Theses and Dissertations (Modern European Languages)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/32441

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Richard Wagner und die Erlösungsfrage in seinen Opern
(University of Pretoria, 1965-05) Mostert, L.C.; Laue, J.A.E.; Anders, Christopher Godfrey Theodore
Das soziale Schicksal in den Novellen Theodor Storms
(University of Pretoria, 1957-09) Leue, J.A.E.; Anders, Christopher Godfrey Theodore
Negotiating belonging and language attitudes of Francophone Cameroonian migrants in Pretoria : a case study
(University of Pretoria, 2019-10) Muhr, Stephan; awounggal@gmail.com; Atabongwoung, Gallous Asong
Francophone Cameroonian migrants in Pretoria face socioeconomic challenges such as language barrier and difficulties in mingling with locals. Migrants are not easily accepted by locals and often face harassment. This is accentuated by negative perceptions that see migrants as economic threat to locals. South African labour laws make it difficult for migrants to find employment, yet, migrants must live in cities where cost of living is high to avoid townships where cost of living is low for fear of harassment by locals. This complexed nature of their relationship with host society stretches migrant to belong “here and there”–transmigration.” Francophone Cameroonian migrants belong to Pretoria and Cameroon, but their language attitudes in Pretoria may be different from their attitudes back home because of the precarious nature of transmigration. This study therefore seeks to answer the following questions; How does transmigration influence language attitudes and belonging? What is the role of indigenous languages when negotiating belonging in Pretoria? Has the emotional linguistic attachment of Francophone Cameroonians in Pretoria changed vis-à-vis French language? And if so, how and why?
Literatur als Kulturökologie. Ästhetische und diskursive Formen der Umweltnarrative in ausgewählten Texten der zeitgenössischen deutschsprachigen Literatur
(University of Pretoria, 2024-02-19) Muhr, Stephan; tezokengklaus1@gmail.com; Tezokeng Tchiha, Klaus
Environmental degradation has undeniably become a salient social concern and has attracted a considerable amount of critical attention in recent years. (Buell 2005:3) The anthropocentric view of environmental disaster places human beings at the forefront of the crisis and posits that mankind is effectively committing ecocide, making the planet inhospitable to life of any kind. (Desjardins 2013:6) In this context, literature plays a pivotal role in the sense that it critically raises the question of anthropogenic environmental deterioration and its attendant consequences with unusual poignancy, while exemplifying alternative conceptions of the human-nature relationship. As a result, literature brilliantly contributes to understanding the complexity of the environmental crisis, thus extending the scope of what can be explored from the perspective of natural and environmental sciences. This study scrutinizes multifaceted ways in which German literature addresses the environmental predicament. It covers a broad range of fictional texts: Der Schwarm (2004) by Frank Schätzing, Das Tahiti-Projekt (2007) by Dirk C. Fleck, Prophezeiung (2011) by Sven Böttcher, Maeva! (2011) by Dirk C. Fleck, Somniavero (2012) by Anja Stürzer, GO! Die Ökodiktatur (1993/2014) by Dirk C. Fleck, G.r.a.s. (2018) by Achim Koch and Der brennende See (2020) by John von Düffel. Some of these works of fiction have mainly been analyzed with regards to how they fit into specific ecological genres such as ecothriller, climate change fiction and ecologically oriented children and youth literature. This study instead pays special attention to their aesthetics and investigates how they produce narratives and counter-narratives with respect to environmental degradation, and furthermore argues in favor of exploring literature on environment from a generational vantage point. In so doing, the work aspires to contribute to the rapidly growing field of ecocriticism. Chapter one describes the context of this study and predominantly touches on the problem statement, research questions and objectives. It also briefly highlights the theoretical framework and methodological approach. Chapter two provides an extended literature review and engages with the evolution of ecocriticism in a German context. Chapter three focuses on depictions of natural catastrophes in Der Schwarm, G.r.a.s. and Prophezeiung and argues that theses texts are characterized by deterministic plots. Chapter four investigates Das Tahiti-Project, Maeva! and GO! Die Ökodiktatur as counter-discourse to this determinism and argues that the future can still be controlled and made better. Chapter five revolves around Somniavero and Der brennende See and explores environmental destruction and sustainability in both works of fiction as generationally laden phenomena.
