Lion City Narratives

Lion City Narratives: Singapore Through Western Eyes fulfils four aims. First, it is a study of subjective Western impressions of Singapore's 145 years (1819–1963) of colonial history. The study is not meant to be an in-depth historical analysis of Singapore, but rather to give the reader an impressionistic account of how Western residents viewed Singapore over the decades. Second, this study could be seen as a short biography of Singapore's evolution as a city. The chapters on the imageability of Singapore and its urban morphology provide a holistic perspective of Singapore's urban dynamics. Third, this book provides a cultural insight into Singapore's population, both White residents and transient visitors, as well as the locals or Asians. Fourth, it opens a window into Singapore's development at a time when the West was at its cultural zenith and when Great Britain was the principal superpower of the 19th century. Hence Singapore carried twin colonial legacies — it was the archetype trading emporium between East and West, and it became, for the British, the major point d'appui for defence. Finally, the Singapore colonial narrative is set in a broader academic discourse that allows the reader to see a wider picture of Singapore's colonial development.The book does not attempt to make a definitive statement about the Western involvement in Singapore; it deals more with an association of many subjective Western perspectives that add colour to the liveability of the tropics, perceptions of the exotic Orient, and the myriad views of ethnic groups. Without the Western writings, paintings, and maps, academia would have minimal records of Singapore's development. As a new colony in the early 19th century however, Singapore's growth has been extremely well documented.This book will appeal to Singaporeans interested in understanding Singapore's colonial past, Westerners interested in the Western cultural persona in the development of Singapore, researchers dealing with the urban development of less-developed countries and colonial development in the tropical world, and lastly, academics who are interested in Singapore and the region's political and economic development as a case study.Contents: Lion City NarrativesWhat is the Narrative of Western Perceptions?Tumasik: Surrogate Kingdom in the Alam MelayuOne Man's Vision: Raffles' Singapore 'Child'Tropical Nature and the Agricultural ManiaUrban Morphology: Street Life and Iconic PlacesSingapore's ImageabilityAsia's Navel: Cultural PluralismColonialism Challenged: Stirrings of IndependenceReflections and RecollectionsReadership: This book will appeal to academics in the arts and social sciences (history, politics, sociology, anthropology, geography, economics), area studies (Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, Malay Studies), and environmental (tropical ecology) and developmental studies (agriculture, trade). This book is suitable as a research text for both graduate and undergraduate students. There is a mine of data in the book with a liberal use of pertinent examples that deal with a wide range of topics. The manuscript draws on many academic conceptual themes and ideas. The book situates materials in a wider academic discourse that draws the reader to make cross-academic inferences. While this might not have been written as a textbook, there are chapters in this book that would be pertinent for courses in a wide range of studies. This book is particularly aimed at expatriates (Westerners, Asians, and others) who are coming to Singapore to work or engage in business. Reading this book will give any new visitor to Singapore a comprehensive overview of the colonial precedents that gave rise to Singapore's dramatic development towards being a first world country. Singapore;Lion City;Singapore Western Perceptions;Singapore Western Views;Colonial History;Colonial City;Colonial Singapore;Singapore Entrepot;Free Trade;Tropical Development;Colonial Urban Morphology;Colonial Urban Planning;Colonial Urban Spatial Segregation;Colonial Ethnic Segregation;Edward Said's Orientalism;Said's Distinction of 'we' and 'they';Colonial Whites and 'otherings';Thalassic Kingdom of Tumasik-Singapura;Alam Melayu;Sang Nila Utama;Raffles' Colonial Vision;Tropical Ecosystem;Plantation Agriculture;Chinese Gambier Plantations;Tiger Menace;Singapore Botanic Gardens;Mad Ridley's Rubber Promotion;Singapore Iconic Places;Singapore Asian Town;Singapore European Town;Singapore Street Life;Singapore's 'red-Light' Trade;Bugis Street Transvestites;Sago Lane Death Houses;Singapore's Imageability;Colonial Economy;Plural Society;Ethnic Diversity;Ethnic Descriptions;Racial Stereotypes;Singapore Sexual Imbalance;Singapore White 'Society';Enright Affair;'Yellow Culture';Postcolonial Political Turmoil;Communist Agitation;Yellow Peril;Singapore Nationalism;East-West Debates;Chinese Diaspora;English-Speaking vs Chinese-Speaking Chinese;Singapore Mutiny;Sepoy Mutiny;Fall of Singapore'It takes a good geographer to put the past in its place. Dr Victor Savage has pursued seven centuries of contemporary writings about Singapore to seek distinctive Western perspectives about the island at the heart of the Malay World that became a modern city-state. He reminds us that when the geographer has immersed himself in centuries of images and reflections, he makes the past visible and enriches all our senses. This is that kind of book, and anyone who wants to know what Singapore stands for will find a multifaceted answer to just about any question he may ask.' — Wang GungwuUniversity Professor, National University of Singapore 'This is a remarkable book. Dr Victor Savage opens a field which will grow, drawing other scholars to follow. Its main elements were known, but much scattered. Tumasik/Singapura/Singapore's history goes back to the Indianised thalassic kingdoms of Sri Vijaya, Palembang, and the Malacca sultanate. This historic background apart, its special theme is in the Western colonisers' descriptions in over many chapters of what Raffles founded in 1819. Savage has brought these descriptions together, showing the fascinating full impact and value. To him, 'Tropical nature and the Oriental landscape were powerful frames that captured the Western mental pictures of Singapore — the settings within which were placed all other experiences of the place.' The richly varied lives of the colonised — native Malays, immigrant Chinese, and Indians — fascinated White resident colonisers and visitors including Kipling and Conrad. Their many writings intrigue. They were able to observe and occasionally participate in Singapore's bustling Asian life. They were not separated by walls.What we have starts with the Sejarah Melayu and ends with Dennis Bloodworth. We look forward to Dr Savage's concluding volume, on our Singapore.' — Edwin ThumbooEmeritus Professor, National University of Singapore
'Singapore's bicentennial, in 2019, has inspired the publication of several new books. This book by Dr Victor Savage is to be warmly welcomed. He has gone through the enormous literature on Singapore written by Western scholars and observers, and analysed their perceptions into this compelling volume. The Western view of Singapore will always be different from our own view. This was brought home to me recently, when two Western scholars described the ruling People's Action Party's performance in General Election 2020, as a 'disaster' and a 'humiliating defeat'. It is, nevertheless, important for us to understand how others view us. We should also have an open mind and be prepared to learn from others.' — Tommy KohProfessor of Law, National University of Singapore, and Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Key Features:
The book will appeal to Singaporeans, especially younger ones who might have a thirst for understanding Singapore's colonial past and its city-state identity. Older-generation Singaporeans who lived through colonialism might find this an interesting counterpoint to their own experiencesFor those interested in urban development in the less developed countries, and others interested in colonial development in the tropical world, researchers and academics, will find this book interesting. This book will also appeal to those interested in Singapore as a case study of the region's political and economic development. Specifically, it deals with the processes of history rather than its outcomes as in the Indianised kingdom of Temasek as well as the colonial city of Singapore