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The Taximan's Story
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 | 1:17 AM | 0 comments
The Taximan's Story
What I like about The Taximan's Story is the
way I feel it elevates the status of the ordinary man, as a mere taxi driver is
handed the power of semi-omniscience. He does not possess power in the
traditional sense, like a Prime Minister, President or King does, but is
all-seeing and all-knowing as he encounters passengers from all walks of life
on a daily basis. The taxi driver is even aware of what activities go on in the
fringes of society, such as that of prostitution.
"Ah, madam, I know, I know! As taximan, I know them and
their habits... Ah, madam, I see you surprise, but I know, I know all their
tricks."
If knowledge is power, that would make the
taximan an extremely powerful individual, as he is, as I mentioned earlier,
all-seeing and all-knowing. However, one questions whether or not the power he
wields is real power. The possession
of information does not make him invincible or less vulnerable to it than any
other individual - his own daughter is discovered to be engaging in the
activities that he himself looks down upon. Clearly, the power of omniscience
does not necessarily mean that he is above being affected by such activities. In fact, one can even say that in
this story, knowledge is seen to be a burden. By being painfully aware of the
tricks used by young schoolgirls, the hurt and anger that he feels with regard
to his daughter's actions are probably even more heightened. This is especially
so when one considers how ironic it is that something that has brought him
sustenance (the young girls paying him for their taxi rides) is now coming back
to haunt him.
Labels: Catherine Lim, Syahirah