The
Discardment
Alan Paton
, About the poet
Allan Paton was born in Pietermaritzburg (South Afric
He started his career as a teacher but soon took a stro
in race relations, joining the South African Institute of
Relations in 1930.
In 1935 Paton left teaching to become principal of Die
Reformatory for urban Black boys. There he introduce
humane reforms.
He first achieved fame for his novel, Cry the Beloved C
which was published in 1948. The story exposed race
South Africa of that era.
Merely a few months after the publication of the nove
National Party came into power in South Africa and th
social engineering called Apartheid was born.
Paton then became more involved in politics, becomin
President of the Liberal Party.
In 1964, he gave evidence in mitigation of sentence at
Mandela's treason trial.
Paton died in April 1988 at the age of 85.
, • Africa has 55 countries and African Poetry is a wide grouping of
in Africa.
• Even though the categories are vastly different, all the poems ar
rooted in Africa in some way.
• Academics still debate over precise definitions of African poetry
group the poets and poems.
Introductio Oral traditions:
n to African • Genre: South Poetry in Africa, before the arrival of settlers from
was mostly passed from one generation to the next orally.
Poetry: • These poems often praised someone in power or specific events
• Because poetry was transferred orally, very little was written dow
much meaning has been lost over the years, especially through t
Colonial African Poetry:
• This era includes those poets born in Africa from the middle of t
the early 1900s.
• During this time, African colonies were colonised by Europe.
• Even though South Africa technically became independent in 1 9
only truly freed from Colonial rule in 1934.
, Effects of Colonialism:
• When the Portuguese first arrived in Africa in the 1480s, they established settlem
coasts where they focused on trading and diplomacy.
• However, in the 1880s, European nations began aggressive invasion of the contin
claimed large pieces of land along with the natural resources it contained.
• This time period between 1881 and 1914 devastated the continent and its peop
• This impact was felt in various ways including culturally, economically, politically
• European settlers did not care about the destruction of indigenous people and t
broke down villages, kingdoms and communities, wreaking havoc and slaughteri
resisted.
Historical The LASTING EFFECTS of Colonialism:
content • Between 1914 and 1 975, many African nations fought for their freedom, but th
of Colonialism can still be felt.
• European settlers plundered the natural resources of Africa, enslaved its people
"Western" cultures and education on locals.
• Because of this, the indigenous people are still trying to regain their sense of ind
cultural heritage, while trying to heal psychologically, socially and politically.
Colonial Literature:
• Africans began to write literature in European languages in the aftermath of Col
express themselves and their experiences.
• At the same time, European settlers (like Schreiner) started to pen down their ow
, The first African Newspaper:
• Jabavu launched Imvo Zabantsundu (African Opinion) during the aftermath of
• Uncensored news, and poetry and fiction was published in this newspaper in
English, and this provided a much-needed outlet for many African writers.
The origin of Apartheid:
• The ideas of apartheid began when SA was a colony under the British rule wit
• Pass Laws while ridding SA of their riches in gold and diamonds during colonia
Historical • When SA gained independence, the ideas of the Pass Laws were kept which w
control and restrict Black people's movement in certain areas.
content • Apartheid was the policy of government between 1948 and 1994.
• SA became a democratic country in 1994 when its first black president, Presid
• Nelson Mandela, won the elections as he stood for the African National Congr
Pass laws:
• During colonialism, Black people had to carry their passes and they were not a
certain areas after sunset.
• This curfew was so rigid that it seemed to become more important than those
• Black people were objectified and dehumanised under these laws and it conti
apartheid laws.
, The National Party:
• The National Party came to power in 1948 and with
Apartheid became a formal governmental system.
• This separation was used to validate racism and ma
people opposed the system and wrote extensively a
these injustices.
• The National Party embraced apartheid laws and
Historical dehumanised Black people of the country, including
various human rights, including the right to vote.
content • This caused much opposition such as , for example,
Party for which Alan
• Paton served as a Vice President.
The Liberal Party:
• The party focused their attention on educating whit
they could see and understand the injustices of the
laws.
, The Shift:
• Between the 1940s and 1960s, there was a clear shift between passive to active re
regarding apartheid.
• Many armed struggles followed, including the Sharpeville Massacre where 69 peo
• Activism became more prominent in literature during this time and other white w
vehemently opposed apartheid emerged during this time.
• In the 1970s the Black Consciousness Movement started in South Africa which pro
pride.
• This is believed to have led to the 1976 Soweto uprising on June 16. The BCM ma
contribute to the way in which Black people felt about themselves - no longer feel
Historical inadequacy and shame - but rather embracing their Blackness.
• This inspired many Black and Coloured writers like Wally Serote.
content • Political parties such as the ANC and PAC were banned after the Sharpeville massa
the 1970s and 1980s, trade unions formed to further the cause of Black South Afri
• This was the precursor to the eventual changes between 1989 and 1994.
Bantu education system:
• Not only were Black people segregated, but they were also disadvantaged in vario
including having to abide by BANTU education systems at the time which aimed at
White people and disadvantaging Black students.
• These students were forced to take 50% of their school subjects through the medi
and education offered to them was sub-par, aiming to give them only enough edu
general workers while keeping them from being able to obtain tertiary education.
, The
Discardment
Alan Paton
, The Title
The Discardment
“discardment" is a The speaker chooses
An item of
made-up word. this title and mentions
clothing
Originated from it in the first line to
that is
discarded, meaning show how something
thrown
thrown away as it is seemingly trivial to
away,
no longer desirable. one can be so
unwanted.
important to another.
, The poem
