Literature, politics and universalism: A debate between Es'kia Mphahlele and J.M. Coetzee

Abstract

A debate is constructed in the field of South African literary aesthetics between Es'kia Mphahlele's "African humanism· and J.M. Coetzee's" post-modernist practice. The two writers are linked by their approach to the "problem" of creative writing in South Africa in relation to political factors. Where Mphahlele makes a distinction of value between "local'' and "transcendental" forms of expression, arguing that political constraints prevent South African writing from transcending the "tyranny of place", Coetzee regards the local/univer­sal polarity as an ideologically loaded construct within which a certain order of terms are subservient. For Coetzee, dealing with politics must first be addressed at the level of the politics of writing, while Mphahlele situates the "problem· of politics outside the sphere of language.

Opsomming

'n Debat word gekonstrueer op die terrein van Suid-Afrikaanse literere estetiek tussen Es'kia Mphahlele se "Afrlka humanisme" en J.M. Coetzee se postmodernistiese praktyk. Die "probleem" van skeppende skrywe in Suid-Afrika gekoppel aan politieke faktore, is die bindende faktor tussen die twee skrywers. Mphahlele sien 'n waardeverskil tussen "lokale" en "transendentale" vorme van uitdrukking. Sy argument is dat politieke begrensings Suid­Afrikaanse skrywe tot die ''tirannie van plek" beperk. Coetzee weer, beskou die lokale/ universele polariteit as 'n ideologies gelaaide konstruksie waarbinne 'n sekere orde van terme werkbaar is. Vir Coetzee moet politiek eerstens op die vlak van die politiek van skrywe gehanteer word, terwyl Mphahlele die "probleem" van politiek buite die sfeer van taal situeer.