The Coffin Is Too Big For The Hole

By
Kuo Pao Kun (1984)

Themes
An Individual’s Victory Of Struggle Against
The Mainstream.

The writer’s determination in adding another plot for his

grandfather’s coffin is well-portrayed throughout the play.

(p.38, para.6)
 An Individual’s Victory Of Struggle Against
The Mainstream. (cont…)
The writer is now worried that his future generations will not be
determined as him, cause them unable to find and recognise
his grave with the same size with others.

(p. 46, para.4-5)

 Humanity & Sympathy Is Less Considered
The alternatives given by the officer-in-charge is ironical to allow the
readers giving the government a role as not to compromise to their policy.
Moreover, to think out of the box in order to solve the problem
encountered by them.

(p. 41, para. 7-10)

The officer-in-charge was using the excuse of having a densely
populated nation with very limited resources is about to portray
the government’s lack of consideration for humanity and
sympathy.

(p. 42, para. 5)

 Kindness Pays Its Own Price

The officer in charge was awarded a prize in recognition of his

kindness.

(p. 45, para. 6)

 Unwillingness To Accept Changes
• Singapore’s limited size makes the state rigidly restrict its
allocation of spaces for the individual, to maximise space for
national development.
• But in the play, a affectionate grandson demands from the
officer-in-charge of the burial sites for a larger burial hole,
which is too small to accommodate his grandfather’s coffin.

(p. 37, para. 1)

 Unwillingness To Accept Changes
• Initially, the officer-in-charge refuses to extend the
standard plot size as it is contrary to state regulation.

(p. 37, para. 3)

Unwillingness To Accept Changes
• Ultimately, the officer changed his mind and gave the
grandson twice the plot-size, but emphasises that such
situations will not be tolerated again (Pg. 45, Para 1).

(p. 45, para. 1)

 Obedience Leads To True Peace
• The Singaporeans knew that only a fixed standard sized coffin
can fit in the hole (plot) given but they still wanted a huge and
grand one.
• There were choices like buying a plot in the private cemetery
but the writer insists to bury his grandfather in the government
cemetery where the coffin was too big for the hole.

(p. 33, para.5)

 Make Ways In A Conservative
Society
• In this short play, using two plots for a coffin is very uncommon
in the society.
• Thus, the society who has no dare to step out from the
“standard” will be amazed by anything that is contrast to their
“standard”.

(p. 45, para.3&4)

 Stereotyping In The Society
• The writer illustrates the stereotype of the undertaker who promotes the
coffin sarcastically knowing that the writer would not accept the offer.

(p. 37, para.8)