An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa Valenzuela

As authors and women writing within a postcolonial paradigm. Head and Valenzuela posit power relations as a prominent feature in their respective novels, A Question of Power and Cola de Lagartija. These texts specifically expose the multi-layered scope of power relations and confirm the presence of...

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Main Author: M. Wenzel
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 1998-04-01
Series:Literator
Online Access:https://literator.org.za/index.php/literator/article/view/512
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spelling doaj-59f260327a114ceea23837b18f2e76642020-11-24T22:57:23ZafrAOSISLiterator0258-22792219-82371998-04-01191516410.4102/lit.v19i1.512449An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa ValenzuelaM. Wenzel0Department of English, Potchefstroom University for CHEAs authors and women writing within a postcolonial paradigm. Head and Valenzuela posit power relations as a prominent feature in their respective novels, A Question of Power and Cola de Lagartija. These texts specifically expose the multi-layered scope of power relations and confirm the presence of such dynamics within the fabric of society and history. Different perspectives/voices represent the dynamics of social context as a series of power relations best interpreted by Bakhtin's perception of the dialogic principle operative in literature. In A Question of Power and The Lizard’s Tail, the abuse of power is challenged and exposed by the different narrators in their capacity as protagonists, narrators and authors. In this way they assert their powers as subjects, individuals, women; they gain a voice, an identity, and can proceed to make history as well as make history (in both the historical and literary sense). By writing, or perhaps re-conceptualizing their past as individuals and writers. Head and Valenzuela have been enabled to forge their own future.https://literator.org.za/index.php/literator/article/view/512
collection DOAJ
language Afrikaans
format Article
sources DOAJ
author M. Wenzel
spellingShingle M. Wenzel
An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa Valenzuela
Literator
author_facet M. Wenzel
author_sort M. Wenzel
title An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa Valenzuela
title_short An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa Valenzuela
title_full An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa Valenzuela
title_fullStr An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa Valenzuela
title_full_unstemmed An approach to power relations: Bessie Head and Luisa Valenzuela
title_sort approach to power relations: bessie head and luisa valenzuela
publisher AOSIS
series Literator
issn 0258-2279
2219-8237
publishDate 1998-04-01
description As authors and women writing within a postcolonial paradigm. Head and Valenzuela posit power relations as a prominent feature in their respective novels, A Question of Power and Cola de Lagartija. These texts specifically expose the multi-layered scope of power relations and confirm the presence of such dynamics within the fabric of society and history. Different perspectives/voices represent the dynamics of social context as a series of power relations best interpreted by Bakhtin's perception of the dialogic principle operative in literature. In A Question of Power and The Lizard’s Tail, the abuse of power is challenged and exposed by the different narrators in their capacity as protagonists, narrators and authors. In this way they assert their powers as subjects, individuals, women; they gain a voice, an identity, and can proceed to make history as well as make history (in both the historical and literary sense). By writing, or perhaps re-conceptualizing their past as individuals and writers. Head and Valenzuela have been enabled to forge their own future.
url https://literator.org.za/index.php/literator/article/view/512
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