The Politics of Canon Formation in Literary Theory- for Example: Realism and the Popular Front

Abstract

This article shows how literary theory has been entangled in the process of canon formation, with particular reference to the Expressionism or Realism Debate in Germany in the 1930's. Certain positions expounded in this debate have found their way into the manifestoes of cultural activisms in South Africa in the 1980's. They rely on populist tactics which are seen to be necessitated by both anti-fascist and anti-imperialist struggles. This article problematises the equation of apartheid and fascism, and the assumption of a form of resistance common to both.

Opsomming
In hierdie artikel word, met spesifieke verwysing na die Ekspressionisme of Realisme debat in Duitsland gedurende die dertigerjare, aangetoon hoe literatuurteorie verstrengel geraak het in die proses van kanonvorming. Sekere posisies wat in hierdie debat uiteengesit is, het hulle weg gevind na die manifesto's van kulturele aktivismes in Suid-Afrika in die tagtigerjare. Hulle steun op populistiese taktiek wat genoodsaak word deur sowel anti-fascistiese as anti-imperialistiese "struggles". In hierdie artikel word die gelykstelling tussen apartheid en fascisme en die veronderstelling van 'n vorm van weerstand by albei geproblematiseer.