Abstract:
In this study, I investigate how space as a single narratological element is used in Karin Brynard’s Plaasmoord (2009) (Weeping Waters) in terms of character development, the building of suspense, and how space influences the plot. I also analyse the coherence between space and themes, which include racial tension, land expropriation and farm murders. Brynard’s detective novel is analysed primarily using André P. Brink’s outline of concrete spaces vs. abstract spaces. This study comprises four chapters. The first chapter focuses on the background of South African crime fiction in general and Plaasmoord specifically, as well as the rationale that there is growing academic interest in the genre. Furthermore, the problem statement and research questions related to space are set out, as well as the study’s limitations and the format of the mini dissertation. The second chapter is divided into three subdivisions, of which the first contains the terminology and history of the crime fiction genre. The second subsection focuses on the theoretical framework, divided into narratological space, which relates to characterisation, suspense, the plot, and the use of space as a narratological element in crime fiction as a genre. The literature review is divided into seven subsections, which include existing studies about South African detective fiction and the use of space in international and South African detective fiction. The literature review concludes with an overview of the farm as space in Afrikaans detective fiction. Chapter three consists of the analysis of Karin Brynard’s Plaasmoord. This chapter attempts to gain insight into the research questions, including how space is used in the detective novel to promote characterisation, suspense, the plot, and themes. In the fourth and final chapter, I relay my discovery regarding this analysis, which relates to space as a single narratological element.
