hi bubs
well just like to point out some distinguished character traits in the play
Kheong - in a normal society, the male is usually deemed superior to that of females in the family, as usually they are the main source of income for the family.
however in this play, kheong is seen as manipulated and controlled by emily.
at the start of the play, kheong was seen being king/caring towards emily(pg.11)
throughout the play, it is clear that they had a deteriorating relationship, to the point which khoeng moved out of the house and not speaking to emily when he was in the hospital.
the above poutrays kheong as someone who wants freedom and self-dependent(does not like to be controlled)
Richard shared similar traits with his father, someone who wants freedom, even to the point of openly defying emily when he was in england.
when he comitted suicide, it can be also seen as a final/only solution when he realised he could not get out of her control.
thats it for now.(feel free to comment)
cheers.
libo