The political cartoon on foreign talent.

qn : Do you think the cartoonist supports the foreign talent policy in Singapore? Explain your answer.

Suggested Ans:
No, the cartoonist does not support the foreign talent policy.
The cartoonist perceives the foreigners as giants, and Singaporean as a dwarf. The cartoonist portrays Singaporeans as weak and small, while foreigners are big and powerful. The local has to bow down in respect / hang his head in shame as the foreigners look down on him. The cartoonist portrays Singaporeans as second class citizens in their own country.


Alternatives:
Firstly, the three countries represent a barrier between the local and any progress that the country can make. This is because the three pairs of legs are large, imposing and obstacles that stop the locals from moving over to the other side. The cartoonist is implying that foreigners will not help to open Singapore to the global economy.

Secondly, the huge feet imply that the shoes of the foregin talent will be hard for locals to fill. The local will not be able to match up with them and to be as good as they are.

Thirdly, since the three countries are proportionately bigger than the local, it shows that the foreign talent policy views locals as much smaller both in importance and ability compared to foreigners. Locals have to submit themselves to the foreigners because they are powerless to do anything. The cartoonist is also implying that the policy sees locals as dispensable (in singlish: if have, ok. if don't have also nvm. In chinese: 可有可无). Since the local is so small and unimportant, his abilities are unimportant in the development of Singapore. On the other hand, foreign talents are not. Their sheer size in the picture implies that their presence in Singapore and the abilities they have are very important. Without them, Singapore cannot succeed.

Fourthly, the fact that the local is bowing signifies his willing submission to the foreigners. He belives that he is less significant than they are are and he has to show them the respect they deserve. Furthermore, since the upper body and faces of the foreigners are missing, it implies that locals submit to foreigners just because they are foreigners and not because of who they really are or what they are like. Singaporeans themselves show blind submission and respect for the foreigners.

[Example of how we blindly follow foreigners, agreeing with whatever they say / thinking that whatever they say must be better than the locals:

Boss: Can I have a suggestion as to how we should use this space?
Local: Boss boss! Let's build a ktv lounge!
Boss: Crazy! So expensive!
Foreigner: Let's renovate the place into a relaxation corner, where we can sing, play, drink.
Boss: That's a great idea!]

Lastly, the picture is an indication that Singaporeans have resigned themselves to their fate. By bowing, it implies that the local agrees he does not match up to the foreigners and will constantly believe that he is not as good as they are.

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Mr Ng's words:
As you can see, there is no definite answer. The worst answer is when you leave a blank! From a picture, you can think of many things. You can infer a lot from it. It's how you phrase it that makes the difference. Everyone can see the foreigner's leg is bigger than the local. So what? You have to say things like "foreigners trampling over locals / locals being bullied / foreigners look down on locals etc etc etc....."

Use words like "imply", "portray".