In the decades before the turn of the 19th to the 20th century Dutch writer Maurits Wagenvoort traveled across both the geographical and intellectual landscapes of Europe. Struggling with being an...Show moreIn the decades before the turn of the 19th to the 20th century Dutch writer Maurits Wagenvoort traveled across both the geographical and intellectual landscapes of Europe. Struggling with being an individual within the masses of an ever expanding (literary) world around 1900, Wagenvoort looks up to the modern intellectuals, artist and dreamers of his time. Three of them in particular act as his guides through this modern quest: Walt Whitman, Friedrich Nietzsche and Lev Tolstoj. Although Wagenvoort and his work is often left out in literary histories, why is a cultural history of his wrestle -- and that of his temporaries -- with living in a modern society still relevant for the 21st century?Show less
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
