Doc Immelman in Namibies-Afrikaanse literatuur

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

It is concluded that, although the early works of Doc Immelman definitely include stereotyping of gender and racial roles, some of his newer manuscripts deconstruct these older texts. In this regard his work can be relevant in the context of a post-colonial Namibia

Because of the extent of his work and the popularity of his works among a certain portion of Afrikaans readers, the image that these readers have of Namibia, its environment, its history and of race relations in the country has to an great extent been influenced by Immelman's fiction. Typical of the frontier type adventure stories a certain approach to relationships with other races emerged from his works which often led to the formation of stereotypes of preferred versus unacceptable inter-racial behavior

The thesis offers a review of contemporary Namibian Afrikaans literature, gives an overview of Immelman's works in this context and offers a theoretical perspective on the frontier fiction genre with reference to Immelman's work. It then analyzes the position of Immelman's work in a pre-independent and an independent Namibia, with specific reference to racial and political stereotypes in his publications. It refers to other indigenous and resistance literature and shows how a deconstruction of these stereotypes regarding race and gender in Namibia took place