Marital Problems
‘The Man Who Wore His Wife's Sarong’ commences by introducing Charlie Wong, a private investigator. Most of the clients of Charlie Wong are women who come to investigate their unfaithful husbands. Charlie is known for her prowess in uncovering the dark secrets of men. For instance, Robina Lee is one of the clients of Charlie Wong, who has come to seek investigative services because she has just realized that her husband is cheating on her with another woman. Robina wants to pay whatever price so that her husband can be investigated, and the mystery mistress's identity be discovered. When Robina visits Charlie Wong, the author writes, “Seated with legs crossed and hands clenched tightly around the arms of the chair, she said in pitch-perfect Mandarim, my husband is seeing another woman. I would like to engage your services to find out who she is. What hold she has on him." Most women in this society are suffering from marital issues because they seek private investigators to help them.
The Theme of Misery
Rose is portrayed as a symbol of misery the deserted toddlers go through in life. Rose was given birth by a mother who was not ready to take responsibility, and she dumped her in the temple's outhouse. Eventually, Rose was rescued from the toilet bucket by the Kai-ma and her husband, who were the temple's servants during that time. They also adopted Cha-li. Shockingly, the two children were treated differently. While Cha-li was spoiled with good things, Rose was treated rudely and subjected to suffering. Kia-ma often abused Rose, and other people called her the lump of shit. The author writes, "The children teased her, Sai! Sai! They yelled in Hokkien. Even the adults called her AhSai – lump of shit. The village boys would kick open the door of the outhouse whenever Rose was crouched inside." The outside world was cruel, the Rose. Making matters worse, she never received love from the custodians who were taking care of her, which made her curse the day she was born. The author writes, “Rose cursed the mother who gave birth to her and dumped her in the temple’s outhouse.”
The Theme of Reminiscences
Cha-li starts to recollect about her past the day she sees a woman resembling Rose. She grew up with Rose in the same house, and she had a lot to remember about her. The text is full of Cha-li’s memories as she remembers everything that took part between Rose and her. After many years, Cha-li comes across a woman resembling Rose in the course of her investigative duty. Robina Lee approaches her and requests her to find out the woman her husband is cheating with routinely. Cha-li is surprised to Rose coming out of a corner house with Robert Lee at midnight. It is at this point the entire text turns on Cha-li’s childhood memories. Cha-li recalls how her adopted mother, Kai-ma mistreated Rose. She also remembers how Rose was remorseful and turned her anger on her. For instance, when they joined the school, Rose could not stop insulting Cha-li. For example, the author writes, "Monkey! Rose had yelled the first day. Did you see the school toilet? No shit! No flies! No smell! So clean! You just pull the metal chain. Rose was yelling these words at Cha-lie, reminding her that someday she will get out of the temple and get a better life.
