Taufiq Rafat as an Asian Romantic: A Critical Analysis of Poetry Collection ‘Arrival of the Monsoon‘

Farhana Tabassum; Hina Rafique; Saadia Mahmood ul Hassan

doi:10.47205/jdss.2020(1-IV)2

Taufiq Rafat as an Asian Romantic: A Critical Analysis of Poetry Collection ‘Arrival of the Monsoon‘

Authors

Farhana Tabassum

Senior Lecturer, University Institute of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Hina Rafique

Assistant Professor, Government Post Graduate College for Women, Satellite Town Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan

Saadia Mahmood ul Hassan

Senior Lecturer, Department of Sports Sciences & Physical Education, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2020(1-IV)2

Keywords

Asian Romantic Poet Escapism Ordinary Language Romanticism

Abstract

In a time of rapid changes and innovations in the style of poetry this present research endeavors to discern the British romantic elements in Taufiq’s 1stcollection of poetry “Arrival of the Monsoon”. Taufiq Rafat is a renowned Pakistani poet, writing in the English language. This study proceeds to analyse his poetry through the lens of British Romanticism. It is the blend of characteristics of British Romanticism and his localised flavour which earned his poetry a peculiar style and touch. From the descriptive beauty of nature and simplicities of rural life to tracing of nostalgic yearnings and portrayal of vivid graphic natural imagery, he appears as a romantic poet. Thus, he not only explored the subtleties of romanticism but also infused them with Asian culture. The study manifests that Rafat’s poetry exhibits features of British romanticism rather than going a step ahead, his poetic descriptions are steeped in a Pakistani tinge.