Cultural issues in Nonyana ya tshepo

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the aspect of culture and gender in N.S. Zulu's novel Nonyana ya tshepo(The bird of hope) (1997). The approach shall be based on the study of culture and genderrepresentation of male and female characters as viewed by scholars such as Payne (1997),Ruthven (1984), Bauerlin (1997) and Brooker (1999). However, because character is closelylinked to plot, the study also outlines plot and character. The study emphasizes the portrayalof male and female characters in terms of culture and gender stereotypes because patriarchyin society dictates that men are seen as superior and women as inferior, women as thedispossessed and men as owners, women as child bearers and men as leaders.The study aims to find out whether or not this modern novel, Nonyana ya tshepo, portrayspatriarchal images of men and women. In most of thE! Sesotho older novels sexism wasenforced, and sexual inequalities in such novels were taken as universal and thereforenormal. The issue of sexual difference and inequality is basically rooted in the tradition ofpatriarchy that advocates the subjection and oppression of women.Women characters are always subjected to ill-treatment, abuse, torture and suppression as aresult of patriarchy and other related factors. In Nonyana ya tshepo women characters areportrayed as being submissive, powerless and easily manipulated by their male counterparts.They are victims of circumstances as they have no power and control. Male characters do nottreat female characters with dignity. For example, when Mokwena arrives at his home in thenight being drunk, he wakes up his wife Dijeng and swears at her. He accuses her of hiding aman in his bedroom and he finally beats her up.Women characters in Nonyana ya tshepo are also portrayed as victims of sexual abuse bymale characters. Mokwena sexually abuses Dikeledi and impregnates her. The same abusehappens to Sebolelo who is sexually abused by her male employee. Sebolelo and Dikeledibecome victims of the circumstances. Male characters in the novel are dominant, abusive,manipulative and oppressive. Male and female characters are portrayed in terms of cultureand gender stereotypes in Nonyana ya tshepo.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University