Submitted in fullfillment of the requirements fot the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of African languages at the University of Zululand, 1994. / This study has been made possible by our desire to analyse critically p.B.Z.Ntuli's poetic contributions. An examination of the various themes covered by Ntuli in his poetry received our particular attention and scrutiny. Emphasis was, however, on the techniques this literary artist has used to relay meaning to his readers. An attempt was made to assess and evaluate his poetry in order to examine more closely the degree of Ntuli's success in the delivery of meaning to his audience. It is hoped that in the final analysis, this study will spell out some of the devices or techniques that can effectively portray meaning in Zulu poetry. The first chapter gives in brief outline what our aim in this study is. Our concern over the rigid following of Western structural poetic patterns, at the expense of the primary essentials of poetry, has been indicated. An attempt has also been made to map out, in brief, the scope and approach and direction that we shall follow in the scrutiny of meaning in Ntuli's poetry. The second chapter deals with the theme on historic events in mankind - those unforgettable events that befell the people in general or a particular portion of the society. Events through tragic accidents and those religiously based have been treated. In the third chapter we shall look closely into those poems that deal with a musical theme. These range from mere appreciation of music to the glorification of a particular composer. The discussion in the fourth chapter is prompted by the poet's love and appreciation of nature. This chapter therefore, explores those poems on the theme on nature. The fifth chapter handles poems on the religious theme. These range from the ordinary praise of God's creation to fears about the final judgement day. In chapter six we examine poems on water. Rain-water as a source of life as well as severe effects of drought have been given our attention. In the penultimate seventh chapter we shall scrutinise the poems that explore the death theme. The eighth and final chapter will be a general conclusion which will contain the main findings and observations made in this study.

Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements of the Honours Degree in the Department of African Languages at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1997. / Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukukhanyisa ukuthi ubunkondlo butholakala kanjani enkondlweni. Luzophawula ngezinyathelo ezithathwa umhluzi uma ehluza inkondlo. Lolu cwaningo luzobheka nokubumbeka kwengaphandle lalezi zinkondlo ezilandelayo : Inhlekelele YaseCoalbrook, Sithi Halala, Kuyona Ie ngabadi. Luhlose ukuveza izinto ezithatha amehlo abafundi. Igama elithi izinto liqondise ezigabeni ezakha inkondlo. Uma uzibheka zibunjwe ngezindlela ezahlukene. Libuye liqondise emigqeni eyakhe inkondlo. Le migqa yakhiwe ngenani elahlukene lamagama. Uma weqisa amehlo esakhiweni salezi zinkondlo, uthola ukuthi izinhlamvu ezakhe amagama nazo zehlukene ngamanani. Ekujuliseni amehlo uyakubona ukuvumelana nokuxhumana komsebenzi wale mbongi.

This dissertation focuses on the textual analysis of the representation of female and male characters in the drama book Ishashalazi, based on the two drama stories: Kwakuhle kwethu! and Umninimuzi. Both of these stories depict male and female characters differently. The findings of this study suggest that the representation of male characters in the selected stories is generally in line with patriarchal attitudes and reflect women's suppression. Male characters are positively represented by most texts and reflect triumph, intelligence, and strength and these forms of representation affirm the traditionally held beliefs about men as rulers and heads of families. On the contrary, this study finds that the representation of women differs greatly from that in which males are represented. Women are given feminine roles represented negatively as failures or as being capricious and disrespectful of social norms. The division of labour into gender-hyper-specific roles widens the gap of differences in the representation of female and male characters. Situated in the imbalance representation is culture. Texts and Ishashalazi in particular, echo unequal representation of male and female characters by promoting the observation of cultural principles in the roles played by characters. African culture is the major phenomenon that promotes patriarchy and ensures that women remain suppressed by the rule of men. Such processes are perpetuated by texts that we read every day. Texts are powerful means of sending messages. It is through texts that social actions and processes are interpreted and acted. Thus textual meaning is both visible and invisible. Through analysis of the two drama plays the hidden meaning of text is disclosed and it is through this analysis that actions that promote the marginalization of women are challenged. Family is one of the institutions where women are oppressed on the pretext of culture (Cameron. 1990). The findings of this study allude to Cameron's observation that the roles assigned to female characters serve as a valuable clue to the constitution of women's silence. Roles represented by female characters in Ishashalazi do not gain the respect of the greater community instead, some (such as women who violate cultural principles) actually damage the reputation of women and tarnish their image. Thus culture oppresses women while giving opportunities to their male counterparts to dominate and exercise authority over women. It is with such social actions and processes that this study concerns itself. Sexist language and stereotypes used by society continue to pose problems that reflect negatively on women. In responding to such challenges this study analyses the representation of female and male characters from a feminist standpoint and calls for the emancipation of women and children. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

