Sabinet | Riviere as identiteitskonstrueerders : research article
n Literator : Journal of Literary Criticism, Comparative Linguistics and Literary Studies - Riviere as identiteitskonstrueerders : research article
Source : Literator : Journal of Literary Criticism, Comparative Linguistics and Literary Studies, Volume 27, Issue 3, Dec 2006, p. 51 - 77
Keyword(s) : Construction of identity, Herinneringskuns, Identiteitskonstruksie, Pieterse, Pieter : Manaka : plek van die horings, Postcolonialism, Postkolonialisme, Relationship : human and nature, Reminiscing literature, Van Rooyen, Engela : Met &apos;n eie siekspens and Verhouding : mens en natuur
Rivers and the construction of identity
The collection of youth memories "Met &apos;n eie siekspens" (Engela van Rooyen) and the novel "Manaka : plek van die horings" (Pieter Pieterse) complement each other as literary embodiments of the phenomenon that human life and identity are influenced by an aspect of the characters&apos; natural environment, namely the river. This article focuses on the nature and extent of the influence of rivers on the development of identity in characters in these two works. In "Met &apos;n eie siekspens" the formative role of the Orange River is connected with a complex relationship between man and river in which elements of devotion collide with those of enslavement. The values taught by the river and its surroundings are core components of the characters&apos; identities. In "Manaka : plek van die horings", the main character&apos;s dream of a life on the Zambezi is part of his identity, in that it embodies self-realisation and has directed his thinking and self-image since childhood. The river and its surroundings, however, later on also play an important role in the re-interpretation of his life goal and the acquisition of a wider understanding of his true identity. This investigation underlines the importance of research into the portrayal of the relationship between man and nature within the broader field of study in which the portrayal of matters of identity in Afrikaans literature is investigated.
Die bundel jeugherinneringe "Met &apos;n eie siekspens" (Engela van Rooyen) en die roman "Manaka : plek van die horings" (Pieter Pieterse) vul mekaar aan as literêre vergestalting van die verskynsel dat die menslike lewe en identiteit beïnvloed word deur &apos;n aspek van die karakters se natuurlike omgewing, naamlik die rivier. Hierdie ondersoek fokus op die aard en omvang van die invloed van riviere op die identiteitsvorming van karakters in hierdie twee prosawerke. In "Met &apos;n eie siekspens" hou die vormende rol van die Oranjerivier verband met &apos;n komplekse verbintenis tussen mens en rivier waarbinne elemente van verknogting bots met dié van verknegting. Die lewenswaardes wat die rivier en rivieromgewing die karakters leer, is kernkomponente van hulle identiteit. In "Manaka : plek van die horings" blyk die hoofkarakter se droom oor &apos;n lewe op die Zambezi deel te wees van sy identiteit deurdat dit selfrealisering behels en sy denke en selfbeskouing sedert kindsbeen rig. Die rivier en omgewing speel egter ook &apos;n sentrale rol in die latere herinterpretasie van sy lewensdoel en die verkryging van &apos;n breër begrip van sy ware identiteit. Die ondersoek onderstreep die belang van navorsing oor die uitbeelding van die verhouding tussen mens en natuur binne die groter studieveld waarin die uitbeelding van identiteits-kwessies in die Afrikaanse letterkunde ondersoek word.
Persistent Link : http://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC61938