Idiolek van T.T. Cloete : vers, sin en Woord in jukstaposisie

Abstract

A preliminary investigation of Cloete's contribution to Afrikaans literature led to the hypothesis that his work as a critic strongly interacts with his poetry. ldiolek, his latest volume of verse, has in particular a prominent poetical component. It is shown that this can be traced back to earlier as well as concurrent statements by Cloete, the critic, and that the religious undertones of his poetry are presented in a more poetical way in this volume than in earlier• works. The point of departure is the assumption that the title ldiolek points towards Cloete's own literary idiolect. This volume is utilized as a key instrument towards attainment of the main goal which is to prove the interdependency of Cloete's creative work as an artist and his creative contributions as a literary critic and to describe the unique way in which these contributions express religious themes. Firstly the concept poet-critic is considered as framework for Cloete 's poetry . The structuralist approach is adopted in correspondence with Cloete's own approach and a framework is established in which the nature, goals and means of each component of the combination poet – critic can be formulated. It is established that the views of Cloete on the essence and meaning of verse as a literary form of art reflects in his poetry. For• example, he has stated that the visual elements incorporated in modern artistic texts contribute in an essential way to their meaning. This correlates strongly with his personal style as a poet and the thematic preoccupation with "the eye" in Idiolek. Typical aspects of his lexicon is also determined because repetitive use of certain words is part and parcel of literary idiolect. While focussing on the rational and intellectual content of ldiolek it becomes clear that detailed observation is embedded in Cloete's work. This is true of his critical as well as his creative literary activities. His analytical thinking as well as his poetical prowess comes to the fore in his language virtuosity. Complementary to this stand the explicit Christian norms which, for instance, modifies his satire. Special attention is given to the scriptural intertextuality in Idiolek as well as earlier manifestations of this facet of Cloete's Idiolect . Working within the framework of the Calvinistic Christian schools of thought he has succeeded in an ever• increasing way to develop his own religious poetical code based on biblical truths. In Idiolek it is forcefully demonstrated how the lyrical subject enters into an intimate personal conversation with God without ever reducing God to the level of man. An alternative strategy is then implemented to reveal new aspects of or•to confirm earlier insights into the essential characteristics of Cloete's poetry. Adapting a model of investigation utilized by G.J . Dorlijn (1984) for similar purposes, a detailed study is made of manuscripts, texts and sources of ten related poems named "transkripsie" in ldiolek. By focussing on deliberate changes made by the poet as well as patterns emerging from these procedures additional facets of Cloete's idiolect can be formuIated. Finally a resume of the findings is compared with and corroborated by the reception of Cloete's first four volumes of verse . It is concluded that Cloete's dual role as a poet-critic is complemented by the religious base on which he stands and that these components contribute to the essence and quality of his poetry. In him we indeed have a successfull union of instinct, intellect and faith.