Binêre opposisies en perspektiewe op die 'ander' in Pieternella van die Kaap deur Dalene Matthee

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study investigates the binary oppositions in Dalene Matthee's historic novel,Pieternella van die Kaap, and the extent to which it correlates with theperspectives on the other and the influence of the spatial context on the twomain characters, Eva-Krotoa and Pietemella. The study ascertains in which wayMatthee's novel falls within the post-colonial framework; whether a tendencytowards hybridity can be found and in which cases the binary opposition of theself versus the other, is consequently suspended. Attention is also given to keyconcepts associated with this, like stereotyping and convention.After exploring the term post-colonial literature, a number of related elementsare discussed, such as the post-colonial focus on identity. Via the focalisation ofPietenelIa the novel firstly presents a general view of her experiences in theCape, on Robben Island, on the ship the Boode, and on Mauritius. In the processit also foregrounds the life of her mother, Eva-Krotoa. Both of them are so muchaffected by the binary oppositions relating to their existence within different,contrasting spaces, that it is justified to call them two-head women. While Eva-Krotoa's life is torn apart by the binary oppositions, there are indications thatPietemella moves in the direction of a growing hybridity, that brings about asynthesis between the oppositions and allows her to reconcile herself with herown identity. This is even more pronounced in the case of her daughter, Maria.The study comes to the conclusion that stereotyping is based on convention andthat time, place and circumstances determine whether and to what extent thebinary opposition of the self'/the other is suspended.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University