The binary oppositions in a Setswana short story : O nkutlwe, by R.M. Malope

• Main Author: Nchoe, Mokgethi Alphanious
• Other Authors: Van der Westhuizen, E.S., Pretorius, R.S.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: Binary; Binary oppositions; Short story; Lévi-Strauss; Setswana; African languages; Strauss; Tsimshian; Tsimshian*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/14637

Thesis (MA (Tswana))--PU for CHE, 1998 The basic aim of this mini-dissertation is to apply the Levi-Straussian theory to the Setswana short story: 0 nkutlwe by R.M. Malope in order to determine the dynamism of binary oppositions in the structure of the story and relate these to the context of the Batswana community. The study is divided into four chapters. The objectives as well as the central problem are outlined and motivated in the first chapter. The second chapter deals with the theoretical concepts. An explanation of binary oppositions and a discussion of the Levi-Straussian theory with reference to the Tsimshian myth, The story of Asdiwal are provided. The third chapter concentrates on the structural analysis of 0 nkutlwe in the context of the Batswana community. The binary oppositions are identified in the essential aspects of the structure of the story on various levels (the geographic, economic, sociological and cosmological) according to LeviStrauss's theory. The theme of contrast between modern life and traditional life should not be misunderstood as an attack on modem life as such, but as an appeal to the Batswana community not to disregard their tradition. Chapter four is a summary of the main points of this study and conclusion. In 2:eneral it can be concluded that Levi-Strauss theory can be successfully applied to a reading of modem literature. Masters