In A Question of Power Bessie Head explores metaphysical forms of knowledge
and systems of belief (against a background of what is verifiable and can be
called the truth) and finds them necessary but flawed because they are illogical.
The experience of madness in Bessie Head's main character, Elizabeth, (which is
caused by a deep fear of domination and oppression), provides an opportunity
for the character to raise propositions and questions of philosophy related to
race, class, heterosexuality, God, to mention but a few, and to come to the
conclusion that the 'truth' claims which are implied in and suggested by these
notions do not obtain in real life. In other words, there is no stable,
transcendental reality. It dawns on Elizabeth (the main character) that certain
realms of knowledge which society has determined as objective truth will
remain forever unknowable. Thus Elizabeth, the main character in a A Question
of Power, identifies and challenges all patriarchal structures and power
hierarchies in society, seeing them as the real causes of her suffering. After
completing this process of deeonstruction, she is able to integrate herself into
society. / English Studies / M. A. (English)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/853 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Kalua, Fetson Anderson |
| Contributors | Lloyd, David, 1955- |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (65 leaves) |
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