Answer any five questions. All questions carry equal marks. (20 x 5 = 100)
1. What do you broadly understand by South African Literature? Is it different in any way from African Literature?
South African literature refers to the literary works produced by authors from South Africa or those who are based in the country, reflecting the social, political, and cultural landscape of South Africa. The history of South African literature spans centuries, with diverse works written in different languages such as English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and others. The literature of South Africa is rich and diverse, reflecting the country's multicultural and multilingual nature.
African literature, on the other hand, encompasses the literary works produced by African authors, both within and outside the African continent. It includes works in different genres, including novels, poetry, plays, and short stories. African literature emerged as a response to the colonial experience and the struggle for independence in Africa. It reflects the social, political, and cultural realities of the African continent and its people.
While South African literature is part of African literature, it is different in several ways. Firstly, the historical and political context in which South African literature emerged is unique, shaped by the country's apartheid history. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination that lasted from 1948 to 1994, dividing the country's population into racial categories and creating a system of white supremacy. This context is reflected in the themes, settings, and characters of South African literature, which often deal with issues of race, identity, and oppression.
Secondly, South African literature is linguistically diverse, reflecting the country's multilingual and multicultural nature. Writers often draw on different languages, dialects, and idioms in their works. The use of multiple languages in South African literature is not only a reflection of the country's linguistic diversity but also a response to the colonial legacy that imposed the use of European languages as the language of literature.
Thirdly, South African literature has a strong tradition of protest literature, which reflects the country's struggle against apartheid. Writers such as Nadine Gordimer, Bessie Head, and Alan Paton wrote works that exposed the injustices of apartheid and advocated for social and political change. This tradition of protest literature is a unique aspect of South African literature that sets it apart from other African literatures.
In conclusion, while South African literature is part of African literature, it is different in many ways due to the unique historical and political context of the country, its linguistic diversity, and its strong tradition of protest literature. The works of South African writers continue to reflect the social, political, and cultural realities of the country, making it an important and influential literary tradition.
2. Who are some of the pioneers of postcolonial short story? Write about any two
representative short stories.
The postcolonial era gave rise to a new wave of literature, including the short story. Short story writers from different parts of the world began to explore the complexities of identity, culture, and history through their works. Here are two pioneers of the postcolonial short story and their representative works.
Chinua Achebe - "Girls at War"
Chinua Achebe is a Nigerian writer who is considered to be one of the pioneers of postcolonial literature. In "Girls at War," Achebe explores the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, which ended in 1970. The story follows a young woman named Gladys, who is caught in the middle of the conflict. Gladys represents the new generation of Nigerians who have grown up in a world of war and violence. Achebe skillfully depicts Gladys's struggles with her identity as a Nigerian woman, torn between tradition and modernity. The story also touches on issues of gender roles, political corruption, and the legacy of colonialism. Through his use of vivid imagery and lyrical language, Achebe paints a powerful portrait of postcolonial Nigeria.
Nadine Gordimer - "Once Upon a Time"
Nadine Gordimer was a South African writer and activist who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1991. In "Once Upon a Time," Gordimer explores the themes of fear, paranoia, and segregation in apartheid-era South Africa. The story follows a white family that is obsessed with security, building up walls and fortifications to protect themselves from the perceived threats of the outside world. Gordimer's use of allegory and satire creates a powerful critique of the social and political realities of apartheid South Africa. The story is also a commentary on the ways in which fear and prejudice can ultimately destroy communities and relationships. Through her masterful storytelling, Gordimer sheds light on the complexities of race and identity in postcolonial South Africa.
In conclusion, Chinua Achebe and Nadine Gordimer are two pioneers of the postcolonial short story, whose works explore the complexities of identity, culture, and history. Their stories are a testament to the power of literature to shed light on the social and political realities of the postcolonial world.
3. Make a critical appraisal of the poetic devices used in the poem, “Tonight I can Write”.
"Tonight I can Write" is a poem written by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The poem is a powerful expression of love and loss, and it employs several poetic devices to create a vivid and emotional atmosphere. In this critical appraisal, we will analyze some of the key poetic devices used in the poem and how they contribute to its overall effect.
- Imagery: The poem is full of vivid imagery that creates a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. For example, the lines "The night is starry / and she is not with me" paint a picture of a dark, starry night and a sense of longing for the absent lover. The use of images such as "the light of the stars" and "the night wind" create a dreamlike, almost ethereal atmosphere that adds to the emotional impact of the poem.
- Repetition: The repetition of the phrase "Tonight I can write" throughout the poem creates a sense of continuity and progression. Each time the phrase is repeated, it takes on a new meaning, representing a different stage in the poet's emotional journey. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and structure that enhances the poem's impact.
- Metaphor: The poem is full of metaphors that evoke the poet's emotions and feelings. For example, the line "My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her" uses the metaphor of the soul to convey the depth of the poet's loss. The use of metaphors creates a sense of richness and depth to the poem, making it more than just a simple expression of love and loss.
