Literatuur en werklikheid by Sybren Polet, met besondere verwysing na die Lokien-figuur, veral in die roman Mannekino

Abstract

The relationship between literature and reality is a problem of literary theory on which literai (or literary critics) cannot achieve consensus of opinion or achieve any finality. This is a contentious issue and if one critic should claim ostensible uniqueness for his own theory many voices would go up against it. Should this critic, however, realize his theory in practice, his view would have to be accepted as one possible embodiment of reality. In essence, that is the field of this dissertation. The problem of the relationship between literature and reality as a problem of literary theory has been stated as a point of departure. This is followed by a more systematic representation of Sybren Polet's view as found in Literatuur als werkelijkheid. Maar welke? ("Literature as reality. But which?") as well as in other statements, interviews and discussions. The necessary attention was given to the criticism. This led to the conclusion that the above mentioned essay of Polet should really be used as a guide in the reading of his works. Polet's application of his ideas was measured against Bree kwater and Verboden Tijd , but especially Man - nekino. personage: All these works are centred on the Lokien This personage (Lokien) seems woven through all the works, so that while each retains its autonomy they seem to form a pliable sequence. Consciousness and fantasy create a timeless area where truth and untruth are in balance. Lokien moves on the borderline o f "Zijn en niet-zijn" ( "being and non-being"). He is the unfixed, the constantly metamorphozing character, ever acting in other shapes, situations and functions. He is an "open" figure, allowing Po let an "out" in all directions. All other literary techniques such as punctuation, typography, "ready mades" etc. are subjected to this, so that everything has to be filled in and complemented. In this way Polet leads the reader to an illimitable reality in order to help him gain a little richer material to fill his (the reader's) consciousness. Polet has thus justified his theory, with the aid of his creative work.