Thesis (MA (VA))--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The hypothesis of this study is that literary theory and theories concerning space, landscape and the construction of identity, are not only applicable to written texts, but also to visual texts. To prove this, the relevant theories were applied in the analyses of four selected Afrikaans and Dutch picture books, as well as to my own picture book, the practical component of this MA study. Space, which is transformed into landscape when observation becomes perception, interacts with the construction of identity in texts in different ways, inter alia because changes regarding space lead to changes regarding identity. Although social identity (how others see us) is important, it can lead to stereotyping, while a focus on selfidentity (how we see ourselves) is conducive in treating children as individuals – as is done regarding adults – with a wide variety of interests and inclinations. Space, landscape and the construction of identity are important vehicles to convey meaning in narratives – not only in literature for adults, but also in picture books, where it can play a role in both written text and illustrations to bring extra depth and dimension. Illustrations are most frequently in a complementary relationship with words because they activate additional meaning, but it can also convey messages in a contrapuntal or even contradictory manner. The utilization of these aspects links with the fact that many South African and Dutch writers and illustrators are of the opinion that both children and adults enjoy really successful children’s books. This study indicates that the use of theories on landscape and identity in the analyses of picture books can lead to the discovery of deeper meanings, which show the literary merit of the texts. In this regard, illustrations should not be regarded as having only an aesthetic, supplementary function, but should be appreciated as an equal partner in conveying meaning, which gives an extra dimension to picture books. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hipotese in hierdie studie is dat literêre teorie en ander teorieë rakende ruimte en landskap, asook identiteitskonstruksie, nie net van toepassing is op geskrewe tekste nie, maar ook op visuele tekste. Om dit te bewys, is die relevante teorieë toegepas in die analise van vier gekose Afrikaanse en Nederlandse prenteboeke, asook van my eie prenteboek as praktiese komponent van dié Magisterstudie. Ruimte, wat getransformeer word tot landskap wanneer waarneming oorgaan in gewaarwording, hang op verskillende maniere saam met identiteitskonstruksie in tekste, onder andere deurdat ’n verandering in ruimte ook ʼn verandering in identiteit tot gevolg het. Hoewel sosiale identiteit (hoe ander ’n individu of groep sien) belangrik is, kan dit lei tot stereotipering. Daarteenoor lig ’n fokus op self-identiteit (hoe individue hulself sien) uit dat kinders, net soos volwassenes, as individue gesien moet word met ʼn wye verskeidenheid belangstellings en smake. Ruimte, landskap en identiteitskonstruksie is belangrike betekenisdraers in narratiewe – nie alleen in literatuur vir volwassenes nie, maar ook in prenteboeke, waar dit in beide die geskrewe teks én in die illustrasies ’n rol kan speel om ekstra diepte en dimensie te verleen. Die illustrasies staan meestal in ’n komplementêre verhouding tot die woorde deurdat dit bydra tot betekenisverruiming, maar dit kan ook kontrapuntale of selfs teenstrydige boodskappe oordra. Die ontginning van hierdie tipe aspekte sluit aan by die feit dat heelwat Suid-Afrikaanse én Nederlandse skrywers en illustreerders meen dat ʼn werklik suksesvolle kinderboek deur beide kinders en volwassenes geniet kan word. Uit die ondersoek blyk dat die analise van prenteboeke aan die hand van teorieë oor landskap en identiteit kan lei tot die uitlig van dieper betekenisse, wat die letterkundige waarde van prenteboeke bevestig. Illustrasies het hierby nie bloot ’n estetiese funksie as aanvulling tot die geskrewe teks nie, maar kan beskou word as volwaardige draers van betekenis wat ’n waardevolle ekstra dimensie aan prenteboeke verleen.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Young learners with reading and writing difficulties cannot reach their full potential in school. Teachers, parents and illustrators of children’s books cannot assume the efficacy of illustrations as an aid in developing reading skills as a matter of course. Pierre Bourdieu’s habitus theory explains perceptual diversity. Illustrations, as varied visual contexts, can be interpreted in different ways and, therefore, also provoke different meanings. The thesis proposes that the young learner should be provided with a diversity of visual stimulants. The thesis proposes that such visual stimulants comprise multiple characterising in illustrated form. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Jong leerders met lees- en skryfprobleme kan nie hul volle potensiaal bereik nie. Onderwysers, ouers en illustreerders van kinderboeke kan nie die effektiwiteit van illustrasies as hulpmiddel in die ontwikkeling van leesvaardighede as vanselfsprekend aanvaar nie. Pierre Bourdieu se habitusteorie verduidelik perseptuele verskille in die registrasie van beeld en teks. Illustrasies, as gevarieerde visuele kontekste kan op verskillende maniere geïnterpreteer word en daarom roep dit verskillende betekenisse op. Die tesis stel voor dat die jong leerder variasies in visuele stimulante behoort te ontvang. Die tesis stel ook voor dat sodanige visuele stimulante multikarakterisering in geïllustreerde vorm behels.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study comprises a comparative visual analysis of three picture books, illustrated by Steven Kellogg, Posy Simmonds and Edward Gorey. The illustrators reinterpret the cautionary tale, Matilda, who told lies and was burned to death by Hilaire Belloc (1908). Not only does this study present a brief historical overview of the genre but it also interrogates the manner in which different styles of illustration underscore the pedagogical didactic narrative. The visual interpretations of these three illustrators are compared in order to establish whether or not they have succeeded in sustaining the subversive or grotesque elements of this cautionary tale. Belloc’s narrative as well as the illustrations are analysed in terms of gender. I discuss my own version of Belloc’s cautionary tale as a parody of this tale that serves to exaggerate the sometimes overt gendering of girl characters in cautionary tales. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie skripsie behels die visuele analise van drie verskillende prenteboeke, onderskeidelik geillustreer deur Steven Kellogg, Posy Simmonds en Edward Gorey. Al drie illustreerders bied ʼn visuele herinterpretasie aan van die vermaan-vers Matilda, who told lies and burned to death deur Hilaire Belloc. Die skripsie bied nie net ʼn geskiedkundige oorsig oor die genre nie, maar ondersoek die manier waarop verskillende illustrasie-style die opvoedkundige, didaktiese narratief onderstreep. Die illustreerders se prenteboeke word vergelyk en daar word vasgestel of hulle daarin geslaag het om die subversiewe en selfs groteske elemente in hierdie vermaan-verhaal te behou. Belloc se narratief en die illustrasie daarvan is ook in terme van gender geanaliseer. Ek bespreek my eie weergawe van Belloc se vermaan-verhaal, wat ek aanbied as ʼn parodie om die soms duidelike “gendering” van meisie-karakters in vermaan-verhale te oordryf.