The Dynamics of Being: Land as a Catalyst of Political and Cultural Law - A Comparison of 'Time of the Butcherbird' and 'The Stone Country'

Scientific Essay from the year 2014 in the subject African Studies - Miscellaneous, grade: 1, University of Botswana, language: English, abstract: The Dynamics of Being: land as a catalyst of political and cultural law. A Comparison of Time of The Butcherbird and The Stone Country Abstract In South African literature, more than anywhere else, the land is at the root of everything. The upheaval caused by apartheid and the social dynamics of relationships both within and across the colour line are instigated by the land. Alex La Guma as a realist shows how the South African 'condition' is precipitated by the land. The paper looks at how the landscape holds the society hostage whether one is free or behind bars. The argument is that writers and critics of South African literature cannot fully understand the spectrum of race relations if they overlook the role of the landscape. My analysis of Alex La Guma's texts shows how both whites and blacks mould their identity on the landscape and how their philosophy on life and relationship with one another is buttressed by what it means to have access to this natural resource.

Wazha Lopang is a lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Botswana. His area of interest is oral literature and the gender politics within. He has written articles arguing that the African trickster is androgynous and not male as some storytellers and listeners believe. He is co-editor and contributor of AMANTLE! , a book that focuses on Botswana Literature. Currently he is working on how the dislocation of minorities affects rituals that involve species alien to their new environment.. He has published a short story for The Caine Prize Workshop (2013), The Strange Dance of The Calabash. He was the winner of the 2015 Poetavango short story competition for his story, The Small Matter of the Jelly. He was second runner up in the 2012 Bessie Head Competition. His novel, The Guardian of the Spirit Stone was published online by Just Fiction.