Die komplisering van die verhaaleinde as Postmodemistiese verskynsel

Abstract

In this article the complication of narrative endings is considered a Postmoder­nistic convention. Problematic endings are also frequently seen as a characteristic of so­called metafictional narratives - texts which self-consciously draw attention to how they have been constructed.
Some critics are of the opinion that metafictionality only concerns the exploitation of literary conventions and that, therefore, the relationship with the "objective reality" is severed. I would rather go along with those critics who pose a very close connection between, on the one hand, literary and, on the other hand, social conventions.
Three novels and one anthology of short stories are discussed as an illustration of problematic endings, specifically multiple endings. This is preceded by a short analysis of the endings of so-called realistic narratives, since Postmodern endings are mostly in reaction to these types of endings.
The analyses demonstrate that the complication of a literary convention, such as the ending, does not necessarily result in commentary on social conventions. In texts where it does happen, for instance The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles and Koos Prinsloo's Die hemel/ help ons, it becomes clear that reality and fiction can well be distinguished. Specifically, these texts further illustrate that the division between reality and fiction is also only a convention which can and must continually be transcended.

Opsomming
Die komplisering van die verhaaleinde word in hierdie artikel spesifiek as 'n Postmodernis­tiese verskynsel gedui. Problematiese eindes is daarbenewens dikwels 'n kenmerk van sg. metafiksionele verhale, m.a.w. tekste waarin doelbewus die aandag gevestig word op die wyse waarop 'n verhaal tot stand kom.
Sommige kritici is van mening dat metafiksionaliteit slegs verband hou met die eksplisi­tering van literere konvensies en dat die verband met die "objektiewe werklikheid" hierdeur volledig opgeskort word. Ek wil eerder aansluit by diegene wat van mening is dat metafik­sionele tekste juis 'n baie n6u verband kan le tussen enersyds literere en andersyds sosiale konvensies.
Ter illustrasie van problematiese eindes, spesifiek in die vorm van meerdere eindes, word drie ri:>mans en een kortverhaalbundel bespreek. Dit word voorafgegaan deur 'n kort uiteensetting van die konvensies random die eindes van sg. realistiese verhale, aangesien dit in 'n groot mate die soort eindes is waarteen in Postmodernistiese verhale gereageer word.
Ult die ontledings blyk dat nie alle metafiksionele tekste sander meer die problematise­ring van 'n literere konvensie, soos bv. die einde van 'n verhaal, laat resulteer in kommen­taar op sosiale konvensies nie. In tekste waar dit wel gebeur, bv. in The French Lieuten­ant's Woman van John Fowles en sekere verhale in Koos Prinsloo se Die heme/ help ons, is dit opvallend dat die grense tussen werklikheid en fiksie wel onderskei kan word, maar voorts illustreer juis die tekste dat hierdie grense 66k konvensioneel bepaald is en voortdu­rend kan en moet oorskry word.