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Title Anthropomorphism and social issues in selected Namibian children's literature
Full text http://hdl.handle.net/11070/3262
Date 2022
Author(s) Mubuyaeta, Mercy M.
Abstract A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (English studies) - This study explored the use of anthropomorphism in selected Namibian children's literature texts. The texts that formed part of the analysis were obtained from the anthology, The Stolen Water and Other Stories: Traditional Tales from Namibia (1993) retold by Jennifer Davis, and Mbinda (1998) by Izona Bock. The aforementioned texts were selected because of their use of anthropomorphised animals to address social issues in the Namibian society. The stories analysed were from different tribes such as the Khoisan people, the Ovambo, the Kavango the Herero, Nama and the Damara. The stories are of a folklore nature; thus, they tell the stories from the cultural perspectives of the Namibian people. The study aimed to explore how anthropomorphism as a literary technique is used to communicate social issues in the selected Namibian's children literature. The analysis of the data was guided by the folklorist theory, as well as primary and secondary sources on the Namibian and African cultures. The study is qualitative literary research and employed thematic analysis of the selected short stories. From the analysis, it was revealed that social issues such as discrimination, environmental destruction, crime, corruption, abuse and poverty are some of the prevalent problems raised in the various societies in Namibia. The study further revealed that most of the social issues are the consequences of the colonial legacy, the mismanagement of the country's resources and a disregard for culture. Moreover, the analysis appeared to suggest that possible solutions to the problems could be an inclusion of traditional methods as well as the revival of the spirit of Ubuntu in Namibian societies. Finally, the researcher recommends further studies of children's literature that explore possible imaginative solutions to social issues currently faced in Namibia.
Subject(s) Namibian literature; Anthropomorphism; Children
Language en
Publisher University of Namibia
Type of publication Thesis
Repository Windhoek - University of Namibia
Added to C-A: 2022-09-26;09:27:03