Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Africa, 2002.

This study explores the implications of the post-structuralist discursive theories for a new approach to the study of communication. Drawing on the theories of discourse developed by Foucault and Bourdieu, the study suggests a theoretical framework for a critical analysis of discursive practices. The framework is applied to the analysis of the discourse on pornography in South Africa. The application of the theoretical framework illustrates the utility of such a framework as a method for analysis and critique of discourse and provides insights into the controversy about pornography. The implication of the discursive theories for the study of communication are explored. / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)

Text in Afrikaans / Met die nagaan van die kindverwysing in die poesie van Petra Mulller, blyk dit duidelik dat die verwysings deurgaans literer funksioneel is. Die digteres slaag daarin om die leser se buitekennis van die kind se lewensfeer te ontgin. Die gevolg is die bewusmaking van die vergelyking tussen kind en volwassene as literere gestaltes. Daaruit vloei die besef van die kunstenaar se werk as poging om die wereld te orden en te beskou deur die oe van die onbedorwe kind. Saam met die vele gedigte waar die ontginning van die kindverwysing bloot 'n verfraaiing van die inhoud as gevolg het, word dit as leimotief in Mulller se werk hoogs funksioneel. Die kindverwysing as tegniek word ook herinnering aan die aard van kunstenaarskap soos deur Miuller toegepas. Petra Mulller se oeuvre kan nie los gemaak word van die kindverwysing en die implikasies van die herhaalde gebruikmaking daarvan nie. / When looking at child references in the poetry of Petra Muller, it is obvious that they are literary functional at all times. The poet, as artist, manages to tap the readers' outside knowledge of the child's sphere of life. The result is the foregrounding of the comparison between child and adult resulting in the realisation of the artist's work as an effort to reshape his world by looking at it through the eyes of the unspoilt child. Together with the many poems where child references act mainly as a way of presenting such poems as enjoyable as possible, it becomes extremely functional as a leitmotif. The child reference as used by Muller as poetic technique also becomes reminder to the reader of what art is all about. Petra Muller's poems can not be read separately from the child reference and all it's implications. / Afrikaans & Theory of Literature / M.A. (Afrikaans)

