Character in the novel Mntanami, Mntanami, by C.L.S. Nyembezi

Abstract

Different methods for the representation of character were studied in this min-dissertation. These were especially applied to the representation of character in the novel Mntanami, Mntanamil by the author CLS Nyembezi. With regard to theories in terms of the links between characters and characterization, the following deductions can be made: As regards the existence of a character, this study sides with Brink (1987:68) when he say that The build-up of character from the data in the narratorial text is an activity that has to be undertaken by the reader I a character, to my mind, is therefore something that comes into being from constructions made by readers. The character, according to Brink (1987:69) comes into being through the interaction among text, story and the narrational process and should be seen in terms of being a function of the three worlds. Characters are therefore not subservient to events or wholly independent, but exist as part of the whole of the narrative elements. The adjusted model of Bal (1980:96-98) can be used very fruitfully in the study of character in Mntanami, Mntanamil. The author used the sources of information as outlined in the theory to discuss the characters. Explicit information about each character was given. The implicit information can also be picked up by the reader. The author is very well informed about Zulu tradition and is an excellent exponent of the language. The reader has to read with care and take good note of the traditional Zulu customs in order to obtain this implicit information. The general literary theory is applicable to the specific literature, as emerges from this study. A classification of Greimas' model of binary oppositions of actants was used fruitfully in this study to place the characters and to explain the intrigues in the story. Finally it needs to be said that characters and characterization constitute a topic which rests very strongly on personal notions, but there are general rules for the representation of character. The author, C.L.S. Nyembezi represented the characters in the novel Mntanami, Mntanami! in accordance with these rules, but still in a unique manner, because he is a person with very special abilities.