Abstract:
This thesis is an analytical study of Niras Khamklon (poetic narrative) of the Ratanakosin Period from the reign of Rama V to the present time. These 112 selections are studied in terms of their poetic forms, content, presentation, and style. The study reveals that Niras Khamklon during this period are of 2 types, those written in one form verse klon, and those written in klon and other different forms of verse. In general, the subject-matter of Niras consists of introduction, main content and conclusion. The introductory part invocation to patron gods and expression of gratitude to mentors, creation of the atmosphere, reasons of the journey, time of departure, means of transportation, the purpose of the poem, the first spot passed by, and finally advice given by elders before the departure. The second part describes various sights during the journey, the poets emotions, feelings and attitudes. The last part tells of the arrival at the destination, the reunion with the loved one, the poets purpose restated, the poets well wishing and his aspiration, lessons to be learned. Niras is a fund of information on life and society of the time and there are lessons to be drawn concerning society and religion. In terms of presentation, three techniques are used: description, question and answer, and dialogue. These different techniques make Niras Khamklon interesting. The art of Niras Khamklon during this period, the diction and style, stirs the imagination, creates beautiful scenery and makes the poetry melodious. In comparing Niras Khamklon as composed in the time before Rama V with those composed in his reign to the present time, we can conclude that there both similarities and differences. The five similarities lie in the revelation of the poets mind, the description of the journey, influence from other pieces of literature dreaming, and lamenting combined with a supposed journey away from the lover. The two differences can be seen in attitudes towards society and a parody of diction used in other works of literature. Next, as for the contents of Niras of both periods, the subject-matter of the introduction and that of the conclusion are somerwhat similar while the subject matters of the main theme are different. Speaking about techniques used, diction and style are the same whereas the details in the description of the journey are different. Niras Khamklon composed before Rama V give more details when describing nature. As for/theme and presentation, some Niras khamklon use lament as their main theme whereas others use detailed description. Niras of both period are similar in that they are presented in the of description and dialogue but the works of the period being analysed are different because they are presented in the form of question and answer. The question answer technique is used more in Niras Khamklon of the time studied. The most significant difference is that Niras Khamklon of this period emphasizes social criticism more strongly. In doing this research, the researcher would like to suggest that other kinds of Niras such as Niras Knamchan of Niras in prose should be studied to see trends in composing Niras in the later periods.