Conversion of the Tribes: Societal Antecedents and the Growth of Singaporean Poetry

Abstract

The construction of the writer's self is explored from a historical & political perspective in the context of the development of poetry in Singapore. Recovering from the colonial experience's persistent political, economic, intellectual, & psychological effects requires total independence from them. The imagination of the Singaporean poet thrives on history as influence, as colonial & national experience, & as unshakable inheritance. The Indian & Chinese influences made their presence felt in these aspects of history, including religion, government, language, art, & drama. The English establishment of Singapore as a colony brought education. Subsequent ethnic divisions resulted in poetry in four official languages: Malay, Chinese, Tamil, & English, changing in the attitudes, themes, & perceptions of experience along with the organic response of following generations to the political, social, & physical environment. Nevertheless, despite distinctive characteristics of the four poetries, there is an increasing convergence of themes & preoccupations, creating more definitive & didactive power.