The Influence of D. H. Lawrance to the works of Gunadasa Amarasekara

Abstract

An immense contribution was made by Gunadasa Amarasekara to Sinhala novels, hort stories, Poem and Literature. He is an erudite writer belonging to the Peradeniya discipline. Most of Amarasekara's early literary creations reflect the influence of local classical literature, folk literature as well as western literature. D. H. Lawrence could be identified as the writer who most influenced Amaraskekara. He was largely nurtured by the poems, short stories, novels and the critical writings of Lawrence. This is evident in his language, subject matter and the view of life presented in his early poems and novels. Works of Lawrence were controversial largely in the western literary world. In the same manner, Amarasekara's writings with the influence of Lawrance also were subjected too much controversy locally. It could be understood through a comparative investigation of the works of Lawrence and Gunadasa Amarasekara by paying attention towards the present social background. Specially, this paper hopes to examine how Amarasekara had been influenced by DH Lawrence through a comparison of two texts, Yali Upannami (re-birth) by Amarasekara and Sons and Lovers of Lawrance. Yali Upannami caused an uproar in the Sinhala literary circles and Amarasekara was branded a blind follower of Lawrence. Several critics attempted to describe the relationship between Amarasekara and Lawrence. This paper seeks analyse this relationship further with deeper insights and the researcher’s own perspective. The characterization, plots and language usages will be discussed through a comparative approach.