Thesis (MA (English))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis will examine representations of the Rwandan genocide and its
aftermath in selected literary and filmic narratives. It aims in particular to explore
the different ways in which narrative devices are used to convey trauma to the
reader or viewer, thus enabling them to bear witness to it. These include
language, discourse, image, structure and perspectives, on the one hand, and
the framing of the genocide on screen, on the other hand. The thesis argues that
these narrative devices are used to provide partial insight into the trauma of the
genocide and/or to produce empathy or distance between readers and viewers
and the victims, perpetrators and survivors of the genocide. Particular attention
is paid to the ways in which the selected novels and films advance the human
dimension of the genocide. This will shift both victims and perpetrators out of the
domain of statistics and evoke emotional engagement from readers and viewers.
The thesis argues for the importance of narrative in bearing witness to trauma,
particularly due to its unique ability to forge an emotional connection between
reader or viewer and character. The primary texts analysed in the thesis are the
novels Inyenzi: A Story of Love and Genocide by South African author Andrew
Brown and Murambi, The Book of Bones by Senegalese author Boubacar Boris
Diop, along with the films Shooting Dogs, directed by British Michael Caton-
Jones, and Hotel Rwanda, directed by American Terry George. In addition to
considering the use of narrative devices to produce empathy and engagement
among readers and viewers, the thesis explores also the implications of the
various outsider perspectives of the writers and film-makers, and the effect that
this has on their narratives, not least given the role played by the world
community in failing to avert the genocide . / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die voorstellings van Rwanda volksmoorde en die
nagevolge in geselekteerde narratiewe tekste en rolprente. Die tesis poog om op
verskillende maniere ondersoek in stel na die narratiewe middels om die trauma
oor te dra na die leser en kyker. Dit sluit taal, diskoers, beelde, struktuur en
perspektiewe aan die eenkant, en verfilming op die skerm aan die anderkant.
Die tesis argumenteer dat narratiewe middels verskaf gedeeltelike insig van die
trauma van die volksmoorde en/of genereer empatie of afstand tussen leser en
kyker en die slagoffers, skuldiges en die oorlewendes van die volksmoorde.
Aandag sal veral gegee word op welke wyse die geselekteerde romans en
rolprente die menslike dimensie van volksmoord bevorder. Beide die slagoffers
en skuldiges word uit die ondersoekterrein van statistieke geskuif en daar gaan
gefokus word op die uitlok van emosionele betokkendheid van lesers en kykers.
Die tesis argumenteer vir die belangrikheid van die narratief om as getuienis op
te tree van trauma – veral as gevolg die unieke vermoë om tussen die leser of
die kyker en die karakter emosionele bande te smee. Die primêre tekste wat in
hierdie tesis geanaliseer word, is die romans, Inyenzi: A Story of Love and
Genocide deur Suid-Afrikaner Andrew Brown, Murambi, The Book of Bones deur
Senegalese skrywer Boubacar Boris Diop, en die rolprente Shooting Dogs, onder
leiding van die Brit, Michael Caton-Jones en Hotel Rwanda, onder leiding van die
Ierse, Terry George. Afgesien van die gebruik van narratiewe middels om
empatie en betrokkenheid van lesers en kykers te genereer, ondersoek die tesis
ook die implikasies van die onderskeie buitestaander perspektiewe van die
skrywers en rolprentmakers en die effek op hulle narratiewe – veral die rol wat
hulle speel in die wêreldgemeenskap om volksmoorde te voorkom.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/4274 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Samuel, Karin |
| Contributors | Samuelson, Meg, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of English. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 85 p. |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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