Die funksie van liminaliteit in die roman-oeuvre van Nederlands-Irakese skrywer Rodaan Al Galidi

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The function of liminality in the novel-oeuvre of Dutch-Iraqi author Rodaan Al Galidi is studied in this thesis. The ultimate goal of this study is to connect the functioning of liminality in Al Galidi's literary works to social and political critique, towards the Dutch and the Western society as a whole, which is visible in his oeuvre. The different manners in which liminality functions in the novels, through spaces and characters, are studied closely to determine the social message that is hidden in Al Galidi's work.Due to Al Galidi's background as a refugee from Iraq in the 1990s, it is possible to symbolically connect the social and political commentary in his work to the experiences of the migrant in the Netherlands and also in Europe, in a broader sense. The current migration crisis in Europe is clearly illustrated by means of important anthropological and sociological studies, which explain terms such as multiculturalism, social identity, and the fear of the Other.The theory of liminality is studied, from its origin in anthropology (Van Gennep 1960), to the reworking of this theory (Turner 1969) and, finally, the relevance of this theory concerning literature (Aguirre et al. 2000). The liminal space is defined as an in-between space, by all the before-mentioned theories. It is thus a space recognised between two established spaces. This means that there are always three spaces present in the liminal process: the original space, the liminal space, and the new space. Individuals who find themselves in this in-between space are characterised as liminal figures. The individuals inside the liminal space have the option to move out of this space, across several boundaries. They are able to function as liminal permanently, which means that they choose not to cross over to the new space indefinitely. By staying liminal, they avoid undergoing a transformation. Other individuals might choose to integrate in the new space, which means that they cross over permanently and no longer function as liminal. The liminal space is thus one of great potential for growth and transformation, if the individual concedes.This triple movement of liminality is applied to the novels of Al Galidi, in order to study and determine the movements and final transformation of the characters. This application was done following the literary levels that were determined by Viljoen in a study in 2005. The liminality in the oeuvre of Al Galidi is thus studied on generic, structural, thematic and social level. By studying the movements of the characters in the novels, as well as the different spaces that they function in, the liminal process is clearly noticed. The need for the characters to fit into their immediate environment, or not, differs from novel to novel. These movements are seen as symbolic to the movements and also the experiences of the Eastern migrant in a Western society.In this thesis, the actuality in the oeuvre of Rodaan Al Galidi is studied with the guiding of several social theories and also the theory of liminality. By doing so, the social and political aspects of Al Galidi's literary work are emphasised.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University