Summary
Setting the Stage
The story is set in China and revolves around Tao Ying, a working mother,
and her young son, Xiao Ye. Tao Ying is a cook in a factory canteen and is
portrayed as a woman striving to be the ideal mother while navigating the
challenges of everyday life.
A Lesson in Integrity
Tao Ying occasionally avoids paying for her bus ticket when travelling
alone, rationalising her actions. However, when her son is with her, she
ensures they purchase tickets to set an example. This incident introduces
the theme of parental responsibility and the moral dilemmas people face in
mundane situations.
The Temple Visit
The central conflict arises during a visit to a temple. The temple exempts
children under 110 centimetres from buying tickets. Xiao Ye, excited about
the trip, insists he is tall enough for a ticket. Despite Tao Ying’s
initial reluctance, she buys one to honour her promise to him. However,
upon reaching the temple, a young guard claims Xiao Ye is taller than the
limit, sparking a public dispute.
A Mother's Struggle
Caught in the confrontation, Tao Ying’s attempt to measure her son’s
height causes unintended embarrassment, straining her relationship with
him. Her actions highlight the societal pressure and emotional toll of
trying to meet the expectations of both parenthood and public behaviour.
Seeking Justice
Determined to vindicate herself and regain her son’s trust, Tao Ying
measures Xiao Ye at home, confirming that he was under the height limit.
She writes a letter to the temple authorities to address the injustice.
This act reflects her resilience and commitment to protecting her child’s
perception of her integrity.
The Resolution
Temple officials visit Tao Ying to apologise and offer compensation. She
refuses the money and tickets, instead asking them to explain the
misunderstanding to Xiao Ye. This resolution underscores her dedication to
teaching her son the importance of truth and fairness, even in the face of
personal challenges.
Themes
1. Parental Love and Responsibility
The story highlights Tao Ying’s deep love and sense of duty towards her
son, Xiao Ye. She strives to be a flawless mother, often sacrificing her
comfort and preferences to set a positive example for him. Her actions
underscore the weight of parental responsibility and the lengths parents
go to protect and nurture their children.
2. Ethical Dilemmas and Integrity
Through Tao Ying’s behaviour, the narrative explores the everyday moral
choices people face. From her selective purchase of bus tickets to her
actions at the temple, the story examines how integrity is shaped by
context and relationships. The conflict at the temple symbolises the
challenges of upholding one’s values under societal scrutiny.
3. Childhood Innocence and Perception
Xiao Ye’s innocence and his straightforward view of the world contrast
with the complexities faced by adults. His insistence on buying a ticket,
his desire to measure his height, and his emotional reaction to the events
at the temple highlight how children perceive fairness and trust.
4. Pride and Humility
Tao Ying’s struggle to maintain her dignity in front of her son and the
public reflects the universal human desire to balance pride with humility.
Her eventual choice to prioritise her son’s understanding over public
vindication demonstrates her humility and emotional maturity.
5. Societal Norms and Expectations
The story critiques the rigidity of societal norms through the actions of
the temple guard and the arbitrary height requirement. It showcases how
rules, though designed for order, can sometimes lead to conflict and
alienation.
Character Sketches
1. Character Sketch of Tao Ying
Tao Ying is the protagonist of the story, depicted as a dedicated and
loving mother. She works tirelessly as a cook in a factory canteen and is
deeply committed to setting the right example for her son, Xiao Ye.
Despite her modest background, she values ethics and strives to instil
them in her child. Her actions, from buying a bus ticket to writing a
letter to the temple authorities, reflect her moral struggles and her
desire to uphold integrity. Tao Ying’s character embodies resilience,
self-reflection, and the emotional complexities of motherhood.
Key Traits:
- Responsible and caring
- Ethical, yet pragmatic
- Emotionally resilient
2. Character Sketch of Xiao Ye
Xiao Ye is Tao Ying’s young son, whose innocence and curiosity drive the
narrative. He is portrayed as a bright and sensitive child who holds his
mother to high moral standards. Xiao Ye’s insistence on fairness and his
reaction to the events at the temple highlight his strong sense of justice
and trust in his mother. The story captures his gradual understanding of
the world’s complexities and his evolving relationship with his mother.
Key Traits:
- Innocent and curious
- Observant and principled
- Emotionally expressive
3. Character Sketch of The Temple Guard
The young temple guard serves as a foil to Tao Ying’s character. He is
portrayed as rigid and dismissive, adhering strictly to rules without
empathy. His confrontational behaviour at the temple exemplifies the
arbitrary enforcement of societal norms, causing unnecessary distress to
Tao Ying and Xiao Ye.
Key Traits:
- Rigid and inflexible
- Confrontational
- Lacks emotional insight
4. Character Sketch of The Temple Officials
The officials who visit Tao Ying’s home towards the end of the story
represent institutional accountability. Their willingness to apologise and
offer compensation contrasts with the guard’s behaviour, showcasing a more
humane approach to resolving conflicts.
Key Traits:
- Polite and understanding
- Respectful
- Representative of authority
Extract-Based Questions from One Centimetre by Bi Shu-Min
Extract 1
"‘Mama, tickets!’ Xiao Ye says. Children are often more conscious of
rituals than adults. Without a ticket in his hand, the ride doesn’t
count as a proper ride."
Questions:
- Why does Xiao Ye insist on getting tickets?
-
How does this reflect the difference between a child’s and an adult’s
perspective?
-
Identify and explain the literary device used in the phrase
"Children are often more conscious of rituals than adults."
