Study of selected texts/themes within the Afrikaans literature

##Overview of Afrikaans Texts and Themes

Launched into prominence during the Afrikaner Nationalist era, Afrikaans literature exhibits a rich cultural history.
It deals with an extensive range of themes such as racism, apartheid, social inequality, love, loss, identity and the struggle for individualism.
Study of these texts offers insight into historical events, societal structures, cultural aspects and linguistic traits of the African continent.

Theme Analysis - Apartheid

Apartheid, literally meaning ‘apartness’, was a system institutionalised by the Afrikaner National Party in 1948 in South Africa.
Among important works dissecting the theme are Alan Paton’s ‘Cry, the Beloved Country’, André Brink’s ‘A Dry White Season’ and J.M. Coetzee’s ‘Disgrace’.
Most texts tackling apartheid reflect on the ways it oppressed non-white communities and dissect the political and personal consequences of racial segregation.

Theme Analysis - Identity

The theme of identity is woven into the fabric of Afrikaans literature, being explored in relation to racial, cultural and personal dimensions.
South African poets like Ingrid Jonker and Antjie Krog grapple with identity issues rooted in the conflict between Afrikaans tradition and the modern world.
Antjie Krog’s ‘Country of My Skull’ provides an insightful introspection into individual and collective identity post-apartheid.

Text Analysis - ‘Kringe in ’n bos’ by Dalene Matthee

Set in the Singapore Forest, the novel shatters myths about the indigenous Outeniqua people and explores their philosophy and way of life.
Saartjie’s growth into a woman mirrors the forest’s complexity and her relationship with it influences her interactions with other characters.
The theme of environment and man’s complex relationship with it differ it from other texts, intimating that nature is a living entity.

Text Analysis - ‘Fiela se Kind’ by Dalene Matthee

This novel underscores social and emotional problems endured by the Coloured community.
The story focuses on Fiela, a coloured woman who raises a white child, illuminating themes of gender, race, nature and familial love.
‘Fiela se Kind’ is a testament of love and determination that challenges societal norms and the destructive apartheid system.

CharacterSetters’ Guidelines

Go beyond just narrative what the text or the theme is. Engage with its detailed analysis and critical perspectives.
Focus on the cultural, historical and societal connotations associated with the text or theme.
Incorporate linguistic aspects in your study such as the use of style, tone, figurative language and other literary devices used by the authors.
Read secondary sources and refer to scholars’ viewpoints to enhance your own understanding and interpretation of the chosen texts and themes.
Based on the examined texts and themes, reflect on the broader implications they hold for contemporary society.