M.A. (African Languages) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Chapter 1 outlines the aim of the study, research methodology, delimitation of scope and the definition of some terms. This is followed by a list of Zulu short stories which Ntuli has already contributed. His other contributions in circles outside the writing of fiction are also acknowledged. Finally, tribute is paid to some contributions made by Ntuli as an endeavour to uplift the standard of Zulu writing. In Chapter 2 plot structure is discussed. This is followed by an in-depth semiotic analysis of some short stories. Chapter 3 deals with the different narration techniques employed by the author in his short stories. Chapter 4 differentiates between actors and characters. Different methods of character portrayal are investigated. Chapter 5 concludes this dissertation by summarising the main finding of this study. It also brings forth some conclusions with regard to literary merit of Ntuli's short stories and his contribution to Zulu literature. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

Chapter 1 outlines the aim of the study, research methodology, delimitation of scope and the definition of some terms. This is followed by a list of Zulu short stories which Ntuli has already contributed. His other contributions in circles outside the writing of fiction are also acknowledged. Finally, tribute is paid to some contributions made by Ntuli as an endeavour to uplift the standard of Zulu writing. In Chapter 2 plot structure is discussed. This is followed by an in-depth semiotic analysis of some short stories. Chapter 3 deals with the different narration techniques employed by the author in his short stories. Chapter 4 differentiates between actors and characters. Different methods of character portrayal are investigated. Chapter 5 concludes this dissertation by summarising the main finding of this study. It also brings forth some conclusions with regard to literary merit of Ntuli's short stories and his contribution to Zulu literature. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

This study deals with weather symbolism in DBZ Ntuli's literature. Chapter one describes the aim, biography of DBZ Ntuli, definition of important literary concepts, the scope and the methodology. Chapter two considers the symbolic use of mist, fog, overcast weather and clouds. Each of these aspects is defined and is studied under each genre, i.e. in terms of its use by Ntuli in prose, drama and poetry. Chapter three explores the symbolic usage of rain, thunder and the rainbow in all the genres in which Ntuli writes. Chapter four deals with the imagery of the sun. The sun is shown as exhibiting three distinct levels of heat: mild, hot and extremely hot. Chapter five deals with the symbol of cold weather. Its aspects can be perceived on two levels: cold weather and extremely cold weather. Chapter six is a general conclusion that reveals the outcome of the research, observations and the recommendations. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

