Images of women in Unyana womntu

Date
2002-04
Authors
Matshoba, Linda Cecil
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the role of women in the Xhosa novel, Unyana Womntu, written by Saule. The main aim is to investigate how images of women have developed or deteriorated as a result of the changes in the South African society. It will be remembered, for instance, that in traditional and colonial eras, images of women were subjected to patriarchy. One expects a change in the status of women as depicted in literature because of consistent demands that women are entitled to equal opportunities. The theoretical aspects of gender and culture are discussed in Chapter 2 as the framework of the study. Chapter 3 deals with plot, character and space in Saule's novel, Unyana Womntu and how they are viewed in relation to gender and culture. A detailed analysis of gender and culture is done in Chapter 4 of Unyana Womntu. In the analysis of the gender and culture in Unyana Womntu, it is found that the images of women presented in the novel are undergoing radical changes, such that some women seem to fail to cope with changes. However, this does not mean that all women are incapable of making informed choices in terms of their depiction in xhosa literature.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van vroue in die Xhosa novelle Unyana Womntu geskryf deur Saule. Die hoofdoelstelling is om 'n ondersoek te doen van hoe voorstellings van Xhosa vroue ontwikkel of verswak het as gevolg van veranderinge in die Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap. Dit word byvoorbeeld onthou, dat in tradisionele en koloniale eras, die voorstellings van vroue onderwerp is aan patriargale uitbeelding. 'n Mens sou 'n verandering verwag in die status van vroue soos voorgestel in die letterkunde, op grond van die voortdurende eise dat vroue geregtig is op gelyke geleenthede. Die teoretiese aspekte van gender en kultuur word in hoofstuk 2 bespreek as die raamwerk vir die studie. Hoofstuk 3 ondersoek die intrige, karakters en ruimte in Saule se novelle Unyana Womntu, en hoe hierdie aspekte uitgebeeld word met betrekking tot gender en kultuur. 'n Gedetailleerde analise van die uitbeelding van gender en kultuur in Unyana Womntu word gedoen in hoofstuk 4 van die studie. In die ontleding van gender en kultuur in Unyana Womntu word daar bevind dat die voorstellings van vroue wat aangebied word in die novelle aansienlike veranderinge ondergaan, tot so In mate dat vroue daarin faal om met verandering tred te hou. Dit beteken egter nie dat alle vroue 'n onvermoë het om ingeligte keuses te maak in terme van hulle uitbeelding in die Xhosa letterkunde nie.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
Keywords
Saule, N. -- Criticism and interpretation, Xhosa literature -- History and criticism, Gender identity in literature, Culture in literature, Dissertations -- Xhosa literature
Citation