1. Introduction 2
2. Athol Fugard as a writer and the historical context 2
3. Tsotsi as a novel and Tsotsi as a film – a direct comparison 3
3.a. General differences 3
3.a.1. Narrators in novels and pictures in films 3
3.a.2. The atmosphere 4
3.a.3. The setting 4
3.a.4. The language 5
3.b. The differences in the plots of the two versions 5
3.b.1. Tsotsi’s gang and the murder of Gumboot Dhlamini (Chapter 1) 5
3.b.2. Tsotsi’s fight with Boston (Chapter 2) 6
3.b.3. Tsotsi’s encounter with the baby (Chapter 3) 7
3.b.4. Tsotsi hides the baby in the ruins (Chapter 4) 8
3.b.5. The funeral of Gumboot Dhlamini, Boston’s recovery and Tsotsi’s reunification with Butcher and Die Aap (Chapter 5) 9
3.b.6. Tsotsi’s encounter with Morris Tshabalala (Chapters 6 and 7) 9
3.b.7. Tsotsi finds a replacement mother in Miriam Ngidi (Chapter 8) 10
3.b.8. Tsotsi’s childhood (Chapter 9) 11
3.b.9. Tsotsi’s second encounter with Miriam Ngidi (Chapter 10) 12
3.b.10. The story of Boston’s life (Chapter 11) 13
3.b.11. Tsotsi’s death (Chapter 12) 15
4. Interpretations of the major differences 16
4.a. The replacement of the apartheid topic 16
4.b. The different atmospheres in the two works 17
4.c. The missing narrator and its effect on the plausibility and numerous details 18
4.d. Apparent commercial reasons for changes in the plot 18
5. Summary 19
6. Works cited 19
Unlike the novel’s plot, the plot of the film is not set in the 1950s to 60s but in the post-apartheid South Africa around the beginning of the new millennium. Not just because more than 40 years passed from the original idea until its publication as a film, the original novel and the film version are quite different in many aspects. Although both the novel and the film follow roughly the same structure, the differences offer many enlightening insights. This paper is going to compare the film version with the original version in the novel in order to analyze and interpret the differences. Some of the major differences revolve around the role of racism, apartheid, politics and social criticism in the two versions, and still others around the different impacts of the two works and the different reasons, purposes and circumstances under which the novel was written and why the film was made.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Athol Fugard as a writer and the historical context
- 3. Tsotsi as a novel and Tsotsi as a film - a direct comparison
- 3.a. General differences
- 3.a.1. Narrators in novels and pictures in films
- 3.a.2. The atmosphere
- 3.a.3. The setting
- 3.a.4. The language
- 3.b. The differences in the plots of the two versions
- 3.b.1. Tsotsi's gang and the murder of Gumboot Dhlamini (Chapter 1)
- 3.b.2. Tsotsi's fight with Boston (Chapter 2)
- 3.b.3. Tsotsi's encounter with the baby (Chapter 3)
- 3.b.4. Tsotsi hides the baby in the ruins (Chapter 4)
- 3.b.5. The funeral of Gumboot Dhlamini, Boston's recovery and Tsotsi's reunification with Butcher and Die Aap (Chapter 5)
- 3.b.6. Tsotsi's encounter with Morris Tshabalala (Chapters 6 and 7)
- 3.b.7. Tsotsi finds a replacement mother in Miriam Ngidi (Chapter 8)
- 3.b.8. Tsotsi's childhood (Chapter 9)
- 3.b.9. Tsotsi's second encounter with Miriam Ngidi (Chapter 10)
- 3.b.10. The story of Boston's life (Chapter 11)
- 3.b.11. Tsotsi's death (Chapter 12)
- 3.a. General differences
- 4. Interpretations of the major differences
- 4.a. The replacement of the apartheid topic
- 4.b. The different atmospheres in the two works
- 4.c. The missing narrator and its effect on the plausibility and numerous details
- 4.d. Apparent commercial reasons for changes in the plot
- 5. Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this paper is to compare and contrast the novel Tsotsi by Athol Fugard with its subsequent film adaptation, analyzing the significant differences between the two versions. The paper aims to interpret these differences, considering factors such as the historical context, narrative techniques, and potential commercial influences.
- The impact of changing the historical setting from apartheid-era South Africa to post-apartheid South Africa.
