Writing within,without,about Sri Lanka

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Paola Brusasco’s study provides a fresh perspective on Sri Lankan literature in English, delving into the cultural, social, and linguistic issues underlying the country's ethnic conflict. By examining two Burgher writers with distinct personal histories, Brusasco addresses themes of cartography, history, and language that shape identity. Ondaatje and Muller, both considered "outsiders"—Ondaatje through his diasporic experience and Muller through his unique position in a divided nation—illustrate the impact of British colonialism and the redefinition of identity post-independence in 1948. Brusasco aims to challenge existing theoretical frameworks regarding these authors, making the study accessible to both academic and general audiences, while also situating Sri Lankan literature within the broader context of South Asian studies in English. The analysis includes Ondaatje’s works such as The English Patient and Anil’s Ghost, alongside Muller’s “Burgher trilogy” and Colombo: A Novel, drawing on the writings of Gramsci, Foucault, Bhabha, Said, and White. Notably, Brusasco explores language and translatability through cross-cultural and deconstructionist lenses, addressing the complexities of Sinhala and Tamil relations, the local variety of English, and their social implications.