Karakterisering en die gebruik van verwysings na psalms, gesange en hallelujaliedere in die roman Agaat van Marlene van Niekerk

Abstract

Characterisation and the use of references to psalms, hymns and hallelujah songs in Marlene van Niekerk’s novel Agaat

The qualities of the main characters in Marlene van Niekerk‟s Afrikaans novel “Agaat” (2004) are often emphasised by the use of references to classical, folk and sacred music. As religious songs constitute an integral part of the Afrikaans community, it is fitting to include references to the texts of psalms, hymns and hallelujah hymns in an Afrikaans novel set on a farm. The novel makes extensive use of such references to portray the characters and their context. These references form one of the most important means of characterisation in the novel. The texts are often used by the characters in a harsh and ironic way – and without respect for the religious content – but there are also some touching situations in which the original religious context is retained.