- A comparison of narrative techniques, specifically the role of the narrator in the novel versus its absence (or reduction) in the film.
- The differences in atmosphere and mood created by the novel's text versus the film's visual and auditory elements.
- The alterations made to the plot and their potential implications for the overall themes and messages.
- An exploration of the potential commercial reasons behind the changes made in the film adaptation.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Athol Fugard, the author of the novel Tsotsi, and provides background information on the novel's creation, delayed publication, and eventual adaptation into a film. It highlights the significant time gap between the novel's writing and its film adaptation, setting the stage for a comparison of the two versions and emphasizing the substantial differences between them, particularly concerning the plot's setting and the overall themes.
2. Athol Fugard as a writer and the historical context: This chapter delves into Athol Fugard's biography and the historical context of apartheid in South Africa during the period when he wrote Tsotsi. It explores Fugard's upbringing and his increasing awareness of the brutality of the apartheid system, showing how this awareness heavily influenced his writing. The chapter details the socio-political landscape of South Africa, including the segregationist policies, the creation of black townships, and the rise of violent crime, illustrating the harsh realities that shape the backdrop of Tsotsi.
3. Tsotsi as a novel and Tsotsi as a film – a direct comparison: This chapter lays the groundwork for a detailed comparison between the novel and the film. It outlines the general differences between the two forms of media, emphasizing the role of the narrator, the manipulation of atmosphere through cinematic techniques, changes in setting, and alterations in language. The chapter serves as a bridge to the subsequent detailed comparison of specific plot points.
Keywords
Athol Fugard, Tsotsi, novel, film adaptation, apartheid, South Africa, post-apartheid South Africa, narrative techniques, cinematic techniques, comparative analysis, historical context, social commentary, crime, violence, character development, plot differences.
Tsotsi: Novel vs. Film Adaptation - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive comparison between Athol Fugard's novel "Tsotsi" and its film adaptation. It analyzes the significant differences between the two versions, exploring the reasons behind these changes and their impact on the overall themes and messages.
What are the key themes explored in the comparison?
The comparison focuses on several key themes, including the impact of shifting the historical setting from apartheid-era to post-apartheid South Africa, the differences in narrative techniques (particularly the role of the narrator), the contrasting atmospheres created by the novel's text and the film's visuals, alterations in the plot and their implications, and the potential influence of commercial considerations on the film adaptation.
What aspects of "Tsotsi" are compared in detail?
The comparison delves into specific plot points, chapter by chapter, highlighting the differences in how key events are portrayed in the novel and the film. This includes analyzing the portrayal of Tsotsi's gang, his encounters with various characters, his discovery of the baby and his subsequent transformation. The analysis considers the changes in atmosphere, setting, and language between the two versions.
How does the absence or reduction of the narrator impact the film adaptation?
The document explores the significant impact of the reduced narrator's role in the film compared to the novel. It analyzes how this affects the plausibility of the story, the level of detail presented, and the overall experience for the audience.
What is the historical context of "Tsotsi," and how does it influence the comparison?
The document considers the historical context of apartheid in South Africa, examining how the time period when Fugard wrote the novel influenced his portrayal of the events and characters. It then analyzes how the film's different setting in post-apartheid South Africa changes the interpretation and impact of the story.
What are the potential commercial reasons for the differences between the novel and the film?
The document investigates potential commercial factors that might have contributed to the changes made in the film adaptation. It suggests that certain alterations may have been made to make the story more accessible or commercially viable for a wider audience.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents provides a detailed outline of the document, including an introduction, sections on Athol Fugard and the historical context, a chapter-by-chapter comparison of the novel and film, an interpretation of the major differences, and a concluding summary.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words associated with this analysis include: Athol Fugard, Tsotsi, novel, film adaptation, apartheid, South Africa, post-apartheid South Africa, narrative techniques, cinematic techniques, comparative analysis, historical context, social commentary, crime, violence, character development, and plot differences.
What kind of audience is this document intended for?
This document is intended for an academic audience interested in a detailed and structured comparison of a literary work and its film adaptation, specifically focusing on the novel "Tsotsi" and its cinematic counterpart. It is suitable for academic research and analysis purposes.
- Quote paper
- B.A: Uwe Mehlbaum (Author), 2010, The Novel "Tsotsi" and its Adaptation on Film, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/166556
