Urban way of life in Myanmar Women Writers’ selected literary works วิถีเมืองในวรรณกรรมคัดสรรของนักเขียนหญิงพม่า

Abstract

The selection of Ma Sandar’s 'Bawa Eai-met Pann Eai-met (Reality and Illusion)' and Nu Nu Yi (Innwa)’s 'Mya Sein Pyar Kamaryut (Emerald Green and Blue Kamaryut)' for the study of the urban way of life in Yangon through the framework of modern urbanism theory was based on their unique perspectives on private spaces and urban living. These works provide valuable insights into the portrayal of private spaces. Private spaces, such as apartment buildings, play a crucial role in facilitating interactions and relationships among the characters. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) has been rapidly developing the city by approving the construction of residential buildings in response to urban growth. Yangon is witnessing the emergence of numerous apartment buildings and condominiums, which are collectively shaping the iconic “city’s skyline” and altering the urban landscape. In contrast to the global trend in modern cities, Yangon does not support the unique cultural identities and personal freedoms of individuals, as evidenced by the restrictive regulations on cultural expression and limited personal freedoms as highlighted in Ma Sandar’s and Nu Nu Yi (Innwa)’s literary works. Despite being designed to promote individuality and separation, these spaces paradoxically diminish the characters' sense of self and individuality within their private sectors, creating a stark contrast to the intended purpose. Through their interactions and activities in private spaces, such as apartment buildings and condominiums, the characters actively negotiate and shape the modern city’s identity, applying old customs and influencing the development of the urban landscape. In Yangon, the private spaces of its residents’ exhibit traits such as communal gathering areas that align more closely with public spaces, creating a blend of private and old custom or rural pattern dynamics in urban planning, fostering a sense of rural community, and shared experiences among the residents.