Kevin

KEVIN by Catherine Lim

1    1. Plot synopsis

Young Kevin Lee Keng Seng is doodling in his exercise book when he is supposed to be studying for his science examination. His mother soundly reprimands him, threatening him with punishment if he fails to get at least 95%. He always had achieved this figure but his rewards from his mother were always what she allowed him, never what he really wanted. She always checks his papers and upbraids him for the slightest mistakes, ringing his teacher to ensure that extra work is given to ensure his further success. She is especially keen that he beats his closest rivals in class, “and continues to pressurize him”, even though he usually obtains the best marks. When he does come first in class, he is taken to see ‘Star Wars’, a film at the cinema. That evening he wants to watch a live football match on television which his friend, the happy but less academic Boon Kee, had enthused about, but he is not allowed to because he has to get up early for a swimming lesson the next day.  When the science results are read out, Kevin is alarmed to hear that he is in sixth place with only 82%. He walks dispiritedly home and dismisses suggestions from his friend, Boon Kee, that he should try to alter his paper to deceive his mother. When he gets home the old house maid informs him that his mother is in hospital and will be hospitalized for a week due to her ulcers. Instead of being alarmed at the news, Kevin is overjoyed at the prospect of a “whole week of fun and play”.

2    2. Characters

Kevin’s mother: There is no mention of a father in the story so we are left to assume that his mother is his only remaining parent. Her obsession with his results is unhealthy; she seems completely oblivious to the role of play in a child’s development. It is natural to be concerned about a child’s progress in school but her concern is a mania, she seems to see Kevin’s successes or failures as a reflection of her own success as a parent. Is she, unsuccessfully, trying to make up for the absence of a father by being so demanding? If so, she has failed as a mother for, to Kevin, she is seen as nothing but a hard taskmaster who denies him the right to enjoy anything that he regards as being pleasurable. She fails to see that play is not a waste of time but in its way, is just as important as any other activity in a child’s life. The way she frets about minor variations in his marks and how he copes compared to other boys is indicative of her paranoia. Note that she does not praise Kevin’s achievements, as a parent should, but is only too ready to find fault with him instead.

Kevin: Kevin is of above average intelligence but in all other respects, he is a perfectly normal boy with normal tastes. His mother’s demands that he be first in every subject are unrealistic and are too much for him. He longs to be free from his everlasting stint of study so that he can be like other boys. He sees his mother not as the loving parent she should be but as a dispenser of inadequate rewards or painful punishments. It is sad indeed to see him overjoyed at the news of his mother’s illness but the story has been carefully developed so that we are not at all surprised and, on the contrary, can sympathise with his relief.

Boon Kee: Boon Kee represents the freedom of normality that Kevin longs for – that is why Kevin chooses his as his best friend instead of his more studious classmates. Boon Kee is not a bright boy, “he never knew how to describe things whenever he got excited”, but he is sympathetic towards Kevin while enjoying fun and games himself. Kevin’s mother disapproves of him and that is recommendation enough, I suspect, for Kevin.

3    3. Themes

Education

What, for example, is the point of educating somebody to a high level if it makes them miserable? Is it more important to be successful that it is to be happy?

The role of parents

This story questions the one-sided emphasis of parents like Kevin’s mother. Her lack of praise regarding Kevin discloses an important area of parental neglect. She totally ignores the normal desire of her child to play and have fun. Is she really concerned about her child or does she merely want to boast about how clever he is to everyone else? The story is a stark warning to all parents who are educational disciplinarians.

 The role of play

The proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” applies here. The story makes the point that play is a vital element in the development of children even though it may appear frivolous at the time.