La traduction dans l'enseignement/apprentissage du français langue étrangère en Afrique du Sud
(University of Pretoria, 2023-01-31) Tirvassen, Rada; lohyaijc@gmail.com; Loh Yai, Jean Claude
This PhD thesis titled La Traduction dans l’enseignement/apprentissage du Français Langue Étrangère en Afrique du Sud (Translation in the Teaching/Learning of French as a Foreign Language in South Africa) examines the role that translation as a didactic tool can play in teaching French as a foreign language in South Africa as well as the problems it can pose for teachers and learners. The interpretation of data collected in five secondary schools allows the researcher to conclude that translation can be a useful tool to teach foreign languages in foreign language classrooms if teachers are adequately trained and equipped with a renewed conception of translation based on theoretical advances in the field of translation studies.
Schreiben als Fremde(r) : eine vergleichende Studie zur Fremdheit in ausgewählten Gedichten von Charles Bukowski und Nelly Sachs
(University of Pretoria, 2022) Muhr, Stephan; coenet.t@gmail.com; Treurnicht, Coenet
The radicality of the “Fremderfahrung” can be described as an existential process of having to relearn the way in which one thinks, speaks, and writes. The poems of Charles Bukowski and Nelly Sachs showcase how their different styles of writing found a way to describe trauma as well as experiences with radical, structural and every day strangeness. The aim of this project is to investigate how strangeness can be identified, analysed, and discussed in the selected poetry of the exile writer Nelly Sachs and the writer of non-belonging Charles Bukowski. Much of Charles Bukowski’s work, especially his novels, has been studied under the themes of alcohol abuse, madness, abuse and poverty to name a few. However, there exists little research regarding his poetry and its relation to exile and strangeness. Similarly, Nelly Sachs’s work has been greatly connected to the literature of the Second World War, however through this project I hope to demonstrate how the works of both authors can be analysed through selected theories of strangeness, therefore also showing how strangeness or Fremdheit can be identified in literary texts. This thesis provides evidence that the direct writing style of Charles Bukowski can most often be linked to the categories of everyday and structural strangeness. While also displaying the element of radical strangeness found in the metaphoric style of Nelly Sachs. I argue that the utilization of radical strangeness is linked to the strenuous nature of describing traumata, that in order to word traumatic events Nelly Sachs makes use of her unique metaphoric style of writing, whereas Charles Bukowski directly attacks the everyday and structural strangeness through the selected poetry as analysed throughout this project.
Kritisches denken fördern : erstellung und evaluierung eines unterrichtsmodells im landeskundlichen DaF-Unterricht an der University of Zimbabwe
(University of Pretoria, 2022) Muhr, Stephan; cleopatrachapwanya@ymail.com; Chapwanya, Cleopatra Kundai
The goal of the study was to formulate and evaluate a teaching model, which marries the covering of content and the fostering of critical thinking skills in the German Landeskunde class at the University of Zimbabwe. A study carried out in 2016 revealed that students learning German as a foreign language at the University of Zimbabwe require training in critical thinking performance and suggested that the Landeskunde lessons be oriented in a way that challenges students to think critically about the class content. In addition, very few studies have focused on developing models that stipulate practical steps on how critical thinking skills can be taught alongside course content and none have looked at developing such a model for the German Landeskunde class in particular. The study, therefore, set out to address the above mentioned problems. The teaching model was formulated on the basis of available literature on critical thinking and a study carried out at the beginning of the research in October 2019, which determined the critical thinking performance of students studying German Landeskunde at the aforementioned institution at the time of the study. Methods used for data collection were essays and presentations. The data was analysed using the holistic critical thinking scoring rubric. After its formulation the model was then implemented in the Landeskunde class for the period of a semester, from March to June 2020. A post-test was then carried out, to investigate the critical thinking performance of the students after intervention. Results of the study carried out prior the intervention and those of the post-intervention phase were compared to determine the effectiveness of the model. The study revealed that the teaching model had great potential in improving the critical thinking performance of students studying German landeskunde at the University of Zimbabwe.
