The same difference: Jesusa Palancares and Poppie Nongena’s testimonies of oppression

Abstract

Two women's texts from postcolonial countries, Mexico and South Africa, on different continents show surprising correspondences in subject matter and style. Elena Poniatowska’s Hasta no verte Jesús mío (Till I meet you, my Jesus) and Elsa Joubert's Die swerfjare van Poppie Nongena (The journey of Poppie Nongena) examples of testimonial writing, both address issues of gender and politics in an innovative way. They combine autobiography and biography to render a dramatic account of social injustice despite their disparate backgrounds/cultures and subtle differences in style. In comparison, the texts not only affirm the validity of women’s writing and contribute to its enrichment, but also constitute a valuable contribution towards the formulation of a general feminist aesthetics. In fact, they illustrate conclusively that comparative literature fulfils a vital function in the exploration and interpretation of women's literature from different cultures.