- Personification: The poem also makes use of personification to convey the poet's emotions. For example, the lines "I can write the saddest lines tonight / To think that I do not have her" give a sense of the poet's despair and the way his emotions seem to take on a life of their own. Personification adds an extra layer of meaning to the poem and helps to create a sense of empathy with the reader.
- Symbolism: The poem makes use of symbolism to convey its central themes. For example, the symbol of the stars represents hope and a sense of wonder, while the absence of the lover represents loss and emptiness. The use of symbols creates a sense of depth and complexity to the poem, making it more than just a simple expression of emotions.
In conclusion, "Tonight I can Write" is a powerful poem that makes use of several poetic devices to create a vivid and emotional atmosphere. The use of imagery, repetition, metaphor, personification, and symbolism all contribute to the poem's impact, creating a rich and complex expression of love and loss. Pablo Neruda's use of these devices demonstrates his skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complex emotions of the human experience.
4. Tendulkar has made use of song, dance, music, mime, dialogue and narration in the play Ghashiram Kotwal. Illustrate the extent to which these elements contribute to the total effect of the play.
"Ghashiram Kotwal" is a play written by the Indian playwright Vijay Tendulkar. The play is a political satire that tells the story of a corrupt and brutal police chief who rises to power in 18th century Pune. One of the unique features of the play is its use of song, dance, music, mime, dialogue, and narration to tell the story. In this essay, we will examine how each of these elements contributes to the total effect of the play.
Song: The use of song in "Ghashiram Kotwal" is an important part of the play's structure. The songs are used to provide commentary on the action of the play, as well as to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The songs are often satirical, poking fun at the characters and their actions, and they help to create a sense of irony that adds to the play's overall impact.
Dance: The use of dance in the play is closely tied to the use of song. The dances are used to express the emotions of the characters and to create a sense of movement and energy on stage. The dances also help to create a sense of the historical period in which the play is set, adding to the play's overall realism and impact.
Music: The music in the play is often used to underscore the action and to create a sense of tension and drama. The music is often dramatic and intense, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion that adds to the play's overall impact.
Mime: The use of mime in "Ghashiram Kotwal" is an important part of the play's structure. The mime is used to convey information that cannot be expressed through words or action. The mime is often used to provide commentary on the action of the play, as well as to create a sense of irony and humor.
Dialogue: The dialogue in the play is used to provide a sense of character and motivation. The dialogue is often satirical and ironic, and it helps to create a sense of the characters and their actions. The dialogue is also used to advance the plot of the play, providing important information that helps the audience to understand the action.
Narration: The use of narration in the play is an important part of the play's structure. The narration is often used to provide historical context, as well as to provide commentary on the action of the play. The narration is often satirical and ironic, and it helps to create a sense of the historical period in which the play is set.
In conclusion, the use of song, dance, music, mime, dialogue, and narration in "Ghashiram Kotwal" is an essential part of the play's structure. These elements work together to create a rich and complex theatrical experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The use of these elements helps to create a sense of atmosphere, emotion, and historical context, and they contribute to the play's overall impact in a significant way. The play's innovative use of these elements is a testament to Tendulkar's skill as a playwright and his ability to push the boundaries of theatrical convention.
5. Name and briefly describe the communities whose correspondences and transactions are found in South African writings.
South African literature is a rich and diverse field that reflects the country's complex social and cultural landscape. The literature of South Africa encompasses a wide range of communities, including those of African, Indian, Coloured, and White heritage. In this essay, we will briefly describe the communities whose correspondences and transactions are found in South African writings.
African Communities: African communities have been an integral part of South African literature since its inception. The literature of these communities often deals with the themes of colonialism, apartheid, and resistance to oppression. African writers have made significant contributions to South African literature, producing works of great literary merit that explore the complexities of African life in South Africa.
Indian Communities: The Indian community has a long and complex history in South Africa, dating back to the 19th century when Indian laborers were brought to the country to work on the sugar plantations. Indian writers have played an important role in South African literature, producing works that explore the themes of identity, culture, and diaspora. These writers have made significant contributions to the development of South African literature, producing works of great literary merit that explore the complexities of Indian life in South Africa.
Coloured Communities: The Coloured community is a diverse group of people of mixed race and ethnicity, who have a long and complex history in South Africa. The literature of these communities often deals with the themes of identity, belonging, and the struggle for recognition. Coloured writers have made significant contributions to South African literature, producing works of great literary merit that explore the complexities of Coloured life in South Africa.
White Communities: The White community is a diverse group of people of European descent, who have played a dominant role in South African history and culture. The literature of these communities often deals with the themes of privilege, power, and the struggle for justice. White writers have made significant contributions to South African literature, producing works of great literary merit that explore the complexities of White life in South Africa.
In conclusion, South African literature is a rich and diverse field that reflects the country's complex social and cultural landscape. The literature of South Africa encompasses a wide range of communities, including those of African, Indian, Coloured, and White heritage. Each of these communities has made significant contributions to the development of South African literature, producing works of great literary merit that explore the complexities of life in South Africa.