This thesis attempts to examine some of Mqhayi' s literary works to establish their merit in terms of the images that are realised. In the main this necessitates the evaluation of the literary and linguistic qualities of his contributions which include essays and lectures, poetry and the translation of UAdonisi waseNtlango. This thesis further analyses and interprets Mqhayi 's thoughts and ideas regarding politics, economy and religion. Mqhayi gives these a universal image which prevents the critic from viewing him only in an African sense. From this study, specific subjects such as ubuntu, education, Christianity, culture and nation building emerge as the cornerstones of his literary intentions. The thesis also analyses images which are portrayed through skilful use of language and literary devices to determine their relevance in the present South African situation. Mqhayi shows tremendous foresight by interpreting a present situation to determine the future. Some of his predictions which manifest themselves in no uncertain terms at the present moment arc given attention in this study. Mqhayi uses his imbongi poetic licence to criticise and resolve without alienating his people against what he perceives to be wrong in society relating to culture, modern education, politics, economics and Christianity. In his opinion western values should not replace traditional Xhosa values, but a situation of compromise should be created which would result in a reconciliation of traditions. In the analysis and interpretation of his views it becomes clear that his focus and emphasis is on similarities which by far oumumber differences as a yardstick for better understanding. His translations from English literature and especially from Afrikaans (UAdonisi waseNtlanga) which he learned through self-tuition show a concerted attempt to bridge cultural and ideological divisions. In the final analysis the study of Mqhayi, other than revealing his exceptional literary ability establishes his supreme belief mirrored in his essays and poetry, that blacks and whites of this country should seek a radical break vvith the past and embrace the future as a people. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie navorsing berus op die idee dat die tekste in die oeuvre van sommige skrywers op so 'n manier met mekaar verbonde is dat 'n mens dit as 'n eenheid kan begin lees en ervaar. Met Derrida se begrip van genealogiese verwantskap van tekste as vertrekpunt, het ek daardie intertekstuele verbande in J.C. Steyn se oeuvre nagegaan waardeur sy hoorspelteks, poesie- en prosatekste tot 'n verwikkelde weefsel ontwikkel het. Dit het gou duidelik geword dat daar twee hoofstrominge in Steyn se tekste aan die orde kom: 'n motief van persoonlike tekortkominge wat deurwerk na 'n groter sosiale groep toe is van vroeg af duidelik skering en inslag daarin. Reeds in "Die skuldige: 'n hoorspel" (1974) staan die homo­ erotiese geneigdheid van die sentrale karakter in noue verband met die sosio-ekonomiese vraagstuk van die gesin wat al hulle aardse besittinge verloor. Die gedigte in die eerste helfte van Die grammatika van liefhe (1975) word gekenmerk deur die digterspersoonlikheid se sterk weersin teen sy eie tekortkominge; in die laaste gedeelte gaan sy persoonlike gemoeidheid oor in 'n besorgdheid oor die Afrikaner en die voortbestaan van Afrikaans. Van Op pad na die grens (1976) af, oor Dagboek van 'n verraaier (1978) en Die verlore vader (1985) tot en met Hoeke Boerseuns ons was (1991) neem die hoofstrominge van Steyn se tekste duideliker vorm aan: aan die een kant is daar die nasionale problematiek waar hy voortbou op C.J. Langenhoven se Die pad van Suid-Afrika, en die bestaanstryd van die Afrikaner volg tot in die huidige tydsgewrig; aan die ander kant worstel die karakters van sy tekste met persoonlike vraagstukke waaronder veral 'n homo-erotiese geneigdheid waarmee hulle hul nie kan versoen nie. Oorkoepelend vertel Steyn die verhaal van die Afrikaanse elckerlijc wat hom as gevolg van teenstrydige sosiaal-politieke invloede toenemend in 'n toestand van leed, verwarring en geestelike ontreddering bevind. Ten slotte wys ek hoe Steyn deur middel van defiksionalisering in sy tekste homself en die Afrikaner ontmasker. Die invloed daarvan is heilsaam: op persoonlike vlak is dit suiwerend en die stukrag van sy kuns; in die geval van die Afrikaner vervul hy daarmee die rol van die Afrikaner se kollektiewe gewete. / This research is based on the theory that the texts in the oeuvre of certain writers are related to each other in such a way that one can read and experience them as a unity. Using Derrida's concept of the genealogical relationship of texts as a point of departure, I have examined those intertextual relationships in J.C. Steyn's oeuvre in which his radio play, poetry and prose texts have developed to a complicated fabric. It soon becomes clear that two main streams emerge in Steyn's texts: a motif of personal defect which percolates to a larger social group. Already in "Die skuldige: 'n hoorspel" (1974) the homoerotic disposition of the central figure is closely related to the socio-economic problems of the family who lose all their material possessions. The poems in the first half of Die grammatika van liefhe (1975) are characterised by the poetic personality's strong aversion to his own imperfections; in the final part, his personal concern about the Afrikaner and the continued existence of Afrikaans emerge. From Op pad na die grens (1976), through Dagboek van 'n verraaier (1978) and Die verlore vader (1985), up to and including Hoeke Boerseuns ons was (1991), the main streams of Steyn's texts become more clearly discernible: on the one hand, one encounters the national concerns in which Steyn develops themes found in C.J. Langenhoven's Die pad van Suid-Afrika and follows the Afrikaner's struggle for survival to the present juncture; on the other hand, the characters of his texts struggle with personal difficulties such as a propensity to homoeroticism to which they cannot reconcile themselves. An overarching concern of Steyn's is the story of the Afrikaans Everyman who, as a result of conflicting socio-political influences, increasingly finds himself in a state of sorrow, confusion and spiritual collapse. Finally, I reveal how Steyn exposes himself and the Afrikaner in his texts by means of defictionalisation. Its influence is beneficial: at a personal level, it is purifying and is the impetus of Steyn's art; and, in the case of the Afrikaner, it fulfils the role of the Afrikaner's collective conscience. / Afrikaans & Theory of Literature / D. Litt et Phil. (Afrikaans)

Text in German / Classics and Modern European Languages / M.A. (German)

