Critical studies and creative works in the Sesotho novel have made some of the
important contributions in Sesotho literary history in particular, and African literary
history in general. However, such contribution has been dictated by a particular
history and an ideology. The world-view in literary practice that emerged from that
history is the one that tends to divorce literature, literary study and language from
society. Consequently, this study identifies this practice as a problem that needs
to be addressed.
This study argues from this perspective that literature, literary study and language
should be re-established as integral parts in a manner that pedagogical practice
would translate into positive social practices. To realise this ideal the study
approaches the study of the Sesotho novel from the perspective of literary
production. The theory of literary production insists that literature is a form of
social production. This argument becomes even more pertinent to the study of the
novel, which is viewed as having profound elements of realism that mirror society.
A consideration of the Sesotho novel as a form of literary production that is linked
to other forms of social production immediately leads to the question of the
development of the Sesotho novel. The possibilities that are identified include
external influence and internal evolution in the development of the Sesotho novel.
These possibilities also have a bearing on the study of the Sesotho novel in
particular and the study of the African novel in general.
In order to pursue the argument to its logical conclusion, the development of the
Sesotho novel is divided into three periods: 1900-1930; 1930-1960 and the 1960s-
1990s. Each of these periods demonstrates a particular ideological leaning that is
akin to the material conditions of each period. Taking this trend as a pattern in the
development of the Sesotho novel, this study advocates an approach that links
literature and literary studies to society. / African Languages / D.Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/17709 |
| Date | 06 1900 |
| Creators | Selepe, Thapelo, 1956- |
| Contributors | Swanepoel, C. F. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (vii, 298 leaves) |
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