This study examines the representation of "white" poverty in Afrikaans youth literature between 1990 and 2009 by focussing on the following novels: Droomwa (1990) by Barrie Hough, Die optog van die aftjoppers (1994) by George Weideman, Vaselinetjie (2004) by Anoeschka von Meck, Roepman (2004) by Jan van Tonder, Lien se lankstaanskoene (2008) by Derick van der Walt and Lammervanger (2009) by Frans van Rensburg. The novels are analysed by employing critical whiteness studies as an overarching theoretical framework. Indicators of the "white" characters' poverty are identified with regard to description, dialogue, actions, place and narration with the aim of determining how and why these representations are evident in the novels. In these novels, poverty partly functions as a feature of the the so-called problem book and coming of age novel. Apartheid is the backdrop for some of the novels; here, "white" poverty is portrayed in a nostalgic manner. The most prominent indicator of the characters' poverty is the place where they reside. Other indicators are their appearance, possessions, dialogue and actions. The characters' poverty is not stated explicitly by the narrator in any of the novels. The "whiteness" of characters is represented as self-evident. Apart from this matter-of-factness, there is other evidence of "white" privilege in the way that "white" poverty is represented. The relative poverty of the "white" characters becomes apparent through the opportunities still available to them. These opportunities enable most of the characters to experience relief from or rid themselves of their poverty. The implications of "whiteness" are evident on various levels in the novels and also imbue some "white" characters with the illusion that they should act as the rescuers of "black" characters.
Die representasie van "wit" armoede in Afrikaanse jeugliteratuur tussen 1990 en 2009 word in hierdie studie ondersoek. Die romans wat bestudeer word, is Droomwa (1990) deur Barrie Hough, Die optog van die aftjoppers (1994) deur George Weideman, Vaselinetjie (2004) deur Anoeschka von Meck, Roepman (2004) deur Jan van Tonder, Lien se lankstaanskoene (2008) deur Derick van der Walt en Lammervanger (2009) deur Frans van Rensburg. Kritiese witheidstudies is die oorkoepelende teoretiese raamwerk waarbinne die romans ontleed word. Die merkers van die "wit" karakters se armoede word ten opsigte van beskrywing, dialoog, optrede, ruimte en vertelling geïdentifiseer met die doel om vas te stel hoe en hoekom "wit" armoede in die tekste gerepresenteer word.
Die prominentste merker van die karakters se armoede is die ruimte waarin hulle bly. Ander merkers is voorkoms, besittings, dialoog en optrede. In geen van die romans word die karakters se armoede eksplisiet deur die vertelinstansie aangedui nie. Die karakters se "witheid" word grotendeels in die ses romans as vanselfsprekend aangebied. Tesame met hierdie vanselfsprekendheid is daar besliste elemente van "wit" bevoorregting in die uitbeelding van "wit" armoede in die tekste teenwoordig. Die relatiwiteit van die "wit" karakters se armoede word duidelik deur die geleenthede waartoe hulle ten spyte van hul armoede toegang het; hierdie geleenthede stel meeste van die karakters in staat om hul armoede te verlig of daarvan verlos te word aan die einde van die romans. Die implikasies van "witheid" is op verskillende vlakke in die romans waarneembaar en verleen ook aan die karakters die illusie dat hulle, in meeste van die romans, tot die "swart" karakters se redding moet kom.
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