"Die Funktion Der Polaritätsfiguren In Demian, Der Steppenwolf Und Narziss Und Goldmund Von Hermann Hesse"
(University of Pretoria, 2013) Muhr, Stephan; helencrafford@gmail.com; Crafford, Helen Christine
No abstract
Analyse de la condition féminine dans l’enfant de sable et la nuit sacrée de Tahar ben Jelloun
(University of Pretoria, 2020) De Beer, Anna-Marie; boohjean@live.com; Mbooh, Jeanne Odette
This research deals with the condition of Moroccan women as represented in The Sand Child (1985) and The Sacred Night (1987). In The Sand Child, the storyteller narrates the life of a girl named Ahmed, whose father, humiliated not to have a male heir, decided to raise her as a boy due to issues of honour and inheritance. Ahmed goes through this difficult journey by confronting the insensitivity of his family and the prohibitions of society. In The Sacred Night, the continuation of The Sand Child, Ahmed becomes Zara, thus, reclaiming his/her identity. Combining the imaginary with reality, the two books offer a dark portrait of Arab society, revealing the misogyny, the injustices committed against those marginalised by society such as women, the poor and the disadvantaged. These two texts represent Tahar Ben Jelloun’s literary attack on the patriarchal nature of Moroccan society. This study aims to identify and analyse the strategies of struggle and resistance against this status quo as portrayed in these two novels.
Impacto de los videos subtitulados en la comprensión auditiva del español como lengua extranjera : análisis crítico de algunos estudios existentes
(University of Pretoria, 2019) Lancho Perea, Luis Andrés; u13010868@tuks.co.za; Van Dyk, Monica Christine
No abstract
The role of imagination in Assia Djebar's L'Amour la fantasia and Andrè Brink's Philida
(University of Pretoria, 2017) De Beer, Anna-Marie; Snyman, Elisabeth; vanniekerkcrn@gmail.com; Steenekamp, Carina
No abstract
Le rôle de la femme disparue dans deux oeuvres de Patrick Modiano : Voyage de noces et Dora Bruder
(University of Pretoria, 2017) De Beer, Anna-Marie; cplombard@gmail.com; Lombard, Christo
The aim of this project is to investigate the importance accorded to the personage of the missing woman in two texts by Patrick Modiano: Voyage de noces (1990) and Dora Bruder (1997). Where necessary, allusions to other works will be included in order to showcase contrasting or complimentary depictions of the feminine. As has often been noted by readers and academics, Modiano’s publications contain a strong element of auto-fiction or autobiography. Above all else, it is the memory of his father, Albert Modiano that is invariably revisited. It is possible to argue that the entire body of work, spanning more than four decades is an attempt by Patrick, the son, to come to terms with the influence his father had on his life and the subsequent burden that has been imposed upon him. Curiously, the role and representation of Modiano’s female characters has been largely neglected in critical discourses. I therefore hope to prove that the various depictions of the female figure should not be overlooked in favour of the more obviously visible portrait of the father. Modiano’s heroines are largely inspired by the presence of his mother, or by women who frequented a similar social milieu. In each account, the tragic heroine exerts an implacable hold on the narrator’s existential welfare. However, though some heroines may qualify as “maternal archetypes” this is not always the case. Dora Bruder, especially, reveals the enduring presence of a fraternal theme. In spite of larger, seemingly more universal or transparent motifs that might present themselves, the emotional core of each narrative involves the narrator’s inability to process the inexplicable loss of the heroine. I will argue that the male narrator’s predicament is determined almost entirely by the memory he preserves of the missing woman. This same loss is closely connected to the narrator’s adolescence and to what one might call the end of innocence or youth. Perhaps even more than the protagonist himself, it is the latent presence of a maternal or fraternal “substitute” that must claim responsibility for the haunted quality of Modiano’s literary voice. This project will propose a comprehensive exploration of the different representations of female characters, proving that the importance accorded to the feminine should not be neglected, but rather welcomed as one of the most important aspects of the Nobel laureate’s canon.
