences in the economic and
political running in Singapore. Their economic power makes Harry an important decision-making figure of Singaporean policies. Moreover, the fact that Singapore
is one of the powerful countries in the world also gives him controls over the regional or even international matters.
“Oh, yes indeed. The eldest daughter, for instance, is married to Harry Leong.”
“Harry Leong, the fellow who is director of the Institute of ASEAN Affairs?”
“That’s just a title, Wye Mun. Harry Leong is one of the king makers in our government.”
“No wonder I always see him in the prime minister’s box at National Day celebrations. So this family is close to the center of power.”
“Wye Mun, they are the center of power,” Dr. Gu corrected, turning to Peik Lin.
Kwan, 2013: 334 The Leongs are depicted by way of a long-pedigreed family who has been
living in extravagant lifestyles for generations. They are strictly discreet on their behaviors and conducts. Their discreetness constructs an elite social scope
restricted only for Singaporean bourgeoisie and governments. This wall of exclusivity keeps them distant from the Singaporean proletariats. Hence, finding
her daughter associates with Michael Teo startles Harry. The Teos derive from a proletariat hereditarily, thus their socioeconomic
condition is far beneath the Leongs. This class structure shows two distinctive socioeconomic classes constructed by the wealth gap in Singaporean society. Both
the Longs and Teos are Singaporean Chinese, yet the differences in social and economic condition of each family lives is obvious to observe. In disparity to the
Leongs surrounded by prosperity, the Teos live within rusticity in a Singaporean underdeveloped district. They have no means of production, other than their
manual labor. Both Michael’s parents are schoolteachers with minimum wage. This unfortunate condition assigns the Teos a minor social position as well as
lower economic standing. All these rumors came to naught when Astrid surprised everyone again by
announcing her engagement to Michael Teo. The first question on everyone’s lips was “Michel who?” He was a complete unknown, the son
of schoolteachers from then middle-class neighborhood of Toa Payoh. At first her parents were mystified by how she could have come into contact
with someone from “that kind of background”.
Kwan, 2013: 57
As a highly developed country, in Singapore the amount of family legacies
that will be inherited equates the value of an individual. Michael has no heir
entitlement, in form of the means of production, thereby is conferred economic inferiority in the eye of Singaporean bourgeoisie. However, he strives from the
proletariat upbringing he grew up with. He receives a foundation from National Merit Scholarship program, so that he can enroll at California Institute of
Technology, where he graduates with a master’s degree specializing in computer encryption Kwan, 2013: 57. Afterward, he works for Singaporean Ministry of
Defense, which allows him to socialize within the Singaporean bourgeois circle. From the way family members of the Leongs and Teos interact, the economic
relation between Singaporean bourgeoisie and proletariats can be understood. Their economic relation does not run well due to the vast wealth gap that disrupts
them. Therefore, the interactions between these two different socioenomic classes cause a class conflict. The conflict begins when Astrid announces her engagement
to Michael. Because he does not come from an established family, Astrid’s brothers distrust his motive. They worry that he only marries Astrid is for her
money. To make him cancel the wedding, they spitefully inform him that he will not get a cent from her assets because they have been secured by the world-
renowned lawyers. “Yes, your dear brothers. I never told you what happened when we got
engaged. Your brothers called me one day and invited me to lunch, and they all showed up. Hendry, Alex, and even Peter came down from K.L. They
invited me to the snotty club on Shenton Way that they all belong to, took me into one of the private dinning rooms, and sat me down. Then they
showed me one of your financial reports. Just one. They said, ‘We want you to have a glimpse of Astrid’s financial picture, so you have an idea of
what she netted last year?’
. And then Henri said to me––and I’ll never forget
his words––‘Everything Astrid has is safeguarded by the best team of lawyers in the world. No one outside the Leong family will ever benefit
from or come to control her money. Not even if she divorces, not even if she dies. Just though you should know, old chap.
’ ”
Kwan, 2013: 357 The motive Henry, Alex and Peter are suspicious about is whether Michael
uses their precious sister to marry up. The term “marry up” refers to a marriage of higher economic status aimed to advance one’s social standing. In Chinese
society, it is more common for women to do that rather than men. Chinese patriarchal traditions oblige the groom’s family to have greater wealth than the
bride’s Windows on Asia, 2014: par.2. Conversely, in this novel, Astrid’s family is thousand times wealthier than Michael’s. Against all odds, they finally tied the
knot, however the conflict does not end there. Inescapably, Michael’s financial capacity is underestimated by Astrid’s family, especially his father. Harry gives
them a luxurious apartment as a token of superiority as well as a mockery that Michael is not capable to take care of their new family’s basic needs.
