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Identity in the Early Fiction of Alan Paton, 1922-1935 D N R IDENTITY IN THE EARLY FICTION OF ALAN PATON, 1922-1935 D N R LEVEY Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English at the North-West University Promoter: Dr C A Woeber Co-promoter: Prof. A M de Lange MAY 2007 POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS ABSTRACT The thesis represents an attempt, within the broad field of religion and literature and of identity studies, to read the early unpublished fiction of Alan Paton, dating from approximately 1922 (the end of his student days) to 1935 (when he became Principal of Diepkloof Reformatory). It is pointed out that research into the interrelationship of literature and religion, while well-established in a number of countries, is lagging in South Africa, and it is believed that the present thesis is the first full-length work of its kind, at least as far as South African literature in English is concerned. The writer advances reasons for his explicitly religious and hermeneutic approach to questions of human identity, as fo~.~ndin Paton especially, and focuses these on two particular areas: narrative identity, as propounded in the later work of Paul Ricoeur, and relational identity (to the other human being and to the Other, God), as theorised by Emmanuel Levinas in his later writing. In order to contextualise the study in Africa and in South Africa, brief attention is accorded to writers such as Soyinka, Mbiti and Mbembe and to current debates regarding white identity in South Africa. To lend a sense of histol-ical context, Paton's work is viewed against the backdrop of identity in colonial Natal. The overall approach adopted may be described as broadly, but critically, postmodernist. Paton's earliest, fragmentary novel, 'Ship of Truth' (1922-1923) is read in some detail; his second, and only complete early novel, 'Brother Death' (1930), is commented on in as much detail as its frequently rambling nature warrants. A chapter on shorter fiction discusses his short story 'Little Barbee' (1928?), his short story 'Calvin Doone' (1930), his third novel, 'John Her~ryDane' (1934), and a novel or novella, 'Secret for Seven' (1934). From all these readings it emerges that the Paton of his early fiction is markedly different from the Paton generally known: his concepts of human identity, of God and of religion, though earnest, are unformed and frequently ambivalent; his characterisation often stereotyped and wooden; his political views usually prejudiced and his stylistic and other techniques, though adequate in a young writer, highly repetitive. Various suggestions are made for future research: into South African literature from a religious perspective, into other aspects of Paton's works, and so forth. Key words: Alan Paton South African literature unpublished fiction literature and religion Christianity and religion hermeneutics identity studies white identity South African identity narrative identity relational identity iii OPSOMMING Hierdie proefskrif verteenwoordig 'n poging om die vroee, ongepubliseerde fiksie van Alan Paton - dit wil se van omstreeks 1922, toe hy afgestudeer het, tot 1935, toe hy die hoof van die Diepkloof-verbeteringsinrigting geword het - te ondersoek binne die raamwerk van godsdiens en die letterkunde en van identiteitstudies. Daar word daarop gewys dat navorsing oor die onderlinge verhouding tussen die letterkunde en godsdiens in 'n aantal lande goed gevestig is, maar nog nie in Suid-Afl-ika veel aandag gekry het nie. Die skrywer meen dat hierdie proefskrif die eerste volskaalse studie in sy soort is, ten minste wat Suid-Afrikaanse letterkunde in Engels betref. Die navorser verduidelik sy uitdruklik religieuse en hermeneutiese benadering tot vraagstukke oor menslike identiteit, veral soos aangetref by Paton, en Ii? besondere klem op narratiewe identiteit, soos geponeer in die latere werk van Paul Ricoeur, en verhoudingsidentiteit (met die ander persoon en met die Ander, God), soos Emmanuel Levinas daaroor in sy latere werke teoretiseer. Ten einde die studie binne die konteks van Afrika en Suid-Afrika te plaas, word aandag ook aan skrywers uit Afrika gegee, soos Soyinka, Mbiti en Mbembe, en aan hedendaagse debatte oor die identiteit van witmense in Suid-Afrika. Ter wille van die historiese word Paton se werk teen die agtergrond van identiteit in koloniale Natal beskou. Die bree benadering van die skrywer kan as algemeen maar krities postmodernisties bestempel word. Paton se vroegste, fragmentariese roman, 'Ship of Truth' (1922-1923), word redelik deeglik bespreek; sy tweede, en die enigste voltooide, vroee roman, 'Brother Death' (1930), kry vanwee die wydlopige aard daarvan in minder besonderhede aandag. Een hoofstuk handel oor sy korter fiksie: sy kortverhale 'Little Barbee' (1928?) en 'Calvin Doone' (1930), sy derde roman, 'John Henry