Tragic Expressions in Lehlaba la lephako (Pain of Hunger)

Abstract

Many literary critics maintain that a novel as narrative should be analysed only on the basis of the be based on narrative or epic elements. However, many novels, among others Chaka by Mofolo, Mosali a nkhola (Woman deceive me) by Khaketla and Nna Sajene Kokobela by Ntsane involve dialogue as a dramatic communicative mode in the expression of tragic events. This paper demonstrates the occurrence of dramatised tragic events with a view to demonstrate the dramatic mode of presentation in the novel Lehlaba la lephako (Pain of hunger). The aim of the paper is to illustrate overlap in the use of narrative as well as dramatic elements in a novel. A novel does not need therefore not be confined to only a telling mode of presentation, but could also incorporate both the telling (narrative) and the showing (dramatic) modes of presentation. Textual elements such as character, plot and theme will be demonstrated as reflecting tragedy as presented within the context of dialogue. Furthermore, dramatized tragic events in a novel could be as effective to provoke pity and fear on the part of the reader as in any drama-text. Tragedy and the tragic (though they are different concepts) they overlap and are relevant to either novel (telling) or drama (showing).