Bosman As Verbindingsteken: Hybridities in the Writing of Herman Charles Bosman
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Bosman as Verbindingsteken: Hybridities in the Writing of Herman Charles Bosman A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts of Rhodes University by Carol Leff January 2014 Supervisor: Dr Samantha Naidu Abstract This thesis is concerned with how hybridity is created and interpreted by Herman Charles Bosman in his fiction and non-fiction. Bosman was a gifted writer and raconteur who captured the historical, socio-political context of his time by translating Afrikaans culture for the edification and pleasure of an English readership. Hennie Aucamp summed up this linguistic and cultural translation by pointing out that Bosman was a writer who acted as a “verbindingsteken” or hyphen (65) between Afrikaans and English. His texts contain many voices, and are therefore essentially hybrid. Firstly, by drawing on aspects of postcolonial theory, the terms ‘hybridity’, ‘culture’ and ‘identity’, are discussed. Homi Bhabha’s notion of ‘hybridity’ is the conceptual lens through which Bosman’s texts are viewed, and aspects of Mikhail Bakhtin’s cultural theory also serve the same function. Thereafter, biographies of Bosman are discussed in an effort to understand his hyphenated identity. Following this, specific attention is paid to a selection of Bosman’s essays, short stories, and a novel. Scholarly opinions aid interpretation of levels of hybridity in Bosman’s work. In analysing Bosman’s texts critically, it becomes clear that he believed in a united South Africa that acknowledged and accepted all races. However, analysis also reveals that there are some inconsistencies in Bosman’s personal views, as expressed particularly in his essays. His short stories do not contain the same contradictions. Critical analysis of the novel Willemsdorp attests that cultural hybridity is not always viewed as celebratory. It can also be a painful space where identities are split, living both inside and outside their environment, and subsequently marginalized. Bosman’s texts, although published decades ago, remain relevant today in post- apartheid South Africa as much of his writing can be seen as a record of historical events. His short stories and novels capture a confluence of languages, people and cultures. His essays illustrate a deep commitment to promoting South African culture and literature. When reading Bosman one is constantly reminded that differences are not only to be acknowledged, but embraced, in what he prophetically imagined as a hybrid, post-apartheid South African society. ii Acknowledgements It has been a challenge finding time and space for writing this thesis, but it was made possible due to a number of extraordinary people. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the following: My supervisor, Dr Samantha Naidu, for her guidance and patience over the past two years. Her well-structured approach taught me to be more organized with my time and I am grateful for her incisive criticisms and for cracking the whip when needed. Her maddening attention to detail drove me to be more economical when using colons and dashes and with regard to phrases such as “with regard to”. Prof Laurence Wright, former Director of the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA) who encouraged me to embark upon postgraduate studies. Prof Monica Hendricks, Director of the ISEA, who has been supportive of my research and generously granted me leave when the end was in sight. The staff of the National English Literary Museum (NELM), for their willingness to assist and for always making me feel at home in their tea room. Thank you in particular to Thomas Jeffery, Andrew Martin, Crystal Warren, and Marike Beyers. Tim van Niekerk from the Dictionary Unit for South African English (DSAE), for happily answering some tricky questions. The English Department at Rhodes University, for their interesting weekly research seminars that are presented by local and visiting academics. Sheila Hicks for her meticulous proofreading and editing skills and for pointing out my typographaphaphical errors. Oom Schalk lookalike and moer koffie maker, Egbert van Bart, and the energetic Santa van Bart, as well as the Herman Charles Bosman Literary Society in Groot Marico who make the Bosman Festival come alive every October. My daughters Amy and Nathalia for visiting to cook their exotic vegetarian delights and for offering emotional support at times when it was most needed. My partner Paul for his calm manner and flexibility when the going got tough, and for taking over the cooking and cleaning during the last crucial weeks. Thank you for your love, encouragement, editing assistance and for helping me unwind by watching Sherlock and Homeland with me on television. To Tigger for curling up at my feet beneath my desk and Juju for sleeping on numerous drafts. The former being my dog and the latter my cat. Thank you all. iii List of Abbreviations Cask – A Cask of Jerepigo CV – Complete Voorkamer Stories DSAE – Dictionary Unit for South African English HCB – Herman Charles Bosman HRHRC – Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center MC – Makapan’s Caves MLO – My Life and Opinions RB – Recognising Blues SV – Starlight on the Veld TRC – Truth and Reconciliation Commission UD – Unto Dust (Ed. Stephen Gray) UDOS – Unto Dust and Other Stories (Ed. Craig MacKenzie) UE – Uncollected Essays VS – Verborge Skatte iv Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. iii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ iv Contents ..................................................................................................................................... v Introduction Why Read Herman Charles Bosman in Post-Apartheid South Africa? .............. 1 Chapter 1 “Complicated Entanglement” and the Concept of Hybridities ................................ 6 1.1 Introduction: Argument and Context for Interpretations of Hybridity ............................ 6 1.2 Background, Definitions and Theorists ............................................................................ 8 1.3 Hybridities and Identities in the Texts of Herman Charles Bosman .............................. 16 1.4 Straddling Two Cultures: Bosman as Verbindingsteken ................................................ 18 1.5 Conclusion: A Newly Awakened Culture ...................................................................... 20 Chapter 2 “The Insider’s Outsideness”: Cultural Identity and a Sense of Belonging ............ 22 2.1 Introduction: Herman Charles Bosman’s Hyphenated Identity ..................................... 22 2.2 A Man of Profound Contradictions ................................................................................ 23 2.3 A Paradoxical Doubleness: Bosman’s South African English....................................... 35 2.4 Bosman as Bohemian, Jo’burg Man and Modern Romantic Realist ............................. 37 2.5 Conclusion: The Good, the Bad and Bosman ................................................................ 40 Chapter 3 “Glorious Bastardization”: Life and Philosophy in Bosman’s Non-Fiction ........ 42 3.1 Introduction: Bosman’s Opinions on Life ...................................................................... 42 3.2 Inscribing an Indigenous South African Culture ............................................................ 44 3.3 Squalor and Magnificence .............................................................................................. 54 3.4 Conclusion: Philosophy of a Cultured Mongrel ............................................................. 61 v Chapter 4 Dual Explorations of One Experience: Bosman’s Short Stories ........................... 64 4.1 Introduction: Bilingual Bosman in a Polyglot South Africa .......................................... 64 4.2 Textured Hybridity: Bosman’s Short Stories ................................................................. 67 4.3 Dual Explorations: Textual Analyses ............................................................................. 70 4.4 Conclusion: Bridging the Gap ........................................................................................ 86 Chapter 5 Crossing Boundaries: Willemsdorp, a Novel ......................................................... 88 5.1 Introduction: Cultures in Contact ................................................................................... 88 5.2 Historical Contextualization ........................................................................................... 91 5.3 Characters and Setting: Big-time Intrigue in a Small-time Town .................................. 92 5.4 A Schizophrenic Reality: Mixed Languages, Races and Cultures ................................. 99 5.5 Dangerous Liaisons and the Immorality Act ............................................................... 102 5.6 The Hottentot Eve Myth ............................................................................................... 104 5.7 Conclusion: Moral Duplicity ........................................................................................ 106 Conclusion Bosman the Verbindingsteken .......................................................................... 109 Appendices ...........................................................................................................................