The poem, photo and the article all share a common theme - suicide. The poem and the photo present it in a rather ethereal, surreal manner. I like the poem the best. For me, the article is by far too literal. It presents the idea of suicide in a rather straight, down-to-earth manner. It leaves no room for imagination for the reader. The photo, on the other hand sensationalises the idea of suicide, through image editing. It gives the idea that through suicide, you will be able to find happiness in nothingness. The picture depicts a tunnel with a light source at the end

The poem presents the theme of suicide in a very innocent and peaceful manner. Various 'local' images are conjured up, especially one of two little brothers flying their paper planes from HDB flats. Somehow, this seemingly happy and innocuous scene has undercurrents of death and depression. Upon further reading, the brother of the poet is found to have committed suicide, the act of flinging the paper planes " off tower blocks, watching them soar/ In defiance of every earthly law" mirrors the poet's brother's act of hurling himself off a building. I really like the irony presented in this poem.

I don't think a person reading this 25 years later would get the same meaning as I do. For one, he would not be able to relate to the brothers' act of flying paper planes because they probably won't do that anymore. Also, perceptions of death would have probably changed by then

In Literature, suicide is often symbolic of the deepest depression or devotion, and is used in works like Mrs Dalloway. Even Shakespeare wrote about it in his plays like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. Also, the painting Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David is relevant too. Suicide is depicted as something that is dignified

My Paper Planes 
by Kenneth Wee

These planes I fly for you today.
I meant to fly some everyday,
But there was always homework,
And a thousand other things:
My planes are broken birds with pinioned wings.

I remember your planes swirling with grace,
Dancing to your bubbling laughter's pace,
Lifted by your capers and your smiling face;
You loved to give life to phoenixes galore
And fling them off tower blocks, watch them soar
In defiance of every earthly law.

I regret now not joining you,
Siding with Mom when you set free
Earthbound homework into dreams that flew;
I asked you to grow up, face the world,
But I didn't actually expect to see,
Didn't expect you to follow your planes onto the brutal road.

I've thrown away my last one now.
I hope the wind will lift its wings to you,
And you can judge how well
I've tried to make my planes!
If only my spirit could be airborne like yours was...
I suppose you're happier now,
Riding on your imagination's flight,
Away from the dull earth you understood better
Than I do.

Poor pieces of paper
Are all I have left of you.

The Way Out
by George Grie

Image Courtesy of George Grie

 

Coroner's hearing of teen suicide pact begins
By Seet Sok Hwee, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 07 September 2009 2210 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Two boys who jumped nine storeys to their death in August last year did it because they were convinced that they could come back to life with the ability to slay demons and save the world.

The tragic incident took place at Blk 667, Jalan Damai in the wee hours of August 23.

The Coroner's Court heard on Monday that Ku Witaya and Sia Chan Hong, who were classmates at Tampines Secondary School, had planned a suicide pact with six other friends. The eight friends were between 13 and 18 years old.

But one person reportedly backed out of the plan and five others ran away after seeing their friends fall to their death.

Ku, a medium, is said to have told his friends two months before the incident that he would come back to life with extraordinary powers.

The hearing continues.

- CNA/ir