Michael refuses to beholden to him, thus Astrid agrees to live in a place he could afford.
As a wedding gift, her father had planned to commission an up-and-coming Brazilian architect to build the newlywed a house in Bukit Timah on land that
had already been deeded to Astrid, but Michael would have none of that. He was a proud man and insisted on living in a place that he could afford to
purchase. “I am capable of providing for your daughter and our future family,” he had informed his stunned future father-in-law, who instead
of being impressed by the gesture, found it rather foolhardy. How was this fellow ever going to afford the kind of place his daughter was
accustomed to on his salary? Michael’s meager savings would barely even get them a down payment on a private flat, and Harry found it
inconceivable that his daughter might live in government-subsidizing housing. Why couldn’t they at the very least just move into one of the houses
or luxury apartments that she already owned? But Michael was adamant that he and his wife begin their life on neutral territory.
Kwan, 2013: 130
Besides economic advantage, the ownership of capital presents social, political and cultural benefits, which is unobtainable for the proletariats Isaac et
all., 2008: 10. Harry’s wealth makes him an overindulgent parent. Every decision over the family affairs should require his permission. He takes Michael’s refusal
as a thoughtless action that sacrifices his beloved daughter squeezing into a pigeonhole for the sake of his pride. His contempt for Michael can be seen from
the way he treats Michael. Stated by Scott in Isaac et al., 2008: 19-20 mistreatments and exploitations of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie on daily life
indicate the existence of class conflict. It is clearly shown when Astrid has a car crash, and Harry blames Michael for it. He reasons that the accident would never
happen if Michael were accompanying Astrid.
“Where the hell were you on Friday night?” Harry barked at his son-in- law. “If you were doing your proper duty escorting her, this wouldn’t
have happened–“ “Daddy, stop it” Astrid cut in.
“I was working late, sir,” Michael said as calmly as possible. “Working late, working late. You’re always walking late these days,
aren’t you?” Harry muttered contemptuously. “Enough, Daddy, we’re leaving now. Come on, Michael, I wan to go home,”
Kwan, 2013: 215 It can be grasped that Harry rather thinks of Michael as a bodyguard whose
responsibility to look after Astrid all day and night long. He, who was born rich, does not care that Michael has a job to make ends meet. This socioeconomic ego
is driven by his bourgeois perspective. It dictates that wealth is inherited and income is earned in noble manner without having to sweat Tyson, 2006: 70.
Therefore, he expects Michael to prioritize his daughter and grandson’s safety above anything else.
Considered as a class conflict, this exploitative treatment is intended by the bourgeoisie to redirect the proletariats for their advantages Isaac et al., 2008: 9.
Michael, who comes from a proletariat family without any mean of production, shall have a skill to make himself useful around his wife’s bourgeois family. He is
exploited not only by his father-in-law, but also by other family members of the Leongs. Cathleen, Henry’s wife who also originates from a wealthy family,
regards Michael as a technician who can fix all technical problems of their digital equipment without having to pay.
“Oh thank God you’re here,” Cathleen said to Michael. “The cooks are having a fit because some transformer blew and that damn high-tech
commercial oven we put in last year won’t work. Apparently it’s gone into self-cleaning mode, and there are four Peking ducks roasting in there––“
Michael glared at his sister-in-law. “Cathleen, I have a master degree from Caltech, specializing in encryption technology. I’m not your
fucking handyman” he fumed, before storming out of the room. Cathleen stared at him in disbelief. “What’s wrong with Michael? I’ve never
seen him like this.” “Oh don’t mind him, Cathleen,” Astrid said, attempting a laugh.
Kwan, 2013: 74 Mistreatment and exploitation endured by the proletariats lead to resistance
Eagleton, 1976b: v. At one point, Michael has had enough of how the Leongs mistreat him and bursts out his emotions. His outburst worsens because the
mistreatment also happens to his whole family. The Leongs never invite the Teos in any of family events or gathering, even just as a sign of politeness. The reason
is because the Teos are of proletariat progeny, opposite to the families Astrid’s brothers’ wives come from. This act of neglect raises the feeling of insecurity in
Michael. He becomes aware about the prestige of socioeconomic class he can never obtain, which is the privilege that derives from being born into old-money
Singaporean families. His insecurity makes him socially deferred among his wife’s bourgeois circle.
“Do you know how it feels when I have to visit your relatives every Chinese New Year in their incredible houses, and then you have to come
with me to my family’s tiny flats in Tampines or Yishun?” “I’ve never minded, Michael. I like your family.”