Text in Afrikaans / Spanning tussen stad en platteland is 'n belangrike tema in die oeuvre van S.J. Pretorius. In sy digkuns vergestalt hy en kom die ontwortelde, oorwegend landelike Afrikaanssprekende na die depressie en oorlogsjare aan die woord. Voortdurend word beelde van die "heerlike, gesonde" platteland gevolg deur beelde van die "bedrukkende" stad met al sy sleur en ellendes en die negatiewe uitwerking wat dit op sy inwoners het. As gevolg van die skrille kontraste groei die spanning in intensiteit. Sedert 1953 vind daar 'n mate van houdingsverandering plaas by die sprekers in Pretorius se poesie. Die digter aanvaar in die periode die stad as deel van die Afrikaner se aardse bestel en ontdek die landelike in die stad. vanaf 1963 word nie meer op nostalgiese wyse ge1dealiseer nie, maar word dit gemeld om aan te toon dat die Christelike heilsboodskap hol klink midde die ellende wat in die stad heers. / The tension that exists between country and city is a characteristic theme of the poetry of S.J. Pretorius. In particular, he deals with the "physical-concrete" destiny of the Afrikaans speaking people of the platteland in the city, Johannesburg. Images of a "beautiful and healthy" countryside are contrasted with the "dejected" city, full of tedium and misery. The negative portrayal of the latter serves to heighten the tension between the two. The year 1953 marks a slight change in attitude. From then on the poet accepts the city as part of the Afrikaner identity and strives to find the country within the city. The former is no longer idealized in a nostalgic way. Instead, the poet exposes the hollowness of the Christian promise of salvation in the face of urban poverty and tribulation. / Afrikaans & Theory of Literature / M.A. (Afrikaans)

After a brief contextualisation, time and history are examined in Ackroyd's novels. Chapter 1 examines postmodernism. Chapter 2 explores history perceived as fact and as construct. Chapter 3 investigates the dissolution of the distinction between history and fiction. Chapter 4 analyses the development of 'originality' and the futile search for origin. Chapter 5 examines the interchangeability of fiction and reality. Chapter 6 studies theories on time, focusing on Einstein's theory of relativity. Chapter 7 analyses the coexistence of the past and present, and the relativity of time. Chapter 8 scrutinises the myth of 'mobilities of presence', which facilitates rejuvenation. Chapter 9 considers the relation between time and space necessary for rejuvenation. Chapter 10 looks at simultaneity and the eternal present. It is clear that Ackroyd explores the mobilities of presence of historical and fictional characters, objects, and texts, thus showing that time is a web of simultaneously existing present moments. / English Studies / M.A. (English)

The chief objective of this study is to examine the works of Bruno Jasienski in order to show that he used the grotesque throughout his creative career as the most effective artistic method of highlighting issues he deemed important, as well as a means of disguising his personal view of the world and its people. The study consists of two parts: Part I is devoted to a brief survey of the development of the grotesque, with particular emphasis on the relationship between grotesque art and those artistic movements with which Bruno Jasienski associated himself, namely avant-garde and socialist realism. Part II is devoted to a close examination ofthe grotesque in Jasienski's major works. It opens with a summary and interpretation of Jasienski's personal views on art and its role in modern society. It then seeks to demonstrate that the essence of his grotesque method lies in the conflation of bizarre events with the scrupulous recreation of reality that insists on the accuracy of historically and geographically identifiable data. Such a method permits the artist to expose the absurdity oflife in a world obsessed with appearance and material possessions. Believing that art should be the reflection of life, Jasienski saw life as a constant game between form what it seems to be and content - what it really is - a perception that led him to conclude that it is impossible to resolve the conflict between the world as it appears to be and its true nature. This sense of the impossibility of orientating oneself in a world dominated by ideologies intensifies during the period of Jasieriski' s life that he spent in the Soviet Union. The closer examination of his satiric grotesques written in Russian, apart from explicitly satiric targets, betray the author's growing apprehension that Communism, especially its Stalinist version, might be yet another deceitful far;ade made of promises and alluring slogans. The grotesque character of those works that focus on the opportunism and hypocrisy of politicians, also exposes the ambivalence of ideologies which while liberating some are used as the instrument of oppressing others / Classics and Modern European Languages / D.Litt. et Phil. (Russian)