Radicalisation of European Citizens and ISIS Terrorism
(University of Pretoria, 2017) Kotsopoulos, John; ajisafedickson@yahoo.com; Ajisafe, Dickson O.A.
The growing numbers of terror attacks in Europe in recent times has made the concept of radicalization a sensitive phenomenon, most especially, Islamic radicalization. The activities of Islamic extremists and terrorists have been identified with a good number of European citizens, who have joined the Islamic State (IS) and engaged in acts of terror against their own citizens and governments. Radicalisation has been used as a weapon by the Islamic State to recruit some European citizens as its members in order to perpetuate its objectives in Europe. The objective of this project is to examine how the Islamic State has been able to radicalize some European citizens as its members and build its network across the continent. It seeks to critically analyse the influence of the Islamic State ideology on European citizens, which has consequently led and could further lead to the participation of some European citizens in terrorist engagements. This work seeks to respond to the puzzle: how is it possible for the Islamic State to secure the interest of some Europeans into terrorism, considering the distance between Europe and the Middle East and the high standard of living as well as education that is available in Europe? In this mini-dissertation, the relevance of the study is pointed out in today Europe as far as peace and security development of the continent is concerned. This research makes use of secondary sources of data collection to investigate the study and its theoretical analyses is drawn from social network and contagion theories in order to shed more light on the discourse of the radicalisation of European citizens as Islamic State members. Specifically, this mini-dissertation discusses a brief origin and objectives of the Islamic State, the ideological perspectives of the group, reasons behind the radicalization of Europeans citizens as well as channels of radicalizing European citizens.
Spanish as a foreign language at university level : the role and use of language learning strategies by absolute beginners
(University of Pretoria, 2017) Tirvassen, Rada; luis.lanchoperea@up.ac.za; Lancho Perea, Luis Andres
This research is logged in the field of language acquisition, focusing on Spanish as a foreign language learnt at university level. It investigates how learning strategies are used by students to develop proficiency in Spanish over a three-year period (from the first year to the third year). Adopting a cognitive lens that places special attention to how linguistic knowledge is constructed, deconstructed and reconstructed, this study focuses on the language learning process, specifically on what the students do to learn a language. Taking into account that the learning of foreign language poses particular and distinctive challenges – as opposed to the learning of a second language – and using a multiphase design that combines sequential strands encompassing quantitative and qualitative techniques, this study finds that those who successfully complete all the Spanish courses are the ones who report significantly more use of metacognitive strategies in the first year. The study concludes by proposing a framework that helps to classify the role that the use of strategies play in learning a foreign language from a student’s perspective. This framework adds a new dimension and provides valuable information to similar types of studies. Considering the above-mentioned findings, the study recommends introducing first-year students to the potential value of using metacognitive strategies in foreign language learning, and suggests that lecturers should recommend more activities for students to engage in the language outside the classroom.
The hegemony of English in Primary school education : South Africa's language identity struggle
(University of Pretoria, 2017) Adeyemo, K.S. (Kolawole Samuel); ocoffi@yahoo.fr; Coffi, Lilly Romance Laure
Contemporary society has seen the English language rise to great heights. It has become the most important language in trade, industry and education. In South Africa, speakers of Indigenous African Languages (IALs) consider English to be indispensable for economic emancipation, despite only a small percentage of the population being fully versed in the language. Moreover, the status of English as a global language and its reputation as the language of opportunity has been reported by researchers as being an enticing incentive for parents to opt for English for their children. However, the hegemony of English has been reported to have adverse effects on IALs and, importantly, on learners in term of their use of the language in the education sector. Despite the many years of enquiry and the numerous policies drafted, mother-tongue education remains an ideal that has not been achieved and English continues to dominate. Therefore, it is important to investigate the current state of affairs and to identify the definite the whys and wherefores of the English hegemony. This minidissertation shows that South Africa?s language history impacts greatly on parents? choices of language of learning and teaching (LoLT); it makes various recommendations for creating a sound and successful education system.
