The problem of audience: a study of Durban worker poetry.

[摘要] This dissertation shows how both poets and their audiences haveplayed a central role in the emergence of Durban Worker poetry. Areview of critical responses to worker poetry concludes thatinsufficient attention has been paid to questions of audience.Performances of worker poetry are analysed, highlighting theconventions used by the audience when participating in andevaluating the poetry, Social, political and literary factors whichhave influenced the audience of worker poetry are explored, as arethe factors which led to the emergence of worker poetry. Indiscussing the influence of the Zulu izibongo (praise poetry) onworker poetry, particular attention is paid to formal andperformative qualities. The waye in Which worker poetry has beenutilised by both poets and audience as a powerful intellectualresource are debated. Finally, the implications of publishingworker poetry via the media of print, audio-cassettes andvideo-Cassettes are discussed.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand