Sri Lanka is a country which has witnessed tremendous political upheavals since ages. Although now, peace has been restored to the lands still there are many issues which have to be sorted out. Though an under develop country, but Sri Lanka was the first country to have given the world first woman Prime Minister, Srinivaso Bhandarnaike.
Women writing in Sri Lanka began in 1928 when Rosalind Mendis published her first novel, The Mystery of a Tragedy published by Arthur Stockwell of London. The novel was not so successful and it did not pave the way to inspire other women to take up writing as a career. Women writing did not flourish in Sri Lanka due to many reasons but over the last three decades, it has witnessed a new wave of women writers trying to carve their niche in the world of English writing as there has been tremendous flow of women writers. Vijeta Fernando writes, ‘a half a century long drought followed before creative writing, especially by women, could take root and flourish in the island country.’ So the writing culture including both men and women developed in Sri Lanka in the postcolonial period.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to examine the evolution and impact of Sri Lankan women writers, exploring how they navigate and respond to the nation's political turmoil, social challenges, and the quest for identity. The research focuses on the transition from traditional, domestic-themed literature to contemporary works that address complex sociopolitical realities, feminism, and historical memory.
- The historical development of English-language women's writing in Sri Lanka.
- The influence of political unrest, civil war, and economic shifts on literary themes.
- Feminist perspectives and the challenge to patriarchal double standards.
- The role of individual writers such as Punyakante Wijenaike, Kumari Jayawardena, Nira Wickramsinghe, Rosemary Rogers, and Thisuri Wanniarachchi.
- The intersection of literature, social advocacy, and national identity in the post-colonial period.
Excerpt from the Book
The Terrorist Daughter
“The villages where we live was about a mile towards the north from the town of Killinochchi. Education there was nothing but a dream. The only school in the village had been destroyed during the war. People there were poor, unprivileged and innocent. All villages were forced to support the terrorists. The ones who refused to support the terrorists would be found dead in a farm, or in a drain...
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section provides an overview of the rise of Sri Lankan women writers in the post-colonial era, noting their increasing prominence and the shift toward diverse, high-quality literary themes that reflect the nation's complexities.
Keywords
Sri Lankan Women Writers, Post-colonial period, Political turmoil, Civil War, Feminism, Third World literature, Identity, Social issues, Empowerment, Literary awards, Nationalism, Cultural history, Gender discrimination, Authorship, Narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
The work examines the rise and significance of Sri Lankan women writers who contribute to the country's literary landscape while navigating a history of political instability and social change.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the impact of the civil war, the evolution of feminist ideologies, the intersection of political turmoil with personal identity, and the struggle against societal double standards.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary objective is to highlight how contemporary Sri Lankan women writers are transcending traditional gender roles and using their creative work to challenge injustice and document the country's turbulent history.
Which scientific or research methods are employed?
The author employs a qualitative literary and biographical analysis, examining the oeuvres of prominent writers, evaluating their thematic contributions, and contextualizing their works within the historical and sociological framework of post-colonial Sri Lanka.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body details the historical trajectory of women's writing, the shift toward more complex social themes, and specific case studies of notable authors like Punyakante Wijenaike and Kumari Jayawardena, including their academic and literary impacts.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Sri Lankan Women Writers, Post-colonial period, Political turmoil, Feminism, and Identity, reflecting its core focus on literature as a response to national experience.
How does Kumari Jayawardena contribute to the discourse on feminism?
Jayawardena is presented as a pioneer who argues that feminism in the Third World is an indigenous philosophy rather than a Western imposition, focusing on the history of women's rights movements in Asia.
What is the significance of the novel 'The Terrorist Daughter' by Thisuri Wanniarachchi?
It is analyzed as a critical post-war literary work that uses a fictional narrative to discuss and analyze the political spectrum of Sri Lanka, acting as a "road map to reconciliation."
How does the work address the criticism faced by these writers?
The text portrays writers like Sunita Rajakarunanayake and Sicila Cooray as bold individuals who overcome social criticism regarding their "neglect" of traditional family roles by focusing on their dedication to creative truth and national awareness.
- Citar trabajo
- PhD (English) Shamenaz Bano (Autor), 2020, Sri Lankan Women Writers Finding Space Within Political Turmoil. Punyakante Wijenaike, Kumari Jayawardena, Nira Wickramsinghe, Rosemary Rogers and Thisuri Wanniarchchi, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/931418
