Research master thesis | Literary Studies (research) (MA)
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Dutch Antillean writer Boeli van Leeuwen is strikingly absent in the study of Dutch postcolonial literature, despite his status as one of Dutch' most important Caribbean authors. Till this day,...Show moreDutch Antillean writer Boeli van Leeuwen is strikingly absent in the study of Dutch postcolonial literature, despite his status as one of Dutch' most important Caribbean authors. Till this day, only a few articles have been devoted to Van Leeuwen's oeuvre. In this thesis, I aim to formulate an answer to the question: in what way do Van Leeuwen's novels 'Schilden van leem' en 'Het teken van Jona' generate meaning? Why is it that 'plain facts' are insufficient to tackle these works? In my analysis I am proposing six possible readings that account for Van Leeuwen's novels that are overflowing with meaning. By studying their use of intertextuality, allegory, irony, Relation, metafiction and 'Caribbeanness,' I attempt to make the abundance productive that the reader encounters. In my conclusion I will argue that Van Leeuwen is ultimately reflecting on knowledge itself, since his writing constantly redirects the reader, without allowing a singular interpretation. The multiple voices, languages and traditions brought forth resist the monotonous and unambiguous discourse of the referential readings. Van Leeuwens fictional reality ultimately points towards itself and demonstrates the fiction hiding behind so-called plain facts.Show less
The film Cría Cuervos, produced by Spanish director Carlos Saura in 1975 and screened for the first time in January 1976 in Madrid, combines a narrative as well as allegorical meaning and this...Show moreThe film Cría Cuervos, produced by Spanish director Carlos Saura in 1975 and screened for the first time in January 1976 in Madrid, combines a narrative as well as allegorical meaning and this constitutes the reason for choosing this specific film as a topic for the following thesis. The film is not only situated in-between the classical and the art film narrative but furthermore it marks the transitional crossroad at which Spain was at that moment: namely, the end of the Franco regime and the beginning of a democratic Spain. Because of the unique moment of production of Cría Cuervos it is so interesting to investigate the political as well as non-political idea behind the film. Questions such as how the film makes use of both, traits of the classical and modern art film cinema narrative and consequently if the film should be read as a classical or modern art film after all will be addressed. Furthermore, the thesis investigates whether Cría Cuervos can be rather understood as a mode of reading. Therefore, it will be analyzed as an allegory in comparison to the narrative analysis.Show less
This thesis is a genre criticism. In it I will argue that Stephen King's epic, The Stand, can be seen as a contemporary (written) version of the medieval morality play. In the thesis I will compare...Show moreThis thesis is a genre criticism. In it I will argue that Stephen King's epic, The Stand, can be seen as a contemporary (written) version of the medieval morality play. In the thesis I will compare The Stand with other works of the morality play genre, such as Everyman and Mundus et Infans. Both The Stand share generic cues (discussed by John Frow) such as structure, theme and the allegorical aspects.Show less