This is a semantic study, dealing with style and technique in the short stories of D. B. Z. Ntuli. The study as a whole analyses Ntuli' s first six volumes of short stories. The first chapter is an introduction, dealing with the aim of the study. The second sub-section after aim is Ntuli's biographical notes. Full details of this author from high school attendance to his contribution during his working experience are given. Ntuli's biography is followed by the scope of study. Under this sub-heading, short story volumes to be analysed are clearly stated. The fourth sub-heading is the method of approach and a conclusion. Chapter two deals with various types of repetition, a literary technique. It analyses Ntuli's use of language, and repetition of sentences approaching it from different angles. Chapter three and four deal with choice of words. The former chapter handles the various types of language elements semantically and the latter deals specifically with the ideophone. The ideophone is sub-divided into two sub-sections: classification and usage. Chapter five deals with proverbial expressions and these are sub-divided into two sections: idioms and proverbs. The usage of idiomatic expressions is discussed under: verbs, nouns and qualificatives, while the proverbs are analysed under classification and syntax. Imagery is dealt with in chapter six. Imagery is further sub-divided into four categories: metaphor, simile, personification and symbolism. Style and structure are discussed in chapter seven. In this chapter various elements of language forms are handled: types of sentenceidiophonic; negative forms of the ideophone, with conjunctives; sentences with adverbs; the demonstratives; titles of short story volumes and naming of characters. Chapter eight is the general conclusion, reflecting on Ntuli's style and technique with special emphasis on his unique use of the language. Reference is made to discoveries regarding the author's use of vocabulary, and his techniques in using repetition as well as avoiding it, which is part of his style. His choice of words and how he arranges them on paper is also discussed. Ntuli's choice of titles in naming his short story volumes is summed up showing that these have been influenced by his background. The study concludes by suggesting areas that still require further analysis in Ntuli 's short stories. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

This study deals with weather symbolism in DBZ Ntuli's literature. Chapter one describes the aim, biography of DBZ Ntuli, definition of important literary concepts, the scope and the methodology. Chapter two considers the symbolic use of mist, fog, overcast weather and clouds. Each of these aspects is defined and is studied under each genre, i.e. in terms of its use by Ntuli in prose, drama and poetry. Chapter three explores the symbolic usage of rain, thunder and the rainbow in all the genres in which Ntuli writes. Chapter four deals with the imagery of the sun. The sun is shown as exhibiting three distinct levels of heat: mild, hot and extremely hot. Chapter five deals with the symbol of cold weather. Its aspects can be perceived on two levels: cold weather and extremely cold weather. Chapter six is a general conclusion that reveals the outcome of the research, observations and the recommendations. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

This is a semantic study, dealing with style and technique in the short stories of D. B. Z. Ntuli. The study as a whole analyses Ntuli' s first six volumes of short stories. The first chapter is an introduction, dealing with the aim of the study. The second sub-section after aim is Ntuli's biographical notes. Full details of this author from high school attendance to his contribution during his working experience are given. Ntuli's biography is followed by the scope of study. Under this sub-heading, short story volumes to be analysed are clearly stated. The fourth sub-heading is the method of approach and a conclusion. Chapter two deals with various types of repetition, a literary technique. It analyses Ntuli's use of language, and repetition of sentences approaching it from different angles. Chapter three and four deal with choice of words. The former chapter handles the various types of language elements semantically and the latter deals specifically with the ideophone. The ideophone is sub-divided into two sub-sections: classification and usage. Chapter five deals with proverbial expressions and these are sub-divided into two sections: idioms and proverbs. The usage of idiomatic expressions is discussed under: verbs, nouns and qualificatives, while the proverbs are analysed under classification and syntax. Imagery is dealt with in chapter six. Imagery is further sub-divided into four categories: metaphor, simile, personification and symbolism. Style and structure are discussed in chapter seven. In this chapter various elements of language forms are handled: types of sentenceidiophonic; negative forms of the ideophone, with conjunctives; sentences with adverbs; the demonstratives; titles of short story volumes and naming of characters. Chapter eight is the general conclusion, reflecting on Ntuli's style and technique with special emphasis on his unique use of the language. Reference is made to discoveries regarding the author's use of vocabulary, and his techniques in using repetition as well as avoiding it, which is part of his style. His choice of words and how he arranges them on paper is also discussed. Ntuli's choice of titles in naming his short story volumes is summed up showing that these have been influenced by his background. The study concludes by suggesting areas that still require further analysis in Ntuli 's short stories. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)