Coconut, by Kopano Matlwa
Marcel Hamman 2009096286
ENG314 01 March 2013
Hair, skin, eyes, the nose, or whatever else parts of the body are all used to portray a site of struggle in the novel “Coconut” by Kopano Matlwa. It is clear that identity is used in coherence with appearance. As detailed in the novel we as mere humans judge each other on the surface based merely on skin colour or even the accents we use when speaking. This causes the need for a change of appearance by the two main characters we encounter throughout this novel, namely Ofilwe and Fikile. Both characters, especially Fikile, in some way try to deny their heritage and focus on using the English language or changing their appearance in order to acquire a greater sense of superiority. During this essay I will be focussing on the need for a change of appearance associated with the pursuit of a more superior and successful self.
According to the article “Identity and the Body”, by Susie O’Brien and ImreSzeman, we can identify two points of view concerning identity. From an essentialist theoretical perspective identity can be seen as “a fundamental, unchanging core of meaning that precedes and transcends culture and politics” (O’Brien and Szeman, 2010: 184). The novel “Coconut” however is rather focussing on the social constructivist theory that attempts to “emphasize the cultural and political circumstances in which identities are produced” (O’Brien and Szeman, 2010: 184). This article continues to portray the “categories of gender, sexual orientation and race as markers of identity and social power” (O’Brien and Szeman, 2010: 185). However during the novel the human body is used to represent the same idea by describing how a change in appearance can be thought to acquire greater social power and superiority.
Hair comes through as a powerful image describing the struggle between suppression and superiority. On the first page of the novel Ofilwe is describing a little black girl’s braids by using adjectives such as
ENG314 01 March 2013
Hair, skin, eyes, the nose, or whatever else parts of the body are all used to portray a site of struggle in the novel “Coconut” by Kopano Matlwa. It is clear that identity is used in coherence with appearance. As detailed in the novel we as mere humans judge each other on the surface based merely on skin colour or even the accents we use when speaking. This causes the need for a change of appearance by the two main characters we encounter throughout this novel, namely Ofilwe and Fikile. Both characters, especially Fikile, in some way try to deny their heritage and focus on using the English language or changing their appearance in order to acquire a greater sense of superiority. During this essay I will be focussing on the need for a change of appearance associated with the pursuit of a more superior and successful self.
According to the article “Identity and the Body”, by Susie O’Brien and ImreSzeman, we can identify two points of view concerning identity. From an essentialist theoretical perspective identity can be seen as “a fundamental, unchanging core of meaning that precedes and transcends culture and politics” (O’Brien and Szeman, 2010: 184). The novel “Coconut” however is rather focussing on the social constructivist theory that attempts to “emphasize the cultural and political circumstances in which identities are produced” (O’Brien and Szeman, 2010: 184). This article continues to portray the “categories of gender, sexual orientation and race as markers of identity and social power” (O’Brien and Szeman, 2010: 185). However during the novel the human body is used to represent the same idea by describing how a change in appearance can be thought to acquire greater social power and superiority.
Hair comes through as a powerful image describing the struggle between suppression and superiority. On the first page of the novel Ofilwe is describing a little black girl’s braids by using adjectives such as
Bibliography: * O’Brien, S. & Szeman, I. 2010. Popular Culture: A User’s Guide. Toronto: Nelson. p. 183-217. * Matlwa, K. 2012. Coconut. Cape Town: Jacana.