Echo of Poesy in South Africa’s Politics: Form and Resistance in Dennis Brutus’ “Simple Lust” and “Letters to Martha”

Abstract

Apartheid in South Africa began in 1948 AD with the introduction of separatist rule that introduced draconian principles in government. This made formation of associations impossible. There was no free movement of the Blacks. Pass laws were imposed to prevent the Blacks from free movement. This approach brought protest among reasonable people of the World. Within the literary circle, protest literature ensued and emerged to join forces with organizations to clamp down on the draconian system operatives in South Africa. From the 1950s through the 60s and 80s witnessed a plethora of protest literature against the system of government in South Africa. This paper entitled “Echo of Poesy in South Africa Politics: Form and Resistance in Dennis Brutus’ Letters to Martha and A Simple Lust examined South Africa’s protest literature with particular reference to Dennis Brutus’s poetry of resistance showing the various circumstances which Dennis Brutus offers his poetry of resistance.