Abstract

VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, Loraine  and  VAN NIEKERK, Jacomien. 'White' poverty and 'white' privilege in selected Afrikaans novels for young adults. Literator [online]. 2019, vol.40, n.1, pp.1-10. ISSN 2219-8237.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/lit.v40i1.1592.

This article examines the representation of 'white' poverty in selected Afrikaans novels for young adults published between 1990 and 2014: Droomwa (1990) by Barrie Hough, Die optog van die aftjoppers (1994) by George Weideman, Vaselinetjie (2004) by Anoeschka von Meck, Roepman (2004) by Jan van Tonder, Lien se lankstaanskoene (2008) by Derick van der Walt and Iewers vlieg daar fairy dust (2014) by Marisa Haasbroek. In these novels, poverty functions as a feature of the so-called problem book and coming of age novel. The novels are analysed, however, by employing critical whiteness studies as an overarching theoretical framework. Indicators of the 'white' characters' poverty are identified with regard to description, dialogue, actions and place with the aim of determining how and why these representations are evident in the novels. Apartheid is the backdrop for two of the novels; here, 'white' poverty is portrayed in a nostalgic manner. In the other novels, 'white' poverty is portrayed as irreconcilable with 'whiteness'; 'white' privilege prevails.

Keywords : Afrikaans literature; critical whiteness studies; discourse; poor white problem; poverty; post-apartheid literature; representation; South African literature; whiteness; youth literature.

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