My visit to the National Museum was insightful and enriching. In this essay, I will highlight some of my key takeaways from the “Modern Colony” exhibition and how they helped me improve my own understanding of Singapore’s history. The main themes explained are gender, cosmopolitanism, modernity and technology, all of which are associated with the idea of ​​progress. The exhibition space was modeled on a black and white bungalow, in a style once commonly used to house colonial and European homes. expatriate families. Mannequins displaying different pieces of British colonial-style clothing and flamboyant cocktail dresses were on display. Some of the exhibits were glass; items such as British novelties, decorative glassware and exquisite tableware. Jazzy music was playing subtly in the background. The setting, as a whole, was representative of the culture and lifestyle of wealthy British people before World War II. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The first theme explained is gender. Over the years, structural changes such as the expansion of education to include women and external triggers such as modernization have led to increased opportunities for women and a greater emphasis on their empowerment. In the early 1900s, women's roles were primarily confined to the home. In contrast, in the 1920s and 1930s, women began to attend school and participate in leisure activities. I believe that the traditional mentality adopted by society at that time was the main reason why women's roles were limited and confined to the home, while they had the potential to be as successful as men in the workplace. During colonialism, the British introduced Western culture, and this culture influenced the mentality of the locals, making them more liberal and open to change. I believe that this increased acceptance of a new way of life for women was a key factor in the progress of women in all aspects of life, and the items in the exhibition support my understanding of the attributed British cultural influence to the progress of women in the past. .One of the exhibits was a display of a meal setting. The tableware was carefully displayed and placed in an appropriate and elaborate manner. Great importance was placed on the punctuality of gatherings for meals. As such, it is evident that fine dining etiquette was deeply ingrained in the lives of Britain's wealthy. This subculture has been adopted to some extent by Singaporeans, as evidenced by the growing number of families today practicing good table manners and punctuality of meals. As the menu presented on the table shows, British meals were elaborate and their components listed in detail. More importantly, the British diet was cosmopolitan. While the bulk of the dishes were Western dishes, local Singaporean dishes were also included as menu options for some meals. The British's integration of local flavors into their culinary tastes was a small sign of Singapore's early cultural developments. Likewise, we locals have, to some extent, incorporated British practices into our lives, especially in this era when Singapore presents itself as an industrialized country in an increasingly globalized world. This exhibition reinforces..