Common Characteristics of Sri Lankan English Love Poetry

Abstract

Sri Lankan English literature has evolved considerably since independence, gaining the attention and contribution of many literary critics. Even though Sri Lankan English Literature has been explored in diverse ways, a sustained scholarly discussion on Sri Lankan English love poetry is still to be developed. It is in this context that the researchers examine the common characteristics of Sri Lankan English love poetry. In this regard, selected love poems of four poets, Patrick Fernando, Lakdasa Wikkramasinha, Vihanga Perera and Vivimarie VanderPoorten will be examined as they display a cross chronology. The main objective of this study is to make a comparison of the selected poems in order to identify their common characteristics in terms of the perspective and cultural milieu and diction. Moreover, the study also aims to investigate whether these poems reflect the respective sociocultural background. Previous research on Sri Lankan English literature has attempted to discern the relationship between the native and the foreign cultures and the usage of Sri Lankan English to portray various themes of Sri Lankan English poetry. The analysis of common characteristics of Sri Lankan English love poetry has not gained much attention in research, a gap which this study attempts to address. In analyzing the poems, content analysis and literary survey will be employed as the methodology. Studies of this nature will contribute to a scholarly discussion on the love poetry of Sri Lankan English Literature.