The meaning and implications of Ruth 4:5 : a grammatical socio-cultural and juridical investigation
(University of Pretoria, 2015) Botha, Philippus Jacobus; Potgieter, J.H. (Johan Hendrik), 1952-; mildas@mweb.co.za; Stanton, Milda
Uncertainty about the meaning of the problematic word compilation ???? in its specific context in Ruth 4:5 creates a lack of clarity on the events which take place in Ruth 4. Such lack of clarity is reflected in the diversity of ancient and modern translations of this verse. It is uncertain whether the Moabite immigrant Ruth is described as also selling the land or whether she is merely seen as part of the sale transaction. The traditional view, as formulated in the available translations, implies that a levirate marriage is involved in the narrative of this chapter. This interpretation, however, creates multiple juridical problems. The thesis proposes that the legal concept of usufruct can help to solve the uncertainty in the text and to correct the misunderstanding of the verse. The problem is approached through a syntactical and grammatical analysis and the solution that it was usufruct of property which was sold rather than land is justified in terms of the ideology reflected in the book of Ruth. The thesis contributes towards a better and juridical more workable translation of the pericope in Ruth 4 and, consequently, to the better understanding of the book of Ruth as a whole. It is suggested that Ruth 4:5 should be rendered with, The day you acquire the (right/usufruct in respect of) the field from the hand of Naomi and from (the hand of) Ruth, the Moabite woman, the wife of the deceased, you (also) acquire (her) in order to maintain the name of the deceased over his inheritance.
Practising de-assemblage : upcoming black artists on the South African scene 2008-2014
(University of Pretoria, 2015) Kriel, Lize; sikhosiyotula@yahoo.com; Siyotula, Yolokazi
Reading Bhantu Steven Biko s I write what I like (1978) for the first time as an undergraduate student was challenging. I write what I like, a selection of Biko s writings published between the years 1969 and 1973, contains, amongst others, the articles Black Souls in White Skins? (1970a), We Blacks (1970b), Fragmentation of the Black Resistance (1971a), The Definition of Black Consciousness (1971b) and Black Consciousness and the Quest for True Humanity (1973). Such articles express the core of Biko s call for black consciousness. Biko wrote on Blackness post-1960, in the period marked by the banning of black political parties and the imprisonment of their leaders on Robben Island. This was a time, according to Biko (1971a:63), when no one could speak for black opinion in South Africa. Biko saw the imprisoned political leaders as having managed to assemble the black population of South Africa as a unit. His call was a call to those discriminated against and oppressed by the apartheid system to maintain this assemblage (Biko 1970a, 1970b, 1971a, 1971b, 1973) and resist all attempts at fragmenting their resistance, namely: fighting separately for certain freedoms and gains (Biko 1971a:42). What was certain to me in my first reading of Biko, as it still is in a re-reading of his work, is that South Africa is a geographical space Biko and I share, but that the dynamics of the times at which we inhabit(ed) it seem different. Biko speaks to a world of unions: African Student Association (ASA); African Students Union of South Africa (ASUSA); African National congress (ANC); Pan African Congress (PAC); University Christian Movement (UCM); National Union of South African Students (NUSAS); University of Natal Black (UNB); South African Student Organisation (SASO) and University Bantu Council (UBO) . The impact of some of these unions have spanned decades; others have disintegrated. as a social phenomenon. · To determine caregivers views on contributing factors of malnutrition among children who are benefiting from the Child Support Grant. · To explore the challenges experienced by caregivers who receive the Child Support Grant. · To make recommendations for combating malnutrition among children under the age of five who are beneficiaries of the Child Support Grant. Ten caregivers whose children were diagnosed with malnutrition while benefiting from the Child Support Grant and were given treatment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic hospital in 2015, were purposively selected to form the sample of the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from the participants. The main conclusions drawn from the research findings were that caregivers experienced economic challenges mainly due to unemployment and lack of reliable sources of income. These identified challenges were the main contributing factors of malnutrition among children who are under the age of five benefiting from the Child Support Grant. The study was also concluded with some useful and relevant recommendations from the caregivers responses on how to mitigate malnutrition among children who are under the age of five benefiting from the Child Support Grant. One of the crucial recommendations drawn from the findings of this research study was that more information sessions to caregivers regarding malnutrition should be conducted regularly at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic hospital.
