Anthologies composed for adolescent readers are rare in both Afrikaans and Dutch. These
anthologies are published at quite lengthy intervals, because they are post-publications in
which already published volumes are absorbed. These anthologies are, however, to an
increasing extent the medium by which readers become aware of poetry and are also
introduced to different poets. For that reason it can be concluded that anthologies inform
poetic taste.
The empathy and love towards poetry experienced by young children in both languages are
gradually replaced by an apathetic attitude towards poems and even an antipathetic attitude in
general during adolescence. The first reaction to poetry is usually emotional and this indicates
the way for further intellectual development. When selecting poems for the adolescent reader,
the different developmental aspects affecting the adolescent and his identity development
must be taken into consideration. The needs of the adolescent reader must be kept in mind.
Needs in reading develop as a result of general needs that should be satisfied in the first place.
Should this be the case, the need for reading would develop.
In this study different theoretical points of view, namely reader-response criticism,
developmental psychology, general needs and reading-related needs are used to determine the
representation of identity in poems. Specific theories of poetry are used as instruments in text
studies and analyses with regard to representation of identity in anthologies for adolescents.
Poems in Versreise (Vermaak et al.) and Met gekleurde billen zou her gelukkiger leven zijn
(Van Coillie) are analysed focusing on the representation of time and space, speaker and
perspective, atmosphere and metaphorical language. For the purposes of this study analyses
were conducted to evaluate and interpret the representation of identity in the texts of both
anthologies. The differences and similarities between the Afrikaans and Dutch poetry texts for
the adolescent had to be identified. The differences were used to determine which type of text
would support the Afrikaans identity, the Dutch identity or the Flemish identity. The
similarities, on the other hand, were used to determine the type of text that would not appeal
to the Afrikaans, Dutch or Flemish adolescents only, but to adolescents in general.
In this study method-pluralism is scientifically unavoidable. Different methods were
systematically combined to support the specific methods of approach. The research was done
in accordance with four methods: a synopsis of existing and appropriate theory of literature
and forming of theory with regard to relevant concepts and terms; the analyses of texts in two
anthologies; a summary of critical opinions stated in different reviews as well as surveys and
interviews based on consultations via e-mail with the different role players, i.e. the anthology
composers, illustrators and publishers. / Thesis (MA (Afrikaans en Nederlands))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/308 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Van der Walt, Hester Carina |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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