ภาวะสมัยใหม่ในวรรณกรรมของมาลัย ชูพินิจ

Abstract

This thesis aims to study modernity in Malai Chupinij's Literary works, which was written between 1927–1963. The results of the research on modernity in Thai society, according to the author's point of view, found that there are 4 issues as follows: 1. Concept of scientific inquiry as the key to knowledge, answer questions by showing empirical evidence and using rational reason while still retaining some of the Thai knowledge and values. 2. Concept of liberty which focus on humanity as an individual while still values some morality that controls society. 3. Concept of nation and government which shows the acceptance of the designation of nations, govern by the selection of representatives and expect the members of the nation to act for the nation as joint owners while still emphasize goodness of the rulers and ignore their social status 4. The concept of urban development and the problems from transition to capitalism in urban society. Furthermore, there is the concepts which represent the rural development by using modernization concepts of the state and the outsider but still remain the traditional values of rural people who believe that the development can go along with the capitalism as well. Therefore, the modernity that appears in Malai Chupinij's literary works is not the modern conditions that originated from entire westernization. Responding to the new concepts in Thai society is independent learning. It does not be completely set or developed by the Westerners as happened in the colonial territories. In this way, some traditional concepts in Thai society still have the influence on the people, not suddenly demolished. Malai Chupinij presents a response to modernity from the West but not accept all of Western modernity. The modernity of Malai Chupinij is therefore different from the modernity of western society. It has specific characteristics according to the context of Thai society. The author uses this modern state to be an implement to express his views, expectations, and ideals in order to lead to the good society or the ideal society as his concept