Locating the cultural significance of foreign diplomatic representation to the city : the cases of the US Dutch and Brasilian missions in the City of Tshwane
(University of Pretoria, 2015) Muhr, Stephan; Mabin, A.S.; c_ramadahya@hotmail.com; Rama Dahya, Chané Joyce
Foreign diplomatic representation is a feature of national and other capital cities as centres of political and other forms power, the significance of which in cultural terms has previously been granted minor attention. Using the cases of the U.S., Dutch and Brazilian missions in the City of Tshwane (Pretoria), it is evident their meaning takes two forms: firstly, in the built environment and secondly, in cultural and public diplomacy activities that engage cityzens in new ways of thinking and being. The form of primary diplomatic sites, chanceries, embodies the national community around which their representation is constructed. Armed with a legitimate claim on the space they occupy they are a part of the city imaginary in their various shapes, sizes and styles where they communicate intent through their architecture, symbolism and activities. The identity, structure and intended meaning of chanceries would however be an incomplete project were it not for cityzenry s casual observers and active participants, as well as diplomatic and other chancery staff, who are instrumental in constituting the site and its purpose. Exploring beyond the chancery, places in the city also become diplomatic sites when utilized by missions for their cultural and public diplomacy. These activities again reify the nation state promising a platform for the affirmation of community in a city of loosely associated cityzens. Additionally, in the present context of multiplied choices for personal identity formation, missions attract audiences through language schools, art exhibitions, theatre, music and film festivals, workshops, seminars and panel discussions. This facilitation of voluntary association is the post-political, post-economic significance of diplomatic representation in the City of Tshwane. Primary data is sourced from select interviews with diplomats and cityzens, as well as the web pages of ministries of foreign affairs and embassies. Secondary data is taken from urban studies and diplomatic studies literature.
Religious diversity in post-colonial multicultural Nigerian society
(University of Pretoria, 2015) Mlambo, Alois S.; ganyipamela@gmail.com; Ganyi, Pamela Ayum
Chapter one set out the aims of this study, and outlined the scope and methodology employed in achieving this. Chapter two dealt with the definition of some key terms employed in this study and also gave the historical background of pre-colonial and colonial Nigerian society. It highlighted the divisions that existed in the pre-colonial societies that make up what is today Nigeria, and pointed out that, apart from the major differences in culture, ranging from language to religion, these societies each had different political systems, the most organised at the time, being the Hausa/Fulani system, where the Sokoto Caliphate linked over 30 different independent Hausa kingdoms, creating the most powerful Islamic state in West Africa. As noted in this chapter, the caliphate provided the longest resistance to British colonial rule in Nigeria, and although it was annexed in 1903, some of its political systems adopted prior to British occupation, were retained by the colonial government. Unfortunately, the gradual transition of British influence in the region that is today Nigeria, from slave trade to legitimate trade and then to colonialism did not allow enough time for the local people to mount any formidable opposition to British annexation. In the beginning, the growing British influence was seen as a welcome relief from the oppressive period of the slave trade. The encouragement of legitimate trade and the coming of the missionaries led the local people to be more open to British occupation of the region, believing that this was for the greater good of the people. In addition, some traditional rulers who resisted British occupation were quickly subdued by the much more advanced military might of the British forces. Nevertheless, throughout the period of British colonial rule in Nigeria, cultural differences, while extant, did not necessarily lead to conflicts as the