Reis as ondergrawing van meesterverhale: die reise van Ratkas en Isobelle

Abstract

Travel as the undermining of master narratives: The journeys of Ratkas and Isobelle Travelling usually leads to changed perspectives. The traveller becomes aware that his/her own perspective on reality is not the only valid perspective. In this article two Afrikaans novels in which travel is of central importance are examined to determine the manner in which these travels serve to undermine master narratives. Travels do not necessarily lead to a proliferation of perspectives and a postmodernist distrust of master narratives. In Die ryk van die rawe the traveller does not succeed in gaining a new perspective at all, while in Die reise van Isobelle, one master narrative is replaced by another - corresponding with Caren Kaplen's idea that master narratives are needed in order to change society.