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Theme and character : some reflections on the historical context of the Ndebele novel

According to Chiwome, ' ... a writer's social vislon is a soclo-spiritual and historical
product. A response to a complex process of Indoctrination' (1996: 16).The
response can be a reaction depending on whose interests the issue is considered.
The Ndebele novelist finds himself caught in the crossfire between two great
traditions. He tries to be true to his background while still having to do justice to his
newly acquired skill of graphically presenting his thoughts, feelings, and experiences
He is a Victim of socio-political systems bent on giving education which moulds the
mind to built-in- choices. Both poilitical eras use the printed word to further their
ideologies . The Ndebele novelist finds himself having to remould his artistic genius if
he is to fit in. In the process the goals of novelistic practice are missed.
The novel will not communicate effectively since it has to answer to particular
external forces. These forces derive,' ... from the urge of power to protect itself, to
perpetuate itself, to prevail' (Chiwome 1996 :22).
On the threshold of the two eras, the novel becomes a political statement. It Is this
political aspect of the novel which continues to create what Chiwome (1996) has
called creative timidity and mediocrity. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/15668
Date07 1900
CreatorsNtabeni, Sally-Susan
ContributorsMsimang, C. T.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Format1 online resource (150 pages)

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