M.A. / Language, specifically the narrative use of language, is not only a medium through which people express and understand themselves. Language is the vehicle wherein and whereby personal identity is constituted. Thus, identity is not seen as fixed, but as a product-in-process of narrative discourse.The interrelationship between narrative and personal identity can be observed in a person`s almost inborn urge to mentally reconstruct his lifestory. Narratives supply personal identity with continuity and cohesion. Ricoeur`s description of the instance of “mimesis” – narratives are “mimesis” in the sense of being the representation of an action – is used to explain the construction of two selfnarratives (Griet Swart in Griet skryf `n sprokie and Stoffel Mathysen in Die lang pad van Stoffel Mathysen). Ricoeur`s two “functions” of narrative, i.e. to expose and to transform, are considered. Griet Swart`s narrative identity is constituted by her being situated in a tradition (mimesis 1 ) – that of being writer of fairy-tales as well as reader of literature. Drawing on conventions and prior knowledge, a plot is created (mimesis 2), in which Griet narrates her lifestory. The narration, the perspective on a patriarchal society as well as the continuous redefining of narrative identity by means of the writing process, are examined. The act of writing becomes metaphor for personal freedom. In Die lang pad van Stoffel Mathysen the use of the epic hero figure, travel prose, Western literature, hunting prose and the outobiography are examined in order to understand Mathysen`s narrative construction of personal identity. Both Griet and Mathysen reconfigure personal identity by means of narrative. It is this process of constant change in self-understanding that Ricoeur calls “narrative identity”.

Bibliography: leaves 266-281. This study of representations of Aboriginality focuses on representations produced by non-Aboriginal people and is concerned with both fictional and non-fictional representations. The focus is on popular texts, categorised according to three representational strategies: primitivisation, problematisation, and spiritualisation of texts, such as the New Age or Christian texts that emphasise the religious or the numimous. The study is concerned with the ways in which these texts use Aboriginality to promote positions, ideas and values that are external or even antithetical to Aboriginal interests.

In Australia, family storytelling and religion, the traditional sources of shared stories, are in decline. Stories are increasingly sourced from books, television, film and the internet. But the research suggests that whilst the sources of stories have changed over time, from family and bible stories to books, radio, television and film, the role of those stories has been constant. It has been argued that there is an important connection between an individual?s perception of their own place in the world, their understanding of what constitutes a good life and how to live it, and their ability to empathise with the lives and problems of others (MacIntyre, 1981; Taylor, 1989; Aristotle, 1996; Kearney, 2002). The research indicates that this core bundle of values, attitudes and beliefs is commonly derived from the stories to which individuals are exposed from an early age. Access to stories with which the individual can personally identify and which are familiar to and shared with those around them is crucial in establishing a satisfactory self-narrative (Polkinghorne, 1988), and to the individual's ability to communicate it successfully through the process of triple mimesis (Ricoeur, 1991/1980). Of crucial importance is access to sharable stories which resemble significant aspects of the recipient's own life and circumstances. Respondents who had endured personal difficulties were more likely to accept their circumstances and live successful lives when they had been able to identify with a story describing a similar problem and its credible resolution. However, individuals who had been unable to identify with a public story and establish a satisfactory self-narrative were more likely to be socially dysfunctional. The research also indicates a correlation between exposure to word-based stories at an early age, and the later development of imagination and ambition. People who only experienced visual stories in their early years appeared less articulate, less able to imagine things beyond their own experience, and were less ambitious in their career aspirations. Australia is an increasingly diverse nation, with a wide and growing variety of cultures, beliefs and circumstances represented in the population. It is argued that to maintain the social health of such a diverse community Australia requires an equally wide variety of public stories to ensure that all sections of the community can find a suitable reflection of their lives and circumstances. / thesis (PhDBusinessandManagement)--University of South Australia, 2005.

Bibliography: leaves 266-281. / 281 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This study of representations of Aboriginality focuses on representations produced by non-Aboriginal people and is concerned with both fictional and non-fictional representations. The focus is on popular texts, categorised according to three representational strategies: primitivisation, problematisation, and spiritualisation of texts, such as the New Age or Christian texts that emphasise the religious or the numimous. The study is concerned with the ways in which these texts use Aboriginality to promote positions, ideas and values that are external or even antithetical to Aboriginal interests. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of English, 2001

Edition commerciale de: Diss. : Berlin : 1995/96. / BA en BAS sans concours. Références bibliographiques p.[307]-321 et index.

Habilitationsschrift--Freie Universität, Berlin, 1976. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 342-347) and index.

In Australia, family storytelling and religion, the traditional sources of shared stories, are in decline. Stories are increasingly sourced from books, television, film and the internet. But the research suggests that whilst the sources of stories have changed over time, from family and bible stories to books, radio, television and film, the role of those stories has been constant. It has been argued that there is an important connection between an individual?s perception of their own place in the world, their understanding of what constitutes a good life and how to live it, and their ability to empathise with the lives and problems of others (MacIntyre, 1981; Taylor, 1989; Aristotle, 1996; Kearney, 2002). The research indicates that this core bundle of values, attitudes and beliefs is commonly derived from the stories to which individuals are exposed from an early age. Access to stories with which the individual can personally identify and which are familiar to and shared with those around them is crucial in establishing a satisfactory self-narrative (Polkinghorne, 1988), and to the individual's ability to communicate it successfully through the process of triple mimesis (Ricoeur, 1991/1980). Of crucial importance is access to sharable stories which resemble significant aspects of the recipient's own life and circumstances. Respondents who had endured personal difficulties were more likely to accept their circumstances and live successful lives when they had been able to identify with a story describing a similar problem and its credible resolution. However, individuals who had been unable to identify with a public story and establish a satisfactory self-narrative were more likely to be socially dysfunctional. The research also indicates a correlation between exposure to word-based stories at an early age, and the later development of imagination and ambition. People who only experienced visual stories in their early years appeared less articulate, less able to imagine things beyond their own experience, and were less ambitious in their career aspirations. Australia is an increasingly diverse nation, with a wide and growing variety of cultures, beliefs and circumstances represented in the population. It is argued that to maintain the social health of such a diverse community Australia requires an equally wide variety of public stories to ensure that all sections of the community can find a suitable reflection of their lives and circumstances. / thesis (PhDBusinessandManagement)--University of South Australia, 2005.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of English, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 266-281.

Habilitationsschrift--Freie Universität, Berlin, 1976. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 342-347) and index.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.