Simboliek en mitologie as interpretasiehulpmiddels in die migranteliteratuurroman, Paravion, deur Hafid Bouazza

The contribution of symbolic and mythological references towards the interpretation process and eventual evaluation of a novel is researched according to primarily semiotic premises. The retrieval, interpretation and evaluation of these references were central not only to the study, but also with regard to the way in which these integrate with other elements of a novel. Narrative categories, in particular narratology and space, were addressed. A Dutch novel, namely Paravion by Hafid Bouazza, was chosen as text because not only did it extensively make use of symbolism and mythology to create a social reality wherein two opposing frames of reference occur, but also because the text is regarded as one of the culminating points in the so-called migrant literature, which is currently experiencing a tremendous revival in the Netherlands. In the formulation of a new identity construct, both by migrants and natives of the host country, religious customs, traditions and myths of Islam, as well as aspects of the Western culture, value systems and way of life were investigated. The former is represented in the novel by the Qu’ran and One thousand and one nights and the latter by the idylls of Theocritus. By means of the study the conclusion was reached that the vision of the text cannot communicate in a satisfactory manner with the reader without additional information, which is provided by means of the symbolic and mythological references. The relevance of the study relates to the conclusion that the interpretation and evaluation of migrant literature, as a relatively new genre in the Dutch canon, should be approached in a different and more innovative way than the traditional. Social, realistic points of departure can play an important role to achieve this.