Half a Century of Marriage: An Interview with Mrs Margaret Wang

Summary

When, where and how did you meet Professor Wang?

We met in 1951 at the University of Malaya. In those days, the university was at the Bukit Timah campus. He was only a year ahead of me because, when he came back from China, his one and a half years there were not recognized. He had to start as a freshman all over again. So although he is three years older than me, we were only one year apart in the university.

How do you remember your first meeting?

We were both on the Students’ Council. He was the president of the Students’ Union and I was one of the council members. He asked me out to the pictures after one of the meetings. I remember it very clearly: it was Macbeth with Orson Welles as Macbeth.

So, he made the first approach.

Oh yes. But I must confess that I didn't run very fast when he started to chase me!

How did the relationship develop after that?

Well, I suppose you could say that we became boyfriend and girlfriend. We didn't have very much money so we did simple things like going for walks, seeing some good films and eating at roadside stalls. We found that we enjoyed the same sort of films, books and music. We got to know each other quite well during those years of courtship.

Then what happened?

What happened was that he decided to study history. For an academic career, he needed to get a higher degree like a Ph.D. So if he went to England, what would happen to us? We decided we'd get engaged. He would go to England and I would stay behind for a year, work and save some money because I felt that my mother, who was the sole supporter of my family, should not be burdened any more by a daughter who didn't earn any money. So I went to work; I found a job at St. Andrew's Boys’ School. It was looking for an English teacher for the sixth form. I went to be interviewed and was hired on the spot. I never intended to be a teacher. I became one nevertheless when I realized I enjoyed teaching very much.