“But your parent’s don’t. Think about it … in the five years we’ve been married, my mother and my father haven’t once––not even once––been
invited to dinner at your parents’ house” Astrid went pale. It was true. How could she not have realized it? How had
her family been so thoughtless? “Face it, Astrid, your parents will never respect my family the same way
they respect your brothers’ wives’ families. We’re not mighty Tans or Kahs or Kees––we’re Teos. You can’t really blame your parents. They
were born that way––it’s just not in their DNA to associate with anyone who isn’t from their class, anyone who isn’t born rich or royal.”
Kwan, 2013: 356 At first, both Astrid and Michael are naïve for not thinking through about
their life after marriage. In Chinese custom, although a family member has been married, they are still integrated to their entire family Ji, 2010: par.2. However,
it never occurs to them that the distinctive upbringing background between them will not be a struggle on their married life. In fact, the longer their marriage goes
on, the clearer their socioeconomic differences are. Michael starts to doubt himself as a husband, specifically his capability of being the breadwinner for his
family. Aside of how their income is gained, the amount of money Astrid earns far more than he does. This huge income disparity makes him feel economically
inferior in front of his own wife. His economic inferiority is even more enhanced realizing he will never be able to fulfill and live up to the level of extravagance
his bourgeois wife was brought up with. But you’re on your way to doing just that, Michael. Look at how well you
company is doing,” Astrid said encouragingly.
“My company––ha You want to know something, Astrid? Last December, when the company finally broke even and we did our first profit sharing,
I got a bonus check for two hundred and thirty-eight thousand. For one minute, one whole minute, I was so happy. It was the most money I had
ever made. But then it hit me … I realized that no matter how long I work, no matter how hard I sweat my ass off all day long, I will never
make as much money in my whole life as you make in one month alone.” “That’s not true, Michael. That’s just not true” Astrid cried.
“Don’t patronize me” Michael shouted angrily. “I know what your income is. I know how much those Paris dresses cost you Do you know how
much it feels to realize that my pathetic two-hundred-thousand-dollar bonus can’t even pay for one of your dresses? Or that I’ll never be able
to give you the type of house you grew up in?” “I’m happy where we live, Michael. Have I ever complained?”
“I know about all your properties, Astrid, all of them.”
Kwan, 2013: 356 Seen from a Marxist viewpoint, the proletariats will strive for freedom
without any oppressions and interferences from the bourgeoisie. It means that the proletariats at this point have developed class-consciousness Tyson, 2006: 54.
Once they become conscious about the true position of their class, the ideology that the bourgeoisie utilize to shelter their belief cannot survive in society
Eagleton, 1976b: 3. In addition, class-consciousness also marks that a conflict has gotten into its climax. In this novel, the class conflict between the Leongs and
Teos peaks when Michael confronts Astrid his true feelings. He cannot handle any more pressures from the Leong family. Although he has increased his financial
lot, he still carries his economic inferiority inside himself that it affects his
marriage with Astrid. He then purposefully creates pretentious allegations of infidelity. He feigns of committing adultery with another woman, whom bears
him a child. That way, Astrid will finally ask him for a divorce.
“That’s not my son, and there is no mistress.” Astrid’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? I know there was a woman
here. I even recognize her.”
“You recognize here because she’s my cousin. Jasmine Ng––her mother is my auntie, and the little boy is her son.”
“So … who have you been having affair with? Astrid asked, more confused than ever.
“Don’t you get it? It’s all been an act, Astrid. The text message, the present, everything It’s all fake.”
“Fake?” Astrid whispered in shock. “Yes, I faked everything.
“I can’t believe this …” Astrid said, her voice trailing off in astonishment. “I’m sorry, Astrid. It was a stupid idea, but I didn’t think I had any other
choice.” “Any other choice?
What do you mean?”
“I though it would be far better for you to want to leave me than for me to divorce you. I would rather be labeled the cheating bastard with a
illegitimate son, so that you could … your family could save face,” Michael said rather dejectedly.
Kwan, 2013: 354 As much as he loves Astrid, unfortunately, divorce might be the only solution
for Michael to be free from the mistreatments and exploitations he is under. Additionally, the fact that he does not mind being judged the bad guy who ruins
their marriage signifies his adherence as a proletariat to the bourgeois Leongs. It is in line with Eagleton’s notion that class conflict aims for power gain in society to
govern life according to the rules of conduct that the bourgeoisie deem right Eagleton, 1991: 28. However, Astrid still loves Michael deeply and knows that
he loves her too. For that reason, she is not giving up on their marriage, although it contradicts her family’s will.
To them, Michael cheats behind her back is unforgivable. In Chinese patriarchal culture, it is common for men to have mistresses Ji, 2010: par.9.
