Transition And Transgression: English Young Adult Fiction In Post-apartheid South Africa (paperback Or Softback)

This book conveys the story of a society in the throes of restructuring itself and struggling to find a new identity. A particularly attractive aspect of this study is the focus on young adult literature and its place in post-apartheid South Africa, as well as its potential use in the classroom and lecture hall. Intersecting these two topics provides a compelling lens for refocusing debate on young adult fiction while offering a new and novel angle on debates in South Africa after the end of apartheid. The multilingual and multicultural South African society has resulted in fiction that differs from other parts of the English-speaking world. This work presents a holistic critique of South African young adult fiction and addresses issues such as change and transformation, identity politics, sexuality, and the issue of the right of white writers to represent and “write” characters of different races. ​ Contents 6 1 Introduction 8 References 14 2 Turmoil and Unrest 16 Abstract 16 1976 and Its Aftermath 18 White Writers Narrating the 1976 Riots 19 Black Writers Narrating the Unrest of the 70s and 80s 24 White Resistance 27 Conclusion 29 References 30 3 Identity, Space and Race 33 Abstract 33 Segregation 35 Merging Space 37 Place and a Search for Identity 41 The Example of Song of Be and the N!ore 42 The Physical Landscape 43 Homelessness 45 Conclusion 47 References 47 4 The Post-apartheid Adolescent Subject 50 Abstract 50 Negotiating Identity and Power in the School 51 Caught Between Two Worlds 54 Prejudice and Acceptance 57 Crime and Poverty 60 Negotiating Identity and Power as Other 63 Conclusion 67 References 68 5 Transgression, Romance and Sexuality 70 Abstract 70 Romance 72 Negative Consequences of Sexual Activity 74 Silence in Relation to HIVAIDS 77 Patriarchal Attitudes and Gender-Based Violence 78 Internet Predators 81 Gender and Sexual Identity 82 Conclusion 86 References 86 6 Fantasy, Myth, and Legend 89 Abstract 89 Traditional Belief Systems 91 Fantasy, History and Legend 93 Fantasy and Realism—The Hidden Star 97 New Directions 98 Horror Novels and Speculative Fiction 103 Conclusion 105 References 105 7 Benevolence and Malevolence 108 Abstract 108 Dystopian Fiction 108 South African Dystopias 111 Post-disaster and Post-apocalyptic Novels 115 Conclusion 118 References 120 8 Conclusion and Afterthoughts 121 Annotation This book conveys the story of a society in the throes of restructuring itself and struggling to find a new identity. A particularly attractive aspect of this study is the focus on young adult literature and its place in post-apartheid South Africa, as well as its potential use in the classroom and lecture hall. Intersecting these two topics provides a compelling lens for refocusing debate on young adult fiction while offering a new and novel angle on debates in South Africa after the end of apartheid. The multilingual and multicultural South African society has resulted in fiction that differs from other parts of the English-speaking world. This work presents a holistic critique of South African young adult fiction and addresses issues such as change and transformation, identity politics, sexuality, and the issue of the right of white writers to represent and write characters of different races." This book conveys the story of a society in the throes of restructuring itself and struggling to find a new identity. A particularly attractive aspect of this study is the focus on young adult literature and its place in post-apartheid South Africa, as well as its potential use in the classroom and lecture hall. Intersecting these two topics provides a compelling lens for refocusing debate on young adult fiction while offering a new and novel angle on debates in South Africa after the end of apartheid. The multilingual and multicultural South African society has resulted in fiction that differs from other parts of the English-speaking world. This work presents a holistic critique of South African young adult fiction and addresses issues such as change and transformation, identity politics, sexuality, and the issue of the right of white writers to represent and zwritey characters of different races Front Matter....Pages i-vi Introduction....Pages 1-8 Turmoil and Unrest....Pages 9-25 Identity, Space and Race....Pages 27-43 The Post-apartheid Adolescent Subject....Pages 45-64 Transgression, Romance and Sexuality....Pages 65-83 Fantasy, Myth, and Legend....Pages 85-103 Benevolence and Malevolence....Pages 105-117 Conclusion and Afterthoughts....Pages 119-120