Zungu, Shattered Dreams and a Multiplicity of Readerships in Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi
Abstract
In this article, I present two main arguments. The first argument addresses aesthetic concerns, namely Sol Plaatje’s complex use of oral narratives-as-allegories in his novel, Mhudi. I argue that these allegories, while partly serving a similar purpose to that of proverbs, are complicated by the fact that they are self-reflexive. This self-reflexivity often lays itself open to multiple interpretations, which in turn tend to make the overall political meaning of the novel complex and rather ambiguous. The second argument, which is inextricably linked to the first, addresses itself to questions of readership. Here I argue that the use of oral narratives-as-allegories serves to suggest and project multiple readerships – both national and international. I further argue that Mhudi’s projected national readership cannot simply be reduced to white, as some critics seem to suggest. There are small, but significant, hints that suggest that the novel is addressed to various racial and ethnic groups. I engage in a close reading of the story of Zungu of Old to support my arguments.
Opsomming
Hierdie artikel bestaan uit twee hoofargumente. Die eerste argument spreek die estetiese aan, naamlik Sol Plaatje se komplekse gebruik van mondelinge narratiewe- as-allegorieë in sy roman, Mhudi. Die outeur beweer dat hierdie allegorieë, terwyl hulle dieselfde doel as spreekwoorde dien, gekompliseerd raak omdat hulle selfrefleksief is. Hierdie selfwederkering kan lei tot veelvuldige vertolkings, wat weer op hulle beurt die algehele politieke betekenis van die roman kompleks en selfs dubbelsinnig kan maak. Die tweede argument, wat onlosmaaklik met die eerste een verweef is, handel oor die kwessie van leserskap. Hier beweer die skrywer dat die gebruik van mondelinge narratiewe as allegorieë op ‘n omvattende en veelvuldige leserskring sinspeel, nasionaal sowel as internasionaal. Die outeur redeneer verder dat Mhudi se geprojekteerde nasionale leserskring nie net soos sommige kritici skynbaar beweer, tot die blanke beperk kan word nie. Daar is klein, maar beduidende, verwysings wat daarop dui dat die roman ‘n appèl rig tot verskeie rasse en etniese groepe. Ter stawing van bogenoemde argumente word die verhaal van Zungu of Old met besondere aandag bestudeer.
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