In the field of Nusantaran literary studies, systematic interpretations of individual literary works are still a relatively rare phenomenon. This book shows how such interpretations can be fruitfully produced for traditional Malay literature.
Taking his cue from ideas in modern literary theory, anthropology and the study of western medieval literature, the author describes the major conventions of traditional Malay narrative and develops a comprehensive model of traditional Malay poetics, comprising both oral and written traditions. By applying this model to a series of readings of individual works, including heroic epics and Panji romances, the texts come to life.