Extract 2
"‘Xiao Ye, you are not quite tall enough, still one centimetre away,’
she tells him softly. Tao Ying does not come from a privileged
background, and has not read very many books. But she likes to be gentle
and gracious, to set an example for her son and make a good
impression."
Questions:
- What does this extract reveal about Tao Ying’s character?
-
How does the height measurement serve as a recurring motif in the story?
-
Explain the significance of Tao Ying’s desire to be “gentle and
gracious” for her son.
Extract 3
"‘Mama, why are you taking so long? I thought I had lost you!’ Xiao Ye
shouts to her affectionately. He runs towards his mother, as if she was
one of his favourite toys."
Questions:
-
What does Xiao Ye’s reaction tell us about his relationship with his
mother?
-
Identify the simile in the extract and explain its effect on the imagery
of the scene.
-
How does the child’s behaviour contrast with the seriousness of the
situation?
Extract 4
"‘Mama, give me money!’ Taking the money, Xiao Ye runs towards an old
woman behind the stall and says to her: ‘Please measure me!’"
Questions:
- What motivates Xiao Ye to ask the old woman to measure him?
-
How does this moment highlight Xiao Ye’s understanding of fairness and
trust?
-
What does this incident reveal about the influence of the earlier events
on Xiao Ye?
Answers to Important Questions
Analytical Questions
-
How does the title One Centimetre symbolise the central
conflict of the story?
-
The title represents the fine line between truth and perception,
rules and reality. Xiao Ye’s height—just one centimetre short or
above the limit—becomes a metaphor for the arbitrary nature of
societal norms. It highlights how minor discrepancies can lead to
significant conflicts, symbolising the struggles Tao Ying faces in
upholding her integrity while navigating societal rules.
-
Describe the ethical dilemmas Tao Ying faces in the story. How do
they shape her character and actions?
-
Tao Ying faces moral dilemmas in deciding when to buy tickets and
how to respond to the accusations at the temple. While she initially
avoids minor ethical responsibilities, her son’s presence forces her
to uphold higher moral standards. These dilemmas shape her into a
more conscientious individual, emphasising her role as a mother
striving to be a positive influence on her child.
-
Discuss the significance of the mother-son relationship in the
narrative. How does it evolve throughout the story?
-
The relationship is central to the story, showcasing Tao Ying’s
efforts to model integrity and Xiao Ye’s growing awareness of
fairness and trust. Initially, Tao Ying’s actions seem to shield
Xiao Ye from the complexities of life. However, as conflicts arise,
their bond is tested, leading to a deeper mutual understanding and
growth by the end.
-
How does Bi Shu-min use everyday incidents to explore deeper themes
of morality and societal expectations?
-
The story uses ordinary scenarios—bus rides, temple visits, and
parenting moments—to delve into profound themes like ethical
conduct, parental responsibility, and societal norms. By weaving
these themes into relatable situations, Bi Shu-min reflects the
moral complexities of everyday life and the universal challenges of
maintaining integrity.
Discussion-Based Questions
-
Tao Ying is determined to be a role model for her son. How do her
efforts reflect the pressures of parenting?
-
Tao Ying’s constant effort to set a moral example reflects the
societal and self-imposed pressures parents face. Her actions, such
as buying tickets or refusing to lie, demonstrate her belief that
children learn by observing. These pressures, however, often lead to
internal conflict, showing the challenges of living up to one’s
ideals.
-
The temple guard’s behaviour is a representation of rigid societal
norms. How does the story critique this rigidity?
-
The guard’s strict adherence to the height rule, without room for
understanding or empathy, symbolises the inflexibility of societal
systems. The story critiques this rigidity by showing how such rules
can alienate individuals and create unnecessary conflict, especially
when applied without considering human emotions and context.
-
Do you think Tao Ying’s decision to decline the temple’s
compensation was justified? Why or why not?
-
Yes, Tao Ying’s decision was justified as it reflected her
prioritisation of moral values over material gain. By refusing the
compensation, she aimed to teach Xiao Ye a lesson about integrity
and fairness, reaffirming her role as a mother dedicated to
instilling strong ethical principles in her son.
-
Explore how the story captures the contrasting perspectives of
adults and children towards rules and fairness.
-
Adults, like Tao Ying, often see rules as negotiable and guided by
practicality. Children, represented by Xiao Ye, view rules as
absolute, driven by a sense of fairness and trust. This contrast is
evident in Xiao Ye’s insistence on tickets and his confusion over
the temple incident, highlighting the innocence of childhood against
the pragmatism of adulthood.
Theme-Oriented Questions
-
What does the story reveal about the balance between personal pride
and humility?
-
The story shows how personal pride often conflicts with humility.
Tao Ying’s struggle to maintain her dignity in front of her son and
the public reflects her internal battle. Ultimately, her decision to
prioritise her son’s understanding over public vindication
illustrates the triumph of humility guided by love and
responsibility.
-
How does the story illustrate the gap between societal expectations
and individual values?
-
The story critiques societal expectations through Tao Ying’s
encounters with rigid rules, such as the bus conductor’s
indifference or the temple guard’s strict enforcement. These
instances reveal the clash between institutional norms and personal
ethics, highlighting the challenges individuals face in navigating
these discrepancies.
-
In what ways does the narrative reflect the challenges of living
with integrity in a complex world?
-
Tao Ying’s experiences underscore the difficulty of maintaining
integrity in the face of societal pressures, financial constraints,
and personal pride. Her journey—from small ethical compromises to a
firm stand for her values—reflects the universal struggle to live
honestly in a world where rules and fairness often seem arbitrary.
