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Benevolence and Malevolence

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Transition and Transgression

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Abstract

This chapter moves on to a discussion of dystopian and post-apocalyptic texts, set in an imagined future South African landscape. The earlier works from the turn of the century describe totalitarian societies generally imposed as a result of human failings. Almost a decade passed before authors again attempted to explore possible future societies following a cataclysmic event. These societies are also controlled from above with a strict hierarchical social structure. In each the works discussed the young adult protagonists represent opposition to the status quo, and provide varying degrees of hope that change can be achieved. Themes addressed include inclusion and exclusion, benevolence and malevolence, violation and sanctuary. Parallels are drawn with international English-language dystopian novels which share many of the features of the local works.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    My (We) was the first novel to be banned by the Soviet censorship bureau and was smuggled to the West for publication.

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Correspondence to Judith Inggs .

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Inggs, J. (2016). Benevolence and Malevolence. In: Transition and Transgression. SpringerBriefs in Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25534-7_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25534-7_7

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-25532-3

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