Abstract
M.A. (Afrikaans)
In this study the place of the death poem as genre and
particularly its incidence in Afrikaans is traced. Because
the corpus of poems about death is so comprehensive, a
distinction is made between two significant categories:
death poetry in general and death poetry with specific
regard to the death of a beloved, especially with reference
to a close relative. For the purpose of this study the
latter is dealt with.
It is established that the death poem referring to the
death of a close relative has in almost every known
literature been responsible not only for some of the most
touching poems, but also for some of the best. In certain
Iiteratures particular conventions in connection with
. the death poem have crystallized. In others the theme
of death has found unrestrained expression.
A comparative study and an assessment of value are the
two most important methods that were used in this study
to ascertain the place of the death poem in literature.
The death poem can be classified under several categories,
each of which has contributed to a greater or lesser degree
to the genre of the death poem. The category of the beloved
deceased, especially the beloved close relative is
emphasized in this particular study. Most poets have
contributed to the corpus of the death poem, but Totius,
Elisabeth Eybers, D.J. Opperman and T.T. Cloete, each
representing one of the great literary eras in Afrikaans,
have contributed the best death poems. It appears from
the comparative study that there has been a qualitative
improvement in this genre.