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"Narrating 1Malaysia": nationalism in Malaysian literature in English

Mohd Ramli, Aimillia (2011) "Narrating 1Malaysia": nationalism in Malaysian literature in English. In: Crossing boundaries: musings on language, literature and culture. IIUM Press, Kuala Lumpur, pp. 73-82. ISBN 9789674181468

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Abstract

Malaysian literature in English in the 1960s was a product of early Malaysian writers’ endeavour to spearhead a literary tradition of writings that promoted a national identity amongst the diverse races living the country. This task, however, was generally undertaken by those who were more inclined to write about the issues and interests of their own communities rather than those of others living in the country. In the last twenty years, however, there have emerged a number of fictional writings that depict not only the country’s multiracial context but also imply the existence of a sense of national consciousness and patriotic feelings amongst Malaysians. These writings, this paper suggests, veer away from the communal interest of individual ethnic groups by exploring interracial relationships, returning to historical junctures, assessing the effect of globalization and, finally, conjuring alternative cultural paradigms with the single aim of unifying Malaysians and embedding them with the nationalistic spirit of 1Malaysia.

Item Type: Book Chapter
Additional Information: 2219/25590
Uncontrolled Keywords: Nationalism, multiculturalism, Malaysian literature in English, race, cultural patriotism
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of English Language & Literature
Depositing User: Dr. Aimillia Mohd Ramli
Date Deposited: 29 Oct 2012 11:40
Last Modified: 06 Nov 2012 13:50
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/25590

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