IDENTITY IN CONTEMPORARY LITERATURES IN ENGLISH FROM THE PHILIPPINES, MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE

Abstract

This thesis attempts to define the concept and significance of identity in the literatures in English that emerged after the demise of colonialism in the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. Among the chief questions were whether these new literatures relied upon colonial models, the extent to which they represented authentic developments, the degree to which they related to the context of their societies, in what respect these literatures were unique' and the kinds of similarities linking the literatures of all three countries. Chapter One outlines the rationale, scope and mode of investigation and posits a working definition of identity. Chapter Two dwells on the confrontation between the aesthetic and the socially committed approaches of Jose Garcia Villa and Salvador P. Lopez of the Philippines, and the issues surrounding the emergence of a literature in English in Malaysia and Singapore. Chapter Three focusses on major strands in the works of the more significant writers in the three countries. After investigating the relationship between the rural context and the definition of the Filipino in N.V.M. Gonzalez's writings there is an examination of tradition and modernity in the work of Muhammad Haji Salleh of Malaysia. The third section considers the contributions of Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose to the definition of the Filipino. The fourth investigates the fiction of Lloyd Fernando, Lee Kok Liang and K.s. Maniaa with reference to establishing images of minority identities. The final section focusses on Edwin Thumboo (Singapore) with special emphasis on the fabric of relationships within an urban, multi-racial context. Chapter Four examines the works of Bienvenido Santos and carlos Bulosan of the Philippines, Ee Tiang Hong and Shirley Lim originally from Malaysia and Wong May originally from Singapore, vis a vis their sense of exile. Chapter Five examines briefly critical discourse on issues related to the re-emergence and development of an indigenous identity in literature. It deals with Filipino critical practice -- focussing on the work of Gemino Abad, Edith N. and Edilberto K. Tiempo and with significant critical approaches and practice in Malaysia and Singapore. In conclusion, apart from the distinctive features of the literatures, there are shared characteristics which include the development of a literature adjusted to the demands of social relevance, the elaboration of pastoral traditions in the case of the Philippines and Malaysia, a concern for craftsmanship and the evolution of a distinctive "voice" or style. The present corpus of literature in each of the three countries, though unequal in quantity of achieved works, possesses a uniqueness and, in some respects, maturity, essential for a viable literature, it is, nevertheless, difficult to predict an eveness of development considering the varied political and sociolinguistic contexts of the three countries. The developments over the next ten to fifteen years would prove crucial.