political and economic systems were managed by the British administrators. In addition, by the mid-20th century, the wave of nationalism movements provided a distraction from the focus on cultural affinities. Nigerians saw the British colonial government as a common enemy and they, therefore, overlooked their cultural differences and regional affinities and, together, emphasised a common national identity and a collective goal of attaining independence from Britain. When Nigeria became independent in 1960, the expectations for the country s future were positive. The population density provided a labour force and a consumer market which showed great potential for economic growth. This, coupled with the fact that commercial quantities of petroleum had been discovered in the Niger Delta region in 1958, led many people to believe that Nigeria was destined for a leading position, not just in Africa, but also in world affairs. Unfortunately, this was not to be, as independence from Britain did not bring with it the perfect society which Nigerians had envisaged. According to Falola and Heaton (2008: 158), by 1970, Nigeria s stability and prestige had been greatly damaged by a decade of political corruption, economic underdevelopment and military coups. Most damaging, however, was the culmination of these problems in a civil war from 1967 to 1970 that rent the country along regional and ethnic lines, killed between 1 and 3 million people, and nearly destroyed the fragile federal bonds that held together the Nigerian state.
Die Immunitätsmetapher als kohäsionsstiftendes Element in Hugo Loetschers Der Immune
(University of Pretoria, 2015) Muhr, Stephan; waldo.grove@yebo.co.za; Grové, Waldo
This study investigates the internal textual structure (cohesion) of Hugo Loetscher’s novel, Der Immune (1975/1985). The secondary literature (in particular Nigg (1992: 12), So nicka (2009: 109) and various reviews) makes it clear that what makes the text form a whole is a matter of dispute. It may be assumed that this is partly due to the work’s non-linear, stylistically heterogeneous composition. The matter of the text’s cohesion thus becomes crucial to the understanding of the novel. Rastier (1987: 205) defines cohesion as the “unité d’une séquence, définie par ses relations sémantiques internes”. Rosmarie Zeller (1989: 1041) claims that it is the immunity metaphor which makes the work form a whole in this sense. Zeller’s claim has to be reformulated due to lack of evidence. In this study, it is replaced by the hypothesis that the immunity metaphor itself is the product of interaction between various other ‘metaphors’ or semantic fields. For although immunity is seldom addressed explicitly in the text, when this does occur, it is often contextualised by means of other (literal and figurative) themes, which occur more frequently in the text. This makes the term ‘metaphor’, with its traditional meaning of ‘figurative speaking’, problematic. For this reason, ‘metaphor’ is discarded in favour of a group of semantic isotopies (based on Rastier 1987), which combine to form a multidimensional network. The study is structured as follows: 1. An introduction and short methodological statement is followed by a literature review, in which the controversy surrounding the novel’s cohesion is discussed. 2. A cursory narratological discussion of the novel’s formal characteristics serves to introduce the main part of the study. The narratological form the text takes is only of interest to the extent that it contributes to the problem of the text’s cohesion. As such, this part of the study focusses on demonstrating the work’s polyphony and its subsequent difficulty for reception as a cohesive text. 3. In the main part of the study, the themes ‘Theatre’, ‘Intellect’, ‘Society’ and ‘Language’ are analysed by means of the isotopy concept, as it is established that these often co-occur with ‘Immunity’. Each of these themes is investigated in terms of its interaction with the others, in order to contribute to the creation of ‘Immunity’ as the text’s implicit main theme. 4. In conclusion, the results from the main part of the study are discussed and it is considered to what extent ‘Immunity’ as a theme is capable of shaping the novel Der Immune into a cohesive whole.

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