Exploring Afterlife Myth in Shehan Karunatilaka’s The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida(2022)

Abstract

The current research focuses into ShehanKarunatilaka ‘s novel “ The Seven Moons Maali Almeida ” , exploring the afterlife myth. It draws upon the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka to examine the intricate construction of the concept of life after death within the narrative. It also addresses the interplay between culture, religion, and existentialism and how they influence the characters' encounters and perceptions of life after death in terms of social norms and the author's literary approach. By applying the existentialist theory, this study confirms the hypothesis of reflecting the impact of Sri Lankan cultural and religious beliefs, shedding light on the intersection of spirituality and everyday life, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of this novel, its characters, and particularly the complex interaction between the concepts of life and death.