Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
The following aspects are covered in this study:
The historical development of Zulu drama. This development is
divided into the following periods: Pre-colonial, Missionary and
Post-Missionary; the period under discussion is the latter.
Structuralism and Semiotics are applied to one-act plays. The
Semiotic approach views drama as communication: every aspect of
the dramatic space is viewed as a sign conveying meaning.
Pfister's approach is also applied in this study. Research
undertaken in African languages in South Africa on drama thus far
is also examined so as to direct the present study toward a
particular need. This is done in Chapter 1.
In. Chapter 2 plot development and various types of plot in oneact
plays are studied to ascertain which plot type is preferred
by authors of one-act plays. Character is also studied in this
chapter.
In Chapter 3 theme is studied to determined whether it is open
or closed.
Dialogue is discussed in Chapter 4.
Didascalies as a sign system and their significance and function
are studied in Chapter 5.
The final chapter, Chapter 6, is the evaluation of one-act plays
in Zulu.