In this paper, it is argued that Firenze, the centaur, Griphook, the goblin,and Dobby, the house-... more In this paper, it is argued that Firenze, the centaur, Griphook, the goblin,and Dobby, the house-elf can be seen to function within a complex dialectic of appropriation and resistance that mirrors enduring patterns of colonial and postcolonial interaction. Similarly, it will be suggested that the uneasy positions occupied by these characters may correspond in some ways to that of Gayatri Spivak’s (1992) ‘subaltern”, a colonial subject constructed both by European discourse and his or her internalization of that discourse.
It is a truism that learners in the foundation phase learn to read while those in the intermediat... more It is a truism that learners in the foundation phase learn to read while those in the intermediate phase read to learn. However, this paper examines research indicating that a high percentage of learners never manage the transition from reasonably accurate to fl uent reading, and suggests possible strategies for addressing this problem area within a South African context. These strategies include setting aside more time for reading aloud to children in the intermediate phase; addressing the shortage of novels in indigenous languages suitable for older children in South Africa; and countering adult prejudice against popular fi ction such as JK Rowling's Harry Potter books and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. It will be suggested that works such as these, which are relatively long but fast-paced and generically unchallenging, can be very helpful in developing reading fl uency: and that widespread adult resistance to them may actually be preventing young readers from accessing the very texts best suited to encouraging them to bridge this crucial divide.
This paper compares 'Whale Rider' by Ihimaera with 'The Hidden Star' by K. Sello Duiker and sugge... more This paper compares 'Whale Rider' by Ihimaera with 'The Hidden Star' by K. Sello Duiker and suggests that both works develop characteristics of a new kind of fantasy rooted in post-colonial awareness.
This paper examines possible explanations for the paucity of fantasy in South African books for ... more This paper examines possible explanations for the paucity of fantasy in South African books for older children of young adult readers.
Chris Mann openly acknowledges the importance for his writing of the Zulu concept
of the shades.... more Chris Mann openly acknowledges the importance for his writing of the Zulu concept
of the shades. This article examines his use of this key aspect of Zulu spirituality and
argues that its presence in his poetry allows him to affirm a consciously-created African
identity. By doing this, it will be suggested that Mann both subverts the rigidly physical
categorizations of racial politics and creates a third space in which he places himself at
once between and beside ‘the assumed “polarities” of conflict’ (Homi K. Bhabha, 1999).
One might assume that the shifting potentialities inherent in the replacement
of a universe wi... more One might assume that the shifting potentialities inherent in the replacement
of a universe with a multiverse would be inimical to the essential qualities of youth
literature which, as Nikolajeva has argued, is generally based on “simplicity, stability
and optimism” (2002:25). Yet this article hopes to demonstrate that the idea of alternate
universes has, in fact, been particularly suggestively manipulated in contemporary young
adult fiction.
In this paper, it is argued that Firenze, the centaur, Griphook, the goblin,and Dobby, the house-... more In this paper, it is argued that Firenze, the centaur, Griphook, the goblin,and Dobby, the house-elf can be seen to function within a complex dialectic of appropriation and resistance that mirrors enduring patterns of colonial and postcolonial interaction. Similarly, it will be suggested that the uneasy positions occupied by these characters may correspond in some ways to that of Gayatri Spivak’s (1992) ‘subaltern”, a colonial subject constructed both by European discourse and his or her internalization of that discourse.
It is a truism that learners in the foundation phase learn to read while those in the intermediat... more It is a truism that learners in the foundation phase learn to read while those in the intermediate phase read to learn. However, this paper examines research indicating that a high percentage of learners never manage the transition from reasonably accurate to fl uent reading, and suggests possible strategies for addressing this problem area within a South African context. These strategies include setting aside more time for reading aloud to children in the intermediate phase; addressing the shortage of novels in indigenous languages suitable for older children in South Africa; and countering adult prejudice against popular fi ction such as JK Rowling's Harry Potter books and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. It will be suggested that works such as these, which are relatively long but fast-paced and generically unchallenging, can be very helpful in developing reading fl uency: and that widespread adult resistance to them may actually be preventing young readers from accessing the very texts best suited to encouraging them to bridge this crucial divide.
This paper compares 'Whale Rider' by Ihimaera with 'The Hidden Star' by K. Sello Duiker and sugge... more This paper compares 'Whale Rider' by Ihimaera with 'The Hidden Star' by K. Sello Duiker and suggests that both works develop characteristics of a new kind of fantasy rooted in post-colonial awareness.
This paper examines possible explanations for the paucity of fantasy in South African books for ... more This paper examines possible explanations for the paucity of fantasy in South African books for older children of young adult readers.
Chris Mann openly acknowledges the importance for his writing of the Zulu concept
of the shades.... more Chris Mann openly acknowledges the importance for his writing of the Zulu concept
of the shades. This article examines his use of this key aspect of Zulu spirituality and
argues that its presence in his poetry allows him to affirm a consciously-created African
identity. By doing this, it will be suggested that Mann both subverts the rigidly physical
categorizations of racial politics and creates a third space in which he places himself at
once between and beside ‘the assumed “polarities” of conflict’ (Homi K. Bhabha, 1999).
One might assume that the shifting potentialities inherent in the replacement
of a universe wi... more One might assume that the shifting potentialities inherent in the replacement
of a universe with a multiverse would be inimical to the essential qualities of youth
literature which, as Nikolajeva has argued, is generally based on “simplicity, stability
and optimism” (2002:25). Yet this article hopes to demonstrate that the idea of alternate
universes has, in fact, been particularly suggestively manipulated in contemporary young
adult fiction.
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resistance that mirrors enduring patterns of colonial and postcolonial interaction. Similarly, it will be
suggested that the uneasy positions occupied by these characters may correspond in some ways to that of
Gayatri Spivak’s (1992) ‘subaltern”, a colonial subject constructed both by European discourse and his or
her internalization of that discourse.
of the shades. This article examines his use of this key aspect of Zulu spirituality and
argues that its presence in his poetry allows him to affirm a consciously-created African
identity. By doing this, it will be suggested that Mann both subverts the rigidly physical
categorizations of racial politics and creates a third space in which he places himself at
once between and beside ‘the assumed “polarities” of conflict’ (Homi K. Bhabha, 1999).
of a universe with a multiverse would be inimical to the essential qualities of youth
literature which, as Nikolajeva has argued, is generally based on “simplicity, stability
and optimism” (2002:25). Yet this article hopes to demonstrate that the idea of alternate
universes has, in fact, been particularly suggestively manipulated in contemporary young
adult fiction.
resistance that mirrors enduring patterns of colonial and postcolonial interaction. Similarly, it will be
suggested that the uneasy positions occupied by these characters may correspond in some ways to that of
Gayatri Spivak’s (1992) ‘subaltern”, a colonial subject constructed both by European discourse and his or
her internalization of that discourse.
of the shades. This article examines his use of this key aspect of Zulu spirituality and
argues that its presence in his poetry allows him to affirm a consciously-created African
identity. By doing this, it will be suggested that Mann both subverts the rigidly physical
categorizations of racial politics and creates a third space in which he places himself at
once between and beside ‘the assumed “polarities” of conflict’ (Homi K. Bhabha, 1999).
of a universe with a multiverse would be inimical to the essential qualities of youth
literature which, as Nikolajeva has argued, is generally based on “simplicity, stability
and optimism” (2002:25). Yet this article hopes to demonstrate that the idea of alternate
universes has, in fact, been particularly suggestively manipulated in contemporary young
adult fiction.