Dane' (1934), en 'n roman of novelle, 'Secret for Seven' (1934). Uit die lesings van hierdie werke word dit duidelik dat die Paton van sy vroegste fiksie iemand anders is as die Paton wat vandag bekend is: sy beskouing van menslike identiteit, van God en van godsdiens, al is dit diep en opreg, is nog ongevorm en dikwels ambivalent; sy karakteriserings dikwels gestereotipeer en styf; sy politieke menings gewoonlik bevooroordeeld, en sy stilistiese en ander tegnieke, hoewel aanvaarbaar vir 'n jong skrywer, uiters herhalend. Enkele voorstelle vir toekomstige navorsing word gemaak: oor Suid-Afrikaanse letterkunde vanuit 'n godsdienstige perspektief, oor ander fasette van Paton se werk, en so meer. Sleutelwoorde: Alan Paton Suid-Afrikaanse letterkunde ongepubliseerde fiksie letterkunde en godsdiens letterkunde en die Christendom hermeneutiek identiteitstudies identiteit van witmense Suid-Afrikaanse identiteit narratiewe identiteit verhoudingsidentiteit ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A thesis is inevitably the result of work by a team and this study co~~ldnot have been completed without the assistance of numerous people and institutions. I would like to thank: Professor Attie de Lange and Dr Catherine Woeber, for succinct and scholarly advice, encouragement and friendship. Mrs Jewel Koopman and Dr Estelle Liebenberg-Barkhuizen, dedicated and exceptionally helpful archivists at the Alan Paton Centre and Struggle Archives. I am especially grateful to Mrs Koopman for liaising with Mrs Anne Paton, to whom I am also particularly indebted for permission to have photocopies made of the Paton MSS. This, and Mrs Koopman's careful copying of them, greatly eased the task of making sense of these documents. Mr Dawie Malan and Ms Hleziphi Napaai of the University of South Africa (Unisa) Library, for most efficiently and enthusiastically supplying many types of information, and the many photocopying assistants in this Library who unfailingly provided rapid and friendly service. Ms Crystal Warren of the National English Literary Museum. Mr Jonathan Paton and Mrs Margaret Paton, for their encouragement, interest and hospitality. I really regret that Mr Paton could not see the final version of this study. A number of my colleagues in the Department of English Studies, Unisa, who made suggestions, asked pertinent questions or read early drafts: Dr Greg Graham-Smith, Professors Ivan Rabinowitz, Pamela Ryan, Leon de Kock, Devi Sarinjeive and, in particular, Ms Stella Prozesky. All helped to clarify my thinking. Professor John Larr~bertof the Department of History, University of South Africa, who pointed me in the direction of two important studies regarding identity in colonial Natal: these led to a breakthrough in my own thought. Professors David Jasper and Graham Ward, whose acquaintanceship I value and whose works have exerted a strong influence on my interest in the field of literature and religion. Bishop Michael Nuttall, Professor Peter Alexander and Professor Richard Terrell, who responded rapidly and helpfully to emailed queries. Professor Andre le Roux, former Principal of Edgewood Training College, Durban, who wrote to me about his relationship with Paton while in that capacity. My sons Jonathan and Andrew, who nudged me with queries about 'how is the thesis doing?' A great many friends, faniily members and colleagues, for presenting me with the two volumes of Paton's autobiographies which started me on this particular path, and for their ongoing encouragement, practical and logistical support, and prayers when needed! Professor Zodwa Motsa, Chair of the Unisa Department of English Studies, for wholehearted assistance in numerous ways. The University of South Ahica, for generous sabbatical leave. The National Research Foundation, for making substantial research funding available. The opinions expressed and conclusions reached are my own. The Creator Spirit, from whom stems all human creativity. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Preliminary remarks Religion and writing Alan Paton My explicitly religious approach CHAPTER 1 THEORIES OF IDENTITY Preliminary remarks The self and identity My own position Methodology The narrator Narrative Narrative identity Relational identity The self and the subject Identity in colonial Natal Closure CHAPTER 2 'SHIP OF TRUTH' Preliminary remarks Background Book I Book 3 Conclusion viii CHAPTER 3 'BROTHER DEATH' Preliminary remarks Book l Book II Book Ill Conclusion CHAPTER 4 SHORTER EARLY WORKS OF FICTION: 'LITTLE BARBEE', 'JOHN HENRY DANE', 'CALVIN DOONE' AND 'SECRET FOR SEVEN' 225 Preliminary remarks 'Little Barbee' 'Calvin Doone' 'John Henry Dane' 'Secret for Seven' Conclusion CONCLUSION 254 Reflection on findings and methodology ldentities in the early Paton: the narrator ldentities in the early Paton: characters ldentities
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