An Interpretation Of André Brink’s Political Views From A Dry White Season

The famous South African writer, André Brink is highly well-acknowledged by the academic world for his unique writing style and rich connotation. Set in the 1970 s, his realistic novel A Dry White Season tells a story about a white teacher named Ben, who is involved in the case of a black man—Gordon gradually. He wants to find out the truth. However, he dies in a car accident in the pivotal moment. Based on cultural criticism and a close text reading, this thesis aims to interrogate Brink’s view on South African political system and apartheid institution, exploring his stance on South African racial problems and female problems so as to manifest Brink’s political views comprehensively.This thesis is composed of five chapters. Chapter one primarily introduces Brink’s lifetime, literary achievements and the plots of the text, literature review from abroad and at home, general knowledge of cultural criticism, and the feasibility and significance of the thesis.The main body consists of three chapters. Chapter two analyzes South African white authority’s disciplines on common people, and discloses the essence of South African government, limiting people’s freedom, lacking justice and staying away from democracy. Chapter three makes an analysis of Brink’s sympathy for the black, condemnation to apartheid and the exploration of the black’s outlook to reveal his racial viewpoint. Chapter four mainly conducts a detailed illustration of varieties of women, for instance, Melanie, Susan and Emily. It attempts to demonstrate Brink’s sympathy for weak women, and to praise courageous women who insist on justice and truth, and to support the harmonious relationship between men and women.Chapter five is the conclusion of this thesis. By interpreting Brink’s perspective on South African political system, racial views and female views, we can obviously see that Brink is a white writer, but he criticizes South African political system firmly, expressing opposition to the unequal status between the white and the black, supporting females’ freedom. Brink conceives a new South Africa without distinction in race and skin color.