Die hooffiguur is mev. Maria Elizabeth Rothmann (1875 1975), in die Afrikaanse letterkunde alombekend as M.E.R. Die sleutelbegrippe is Afrikaner en Afrikanernasionalisme. Oor die betekenis van die benaming Afrikaner is daar meningsverskil, maar hier beteken Afrikaner 'n blanke Afrikaanssprekende. Afrikanernasionalisme is oor die afgelope eeu deur leiers soos Kruger, Steyn, Reitz, De la Rey, De Wet, Hertzog, Malan, Strydom en Verwoerd uitgespel. Die tweede hoofstuk bevat 'n aantal verteenwoordigende skrywers en politici se beskouinge oor die Afrikaner en Afrikanernasionalisme. In die derde hoofstuk word M.E.R. se beskouinge in die verband behandel en vergelyk met die menings van Van Wyk Louw, 'n geslag na haar, en J.C. Steyn, 'n geslag na Louw. Degenaar, gebore twee dekades na Louw en 13 jaar voor Steyn, word vernaamlik as klankbord betrek omdat sy siening radikaal verskil van M.E.R., Louw en Steyn s 'n, hoewel Louw na die begin van die jare sestig veel meer "liberaal" geword het. Voorts word M.E.R. se eerstehandse vertellings oor Kruger, Steyn, Hertzog en Verwoerd aan die aanvaarde kenmerke van goeie biografie gemeet. Waar moontlik word haar siening met die drietal vergelyk. 'n Volgende hoofstuk gaan oor M. E. R. se taksering van en deernis vir brandarm Afrikaners, soos vervat in Deel V B van die Carnegie Verslag. Haar verklaring van die oorsake van Afrikanerarmoede word uitgespel. Ook haar betrokkenheid by die Afrikanerkind deur haar talryke kinderboeke word toegelig. Dan volg 'n hoofstuk oor M.E.R. se siening van die Afrikaner se godsdiens. die beurt, waarop M.E.R. se My beskeie Voorts kom volkereverhoudings aan deel as outobiografie van 'n Afrikanervrou bespreek word. Die laaste twee hoof stukke gaan oor die viertal se taal en styl, en~as leermeesters van die Afrikanervolk. Ten slotte word die vier se beskouinge saamgevat. M.E.R. en Steyn glo aan die selfbeskikkingsreg van die Afrikaner. Sedert die begin van die jare sestig het Louw beweer dat die Kaapse bruinmense deel van die Afrikanervolk uitmaak, maar dat daar gebiedskeiding met die swart volke moet wees. Degenaar bepleit 'n unitere staat met die nodige verskansings van regionalisme, 'n handves van menseregte en 'n onafhanklike regbank. / Pride of place belongs to Mrs Maria Elizabeth Rothmann (1875 - 1975), in Afrikaans literature widely known as M.·E.R. The key conceptions are Afrikaner and Afrikanernationalism. Theye are differing opinions about the meaning of the name Afrikaner, but for our purpose it means an Afrikaans speaking white. Afrikaner nationalism has been defined over the past century by leaders like Kruger, Steyn, Reitz, De la Rey, De Wet, Hertzog, Malan, Strydom and Verwoerd. The second chapter portrays the views of some representative authors and politicians on the Afrikaner and Afrikaner nationalism. In the next chapter M.E.R.'s opinion in this regard is discussed and compared and contrasted with the opinions of Louw, a generation after her, and J.C. Steyn, a generation after Louw. Degenaar, born two decades after Louw and thirteen years before Steyn, is used mainly as resonator because his views differ radically from the other three. although Louw turned more "liberal" since the early sixties. Forthwith M. E .R. 's first-hand narratives about Kruger, Steyn, Hertzog and Verwoerd are tested by the accepted standards of good biQJZraphy. Where L.o.tw) Sbe-1vi ....a ~~tLLy. possible her views are compared with those of the trio,.., The next chapter treats M.E.R. 's estimate of and compassion with desperately poor Afrikaners, as portrayed in her Chapter V B of the Carnegie Commission Report. Her indication of the causes of Afrikaner poverty is noted. Her concern with Afrikaner children by way of her many children's books occupies a subsequent chapter. Then follow her views on the Afrikaner's religion and on racial relations, whereafter her My beskeie deel (My allotted portion) is assessed as the autobiography of an Afrikaner woman. The last two chapters discuss the language and style of the four writers concerned as well as their role as teachers of the Afrikaner nation. In conclusion their views are summarised. M.E.R. and Steyn believe in the Afrikaner's right of self-determination. Since the early sixties Louw has regarded the Cape Coloureds as part of the Af rikanervolk, al though he has advocated territorial separation of the Black peoples. Degenaar is in favour of a unitary state entrenched by regionalism, a human rights charter and an independent judiciary. / Afrikaans & Theory of Literature / D. Litt. et Phil. (Afrikaans)