The Poetics of Composure: Self-Regulation and Nostalgia in Taufiq Rafat’s Poetry

Abstract

Nostalgia manifests as a poignant, bittersweet yearning for the past, where in individuals fondly recall transient moments, places, and experiences that shape human identity amidst the inevitable currents of change and loss. Far from being a mere passive recollection, the self-Regulation theory of nostalgia, pioneered by Constantine Sedikides, reconceptualizes this phenomenon as a vital psychological mechanism. This framework posits that nostalgic reflection actively fortifies self-continuity, fosters existential stability, and elevates positive affect, thereby enabling individuals to navigate stress, loneliness, and disruptive life transitions. This emotional equilibrium is profoundly mirrored in the literary oeuvre of Taufiq Rafat, specifically within his seminal anthologies, Arrival of the Monsoon: Collected Poems 1947-78 (1985) and Half Moon: Poems 1979-1983 (2008), which chronicle the mutating landscapes of Pakistani culture, nature, and rustic traditions. By evaluating Rafat’s selected poems “Snapshot of My Father”, “The Last Visit”, “Once upon a Time”, “A Positive Region”, “Death of a Carpenter”, “The Old City”, and “Elegy for a Town”, through this psychological paradigm, this study investigates how his verses operationalize memory as a tool for emotional self-Regulation. Ultimately, this research posits that nostalgia in Rafat’s poetry transcends mere romanticized retrospection, it functions as a critical emotional conduit between the past and present, equipping the collective consciousness to resist the alienating pressures of modernity while remaining resolutely anchored to its cultural roots.

Key Words: Self-regulation, emotional nostalgia, familial nostalgia, personal nostalgia, eco-nostalgia, cultural nostalgia, urban nostalgia

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20615813