Tragedy in selected Sesotho novels

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The object of this study is to examine the expression of tragedy in randomly selected Sesothonovels in two major periods, namely the early period (1925 to 1970s) and the later period (1970sto 1990s). Five Sesotho novels will be discussed in each period and give an indication of tragicexpression in that period. It is however not the main emphasis in this work to compare andcontrast between the two periods but mainly to observe patterns of tragedy and tragic expressionsin Sesotho novels.Chapter One orientates the reader by indicating aspects such as the problem identification, aimof the research, the approach or modus operandi, the scope as well as the organisation of thestudy, that is, a brief arrangement of chapters and presentation of what would be contained insubsequent chapters.Chapter Two presents the theoretical framework within which the research will be based. Asthe theoretical framework in this work, aspects of tragedy, namely, character, plot and theme willbe discussed.Chapter Three focuses on the early Sesotho tragedies within the literary period 1925 to 1970s.As already indicated, five novels, namely, Chaka, Mphatlalatsane, Moiketsi, Mosali a nkhola,and Leshala Ie tswala molora will be discussed in terms of the theoretical principles suggested inChapter Two. At the end of the chapter, an analysis of the findings and conclusions will bedrawn on tragic expressions in these novels. These novels distinguish themselves as largelyclassical tragedies (there are modern ones also) in terms of the nature of tragic charactersavailable.Chapter Four examines the later Sesotho tragedies ranging between the period 1970s to 1990s.As in early Sesotho novels, five novels will be discussed with a view to highlight tragicexpressions in this period. Peo ena ejetswe ke wena, Mehaladitwe ha e eketheha, Nna ke mang,Ke lesheleshele leo a iphehletseng lona and Lehlaba la lephako will be the novels we analyse.Analysis of the findings will be made and conclusions drawn at the end of the chapter in how tragedy is expressed in all these novels. These novels distinguish themselves as largely moderntragedies in terms of the tragic characters portrayed in them.Chapter Five presents the general conclusions on all the novels discussed in the two periods. Acomparison will be made as to how tragic expression differs from one period to anotherparticularly in terms of the three aspects of tragedy. Each novel will be given the individualattention and focussed exclusively as to how it presents tragedy and how perhaps it differs fromothers.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University