สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

«“√ “√ √“™∫— ≥±‘ µ¬ ∂“π ªï ∑’Ë Û ©∫— ∫∑’Ë Ú ‡¡.¬.-¡‘ .¬. ÚıÙ¯ 505 ®‘ πµπ“ ¥”√ß§å ‡≈‘ » Abstract Looking Forward by Sriburapha Chintana Damronglerd Associate Fellow of the Academy of Arts, The Royal Institute, Thailand Looking Forward is regarded as the best novel among all the works of Sriburapha. It consists of two parts: the Early Age and the Middle Age. The story in the first part, the Early Age, is set prior to the political change of 1932. The main character, Chantha Nondindaeng, is the son of a poor farmer from one of the Northeastern provinces. Fortunately an aristocrat, Chao Khun Abhibanrajathani, takes him into his care and sends him to school in Bangkok. In the Early Age part, the author compares and contrasts the images of the life of severe poverty of a common country man of the times to the wealthy lifestyle of the people in the capital, all through the eyes of Chantha as he begins his new life in the new school. There he finds two new friends: Nithat and Seng. Nithat is an extrovert-intelligent, outspoken, independent and brave-from a normal middle class family. Seng, on other hand, is a quiet bookworm who excels in mathematics and is the son of a Chinese clock maker. The Middle Age starts after the political change over from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy. The new government’s promises create a positive environment all over the country. For the first time the people feel the joy of democracy and freedom. Chantha works at the Interior Ministry. Nithat works as a teacher at their school while, along with Chantha, pursues a Bachelor Degree at Thammasat University. Seng becomes a journalist. After college, Chantha returns to his hometown and becomes an Assitant District Attorney. He settles down, marrying Nithat’s little sister, Phayom. Nithat wins a scholarship to go to England for a Graduate Degree in Law. Once World War II starts, the government revokes the Constitution. Marshall Law is declared in December of 1941. Mass arrests and detentions of people who pose a threat to the new regime are issued-journalists are one of the professions on the list. This part of the story ends when Seng is arrested in his home on January of 1942. Key words : Looking Forward, Sriburapha, Thai novels