Abstract
In this article two Afrikaans youth novels are analysed in order to determine to what extent nature and elements of the natural environment can influence a child’s experience and view of life. In “Gamkab” (Betsie van Niekerk) and “Om ’n kierie te keer” (Pieter Pieterse) their natural surroundings expose the characters to challenges and adventures which form a context in which their ways of thinking are challenged and stimulated. This develops their ability to make decisions and solve problems, thereby broadening their life experience and developing their life skills. Theories on reader identification are used to argue that stories like these have the potential to expand and develop reader consciousness. These novels are of importance to the South African child of today, because they introduce various contemporary issues, such as entrepreneurship, social responsibility and multicultural interaction. In identifying with the characters, the reader is confronted with pertinent topics such as peer pressure, teenage insecurities and fears, and problematic family relationships. From the analysis of the novels, which focuses on the enriching and reinforcing contribution of nature, it is apparent that through nature’s challenges the characters are empowered to overcome their problems and improve their personal circumstances. This foreshadows the potential empowerment of the reader.
Highlights
Verryk en bemagtig: die invloed van die natuur op die gees en denke in twee Afrikaanse jeugromans
In “Gamkab” (Betsie van Niekerk) en “Om ’n kierie te keer” (Pieter Pieterse) bied die natuurlike omgewing uitdaging en avontuur aan die karakters, maar ook ’n uitdagende en stimulerende konteks vir ontwikkeling op die vlakke van denke, besluitneming en probleemoplossing, vir die wysiging en verbreding van karakters se denkwyse en lewensinsig, en vir die inskerp van praktiese lewensbeginsels en -vaardighede
The focus on people and nature can be regarded as part of an approach to creating identity in response to the question: Where do I find myself? Roos (2006:87-88) interprets the ecological perspective in contemporary Afrikaans texts as a literary confirmation of the concern with the natural environment in modern times, and our critical view of the relation between people and their physical surroundings
Summary
Recent Afrikaans literature demonstrates an abiding interest in the theme of the significance of the relationship between people and nature. The aim is to apply the researched effects of reader identification to the analysis of Om ’n kierie te keer and Gamkab, in order to determine the role of nature and the influence of the natural surroundings on the characters as portrayed in the texts. This is done with particular reference to the broadening of both the characters’ and the readers’ ways of thinking and improving their lives. The potential personal development and empowerment of the reader is implied
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