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Lessons in writing the biography of the crossover poet, Olga Kirsch

Lessons in writing the biography of the crossover poet, Olga Kirsch

Authors :
Egonne Roth
Source :
Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, Vol 54, Iss 1 (2017)
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
Tydskrif vir Letterkunde Association, 2017.

Abstract

Olga Kirsch was an English-speaking Jewess who wrote and published poetry in Afrikaans. As such she exemplifies a crossover poet who introduces the voice of the other into a national canon in her case, the only Jewish voice in Afrikaans poetry. Three questions were raised in the research and writing of her biography. The first concerns the extent to which she, as a Jew, was influenced by the dominant culture in which she grew up. The second seems more complex: What influence has Olga Kirsch had on the dominant culture was she able to influence the South African Afrikaans culture and literature in any way? Third, to what extent does the multi-culturalism of Kirsch affect the process of research and writing her biography; are there problems specific to writing the biography of a cross-cultural writer?

Details

Language :
Afrikaans, English, French, Dutch; Flemish
ISSN :
0041476X and 23099070
Volume :
54
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Tydskrif vir Letterkunde
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6b608d1b72bd4f2eb84d8f9b509c2c39
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.17159/tvl.v.54i1.4