Kommunikasiemiddele in die poesie

Abstract

The function of both extratextual and intratextual relations in the decoding of poetic texts is illustrated in this study by means of an analysis and interpretation of Dylan Thomas's "This bread I break". The extratextual relations between, on the one hand, the poem and, on the other hand, an extra-textual reality are brought about by means of Biblical references to the Crucifixion, the Eucharist and the Christian custom of Communion. The intra-textual relations involve the cross-references established by means of metaphorical, syntactic, typographical and sound relations between semantically significant entities like words, phrases, verse lines and stanzas in a poem. Although extratextual and intratextual re­lations are both relevant in the decoding of poetic texts, it is the latter type of relation that has the greater semantic weight, in view of the fact that extratextual data are usually re­interpreted in a poem. Such a re-interpretation of extratextual data is brought about by communication devices like metaphorical constructions, syntactic deviation or patterning and sound repetition in a poem. In this study the above-mentioned devices of communica­tion are first described separately and then their joint contribution to the creation of intratextual relations in the Thomas poem is analysed. Finally, the consequences of the interaction between the extratextual and intratextual relations in the poem are explained.

Opsomming
Die funksie van sowel ekstratekstuele as intratekstuele relasies by die dekodering van poetiese tekste word in hierdie studie geillustreer aan die hand van 'n analise en interpreta­sie van Dylan Thomas se "This bread I break". Die ekstratekstuele relasies tussen ener­syds die gedig en andersyds 'n buitetekstuele werklikheid word bewerkstellig deur die Bybelse verwysings na die Kruisiging, die Laaste Avondmaal en die Christelike gebruik van Nagmaal. Die intratekstuele relasies raak die kruisverwysings wat deur middel van metaforiese, sintaktiese, tipografiese of klankverbande bewerkstellig word tussen seman­ties beduidende eenhede soos woorde, sinsnedes, versreels en strafes in die gedig. Alhoewel ekstratekstuele en intratekstuele relasies albei relevant is by die dekodering van poetiese tekste, is dit die laasgenoemde tipe relasies wat die grootste kommunikatiewe gewig dra, aangesien buitetekstuele gegewens gewoonlik binne die gedig herinterpreteer word. S6 'n herinterpretasie van buitetekstuele gegewens geskied met behulp van kommu­nikasiemiddele soos metaforiese konstruksies, sintaktiese afwyking of patroonvorming en klankherhalingspatrone in 'n gedig. In hierdie studie word die genoemde kommunikasie­middele eers afsonderlik beskryf voordat hulle gesamentlike bydrae in die totstandkoming van intratekstuele relasies in die Thomasgedig geanaliseer word. In 'n laaste stap word verduidelik wat die konsekwensies van die interaksie tussen ekstratekstuele en intra­tekstuele relasies in die gedig is.