The father in two Afrikaner nationalist plays by J.F.W. Grosskopf.

Abstract

In this article I investigate the rOle of the father within nationalism by analysing two obscure plays, Padbrekers (1947) and Legende (1942) by J.F.W. Grosskopf. Through the use of psycho-analysis I have come to the conclusion that nationalism constitutes a melancholy­related guilt reaction to the death of the father. Synonymous with the death of the father is the experience of the apocalyptic downfall of the fatherland as a result of capitalist expansion and the concomitant materialism. Underlying this experience is the inability to form a libidinal relationship with the world (as object). The nationalist feels threatened by the materialist world-picture which implies an object-relationship with the world.

Opsomming
In die volgende artikel ondersoek ek die rol van die vader binne die nasionalisme deur gebruik te maak van twee minder bekende dramas, Padbrekers (1947) en Legende (1942) deur J.F.W. Grosskopf. Die nasionalisme word psigoanalities ontleed as 'n melancholie­verwante skuldreaksie op die dood van die vader. Sinoniem met die dood van die vader is die ervaring van die apokaliptiese ondergang van die vaderland as gevolg van kapitalis­tiese ekspansie en die meegaande materialisme. Onderliggend aan hierdie ervaring is die onvermoe om 'n libidinale verhouding met die wereld - d.w.s. met die wereld as objek - aan te gaan. Die nasionalis voel bedreig deur materialistiese denksisteme wat 'n objekver­houding met die wereld veronderstel.