Literary Representations Of Stigmatisation And Myths Surrounding Death In The Novels The Purple Violet Of Oshaantu By Neshani Andreas And The Other Presence By Francis Sifiso Nyathi

ABSTRACT

This research study is an analysis of literary representation of stigmas and myths associated with death in the two selected novels, namely: The Purple Violet of Oshaantu by Neshani Andreas and The Other Presence by Francis Sifiso Nyathi. The two novels analysed in this research project were selected because they both emphasised on the theme of death. The thesis used The Social Dominance Theory to analyse the impacts that stigmas and myths associated with death usually have on the victims. The study revealed that widows are often mistreated by their husbands’ families and relatives as portrayed by Andreas in The Purple Violet of Oshaantu. Equally, the study revealed how mostly those who are closely related to the deceased are mistreated by the mourners and the community as portrayed by Nyathi in The Other Presence. Furthermore, the study showed that education can be used to help eradicate myths and stigmas associated with death. All in all these two books offer a voice to the voiceless people who have lost their loved ones such as Mee Kauna, Mee Saara and Elder Sinvula to stand up for themselves and not let myths and stigmas associated with death silence them.