However, that kind of men is the ones with aristocratic background or economic superiority. Aside from the fact that the cheating is a pretense, the Leongs see it as
an insult that can ruin their majestic reputation in Singaporean bourgeois society.
On top of that, Astrid and her family have distinctive perceptions towards Michael and her marriage with him because they see from different ideological
perspectives. Their perceptions later lead them to have differences on personal interests as well.
“What good would that do?” Michael said bitterly. “Don’t you see? From day one, your family didn’t trust me.”
“You don’t ever have to spend a single minute with my family again, I promise. I am going to talk to my brothers. I am going to give them hell.
And no one will ever ask you to recover their hard drives or reprogram their wine fridge again, I promise. Just please, don’t leave me,” she
pleaded, the tears flooding down her cheeks. “Astrid, you are talking nonsense. I would never want to deprive you of your
family––your whole life revolves around them. What would you do if you weren’t at Wednesday mah-jongg with your great-aunt Rosemary, Friday-
night dinner at your Ah Ma’s, or Pulau Club movie night with your dad?” “I can give it up. I can give all of that up” Astrid cried, burying her head in
his lap and clinging to him tightly. “I wouldn’t want you to. You’ll be happier without me in the long run.
I’m just holding you back.” …
“I can’t stay married to you. I just don’t want to live in your world anymore. There’s no way I can measure up to your family, and I don’t want to keep
resenting you for who you are. I made a terrible mistake, Astrid. Please, please
let me go,” he said, his voice getting chocked up. Kwan, 2013: 357-358
It is clear to see that the class conflict pits Astrid against her own bourgeois family. As such, the class conflict happens to the Leongs and Teos is an intra-
class conflict. Intra-class conflict takes place when members of a particular class have differentiations on ideological perspectives Isaac et al., 2008: 10. Astrid,
who was educated in the United Kingdom and have been traveling all around the world ever since, is more exposed to Western culture and custom. She has become
a free-prejudiced Chinese woman who thinks pedigree does not matter. On the other hand, Harry is a conventional man, who was Chinese-educated and spends
most of his life in Singapore. He sternly believes in Confucianism, which dictates that family, in term of blood and breed, comes first. He therefore looks down on
people whose no blue blood running on their veins. Furthermore, Astrid is forced to choose either Michael or her family, and her
choice is to stay with her husband. She is willing to leave her glamorous life behind to save their marriage. Likewise to the resolution of the conflict involving
the Youngs and Chus, a change of economic condition also appears in this case. While it sounds ironic, with the secret help from Astrid’s ex-boyfriend Charlie
Wu, Michael will finally succeed to advance his tech-firm. Henceforth, he can fully support his own family and thrive from his own inferiority over the
economic superiority of his wife’s family.
“Great, great. Aaron, I want you to do me a special favor … I want you to look up a small digital firm based in Singapore called Cloud Nine
Solutions.” “Cloud Nine …” Aaron began, keying the name into his computer.
“Headquartered in Jurong?” “Yes, that’s the one. Aaron, I want you to acquire the company tomorrow.
Start low, but I want you to end up offering at least fifteen million for it. Actually, how many partners are there?”
“I see two registered partners. Michael Teo and Adrian Balakrishnan.” “Okay, bid thirty million.”
“Charlie, you can’t be serious? The book value on that company is only––“ “No, I’m dead serious,” Charlie cut in. “Start a fake bidding war between
some of our subsidiaries if you have to. Now listen carefully. After the deal is done, I want you to vest Michael Teo, the founding partner, with
class-A stock options, then I want you to bundle it with that Cupertino start-up we acquired last month and the software developer in
Zhongguancun. Then, I want us to do an IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange next month.”
“Next month?” “Yes, it has to happen very quickly. Put the word out on the street, let
your contacts at Bloomberg TV know about it, drop a hint to Henry Blodget if you think it will help drive up the share price. But at the end of
the day I want those class-A stock options to be worth at least 250 million. Keep it off the books, and set up a shell corporation in
Liechtenstein if you have to. Just make sure there are no links back to me. Never, ever.”
Kwan, 2013: 381-382 Argued by Kurniawan 2012: 51, the plot that rolls in a literary work is
driven by the author’s ideological intention. It then can be used to indicate the socioeconomic class he is in favor of. From how the class conflict ends, it seems
like Kwan is on the side of the proletariats. However, he provides Michael with an enormous economic improvement. In this manner, the ending Kwan directs his
characters into encouraging the readers toward the bourgeois class, thus shows his exalt for capitalist ideology.
B. Discussion on Kwan’s Authorial Ideology
