A perpetual sense of loss-cultural dislocation in Singapore

Abstract

This thesis will look at literary works by authors of two different generations, who both represent the effe.cts of cultural dislocation in Singapore. The paper will focus specifically on the fragmentation of people from their ethnic identity, inter-ethnic tensions and the estrangement between people of different social backgrounds. The paper will show that there is a clear continuity in this theme from the 1980s to the 21st Century. While the theme continues, the nature of the dislocation and how it is expressed changes from the 1980s to the 21st Century. The theme is treated differently by the respective authors as well. Both writers argue how because of the ruling party's version of modernization, cultural dislocation is inevitably perpetuated in the multicultural Singapore space, while both writers assert the futility in conquering the alienation, at certain junctures suggest the power of deep human connections in overcoming it.