1

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

2

“Such a little king’s eye”, said my mother who still had the kind imperial look.“He’ll command. Dear cherry-bright boy!”Her faded English blood ran strong,she dreamt of the shires all night long,rose in the morning and called me, Roy.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

3

That was the beginning. My father who cameraw from the veld with a rocky name,though a mild man, frequently dreamtthat Circumstance galloped with him riding,that History was thatched into his roof.It hurt him to hear me christened, Roy Kloof.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

4

Up behind father with little bright spursI dreamt I was galloping, gravely horsed.I dreamt of a sceptre: I cried and criedTill rock and shire were divorced.Division incarnate! An unhappy role!My country has given me flint for a soul.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

5

“Such a little king’s eye”, said my mother who still had the kind imperial look.“He’ll command. Dear cherry-bright boy!”

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

Direct Speech – immediacy and individualityRepresentative of a type rather than individual

Praise – English colonial powerKing = monarchImperial aspirations for her son Not true kindness – false,

condescending kindness of one who believes she knows better and must instruct othersEnglish arrogance involved in Colonialism – disregard for the values and dignity of the original inhabitants of conquered land

Dream/assumption: because her son is English (has the “king’s eye” – believes that he is born to leadVery arrogant and authoritarian attitude Deliberately

archaic – scarlet colour usually associated with British presence

6

Her faded English blood ran strong,she dreamt of the shires all night long,rose in the morning and called me, Roy.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

Lost it’s brightness, colour and vigour

The counties into which England is divided – ties with her homeland are still strong

PARADOX – she no longer has the energy and youthful vitality but her patriotism and loyalty to England remains powerful

“Roy” = “Roi” French for “king”Part of her fantasy

Mother = symbol of imperialism and colonialism – represents English empire builders – believed the were bringing civilization and enlightenment to “darkest Africa” – impose European culture and values on indigenous population

7

That was the beginning. My father who cameraw from the veld with a rocky name,

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

Introduces his father

Powerful and rawTakes his strength from the landBecomes a symbol of the countryHardship and struggle to establish himself in SA

Refocuses our attention on the title: “Kloof” – ravine/narrow gorge

His inflexibility…

Gap/rift/”kloof” that exists between him and the English-speaking whites

8

though a mild man, frequently dreamtthat Circumstance galloped with him riding,that History was thatched into his roof.It hurt him to hear me christened, Roy Kloof.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

His rigidity is combined with a gentleness - he is split: innate gentleness with and inherited severe harshness and tough bitterness inherited from his ancestors Calvinistic belief that

their actions create the destiny/history of the Afrikaner nation

PERSONIFICATION

His personal achievements create historyAfrikaners associated themselves with the Israelites – SA: promised land

Because of its incongruity

9

Up behind father with little bright spursI dreamt I was galloping, gravely horsed.I dreamt of a sceptre:

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

Child’s dream links him with his father – close relationship with father but “behind”

Associated with kingship, hunting and power

Takes this dream very seriously – behaves “seriously” – wants dad to be proud of him

10

I cried and criedTill rock and shire were divorced.Division incarnate! An unhappy role!My country has given me flint for a soul.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGEGRADE 10 ENGLISH – SOUTH AFRICAN

POETRYMR OOSTHUYSEN

Cries because of the impossibility of achieving the dream

Repetition: misery & frustration

FATHER AND MOTHER

Division between English and Afrikaans people in SA

“unhappy role” – caught between his parents – needs to reconcile differences – no clear value system to support himFINAL IMAGE: soul = hard as rock – cannot reconcile conflicts – clash, spark will always remain – individual destroyed by his heritage