Unkept Promises and Land Conflicts in Damon Galgut’s The Promise

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 24 Sayı: 4, 1837 - 1851, 30.10.2025

Ahmet Yusuf Akyüz , İsmail Avcu

https://doi.org/10.21547/jss.1699594

Öz

This study critically examines the conflicts surrounding land, unfulfilled promises, and the dichotomy of self versus other in Damon Galgut’s The Promise. The novel provides a profound exploration of the manipulation and subjugation of individuals and cultures under oppressive political regimes, particularly the apartheid system in South Africa. A state-sanctioned system of racial segregation and discrimination that was institutionalized from 1948 until the early 1990s, systematically privileging the settlers while marginalizing the indigenous populations. Through a close reading of The Promise, this study reveals how the novel reflects the broken promises that defined apartheid and its lingering aftermath. Central to this analysis is the exploration of apartheid’s legislative framework and its devastating socio-economic consequences, particularly for black South Africans. The study investigates how apartheid entrenched systemic inequality by fostering a rigid hierarchy that positioned the white “self” as superior and the black “other” as inferior. Galgut’s narrative captures the psychological and material repercussions of this ideology, exposing its dehumanizing effects. Furthermore, the study examines post-apartheid South Africa as depicted in The Promise, focusing on the unresolved issue of land redistribution. Despite the end of apartheid, equitable land restitution remains an unfulfilled promise, perpetuating historical injustices. The novel portrays the resistance of white landowners to relinquishing property, highlighting ongoing racial and economic disparities. By interrogating these themes, this study underscores the enduring legacy of apartheid and the challenges of achieving true reconciliation and justice in contemporary South Africa. The study examines the symbolism of the unfulfilled promise and the silencing of black persons in the novel. Eventually, it displays the disputes and confrontations between settler and native characters, highlighting their viewpoints and the reverberations of colonialism and racist policies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Apartheid , Land redistribution , Self versus other , South Africa , The Promise , Unfulfilled promise.

Damon Galgut’un Vaat Romanında Yerine Getirilmeyen Sözler ve Toprak Çatışmaları

Öz

Bu çalışma, Damon Galgut’un Vaat adlı romanında toprak çatışmalarını, yerine getirilmeyen vaatleri ve “ben” ile “öteki” arasındaki ikiliği eleştirel bir bakışla inceler. Roman, özellikle Güney Afrika’daki apartheid rejimi altında bireylerin ve kültürlerin nasıl manipüle edildiğini ve boyun eğdirildiğini derinlemesine irdeler. Apartheid, 1948’den 1990’ların başına kadar kurumsallaşmış, devlet destekli bir ırk ayrımı ve ayrımcılık sistemiydi; yerleşimci nüfusu sistematik olarak kayırırken, yerli halkları marjinalleştiriyordu. Vaat üzerine gerçekleştirilen bu metin odaklı analiz, romanın apartheid döneminin kırık vaatlerini ve kalıcı mirasını nasıl yansıttığını ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışmanın merkezinde, apartheid’ın yasal çerçevesi ve özellikle siyahi Güney Afrikalılar üzerindeki yıkıcı sosyo-ekonomik etkilerinin incelenmesi yer alır. Çalışma, apartheid’in beyaz “ben”i üstün, siyah “öteki”yi ise aşağı konumlandıran katı bir hiyerarşi oluşturarak sistematik eşitsizliği nasıl kökleştirdiğini incelemektedir. Galgut’un anlatısı, bu ideolojinin psikolojik ve maddi yansımalarını ortaya koyarak onun insanlık dışı etkilerini gözler önüne serer. Ayrıca, çalışma, Vaat’ta betimlenen apartheid sonrası Güney Afrika’yı, özellikle çözümlenmemiş toprak yeniden dağıtımı sorununu ele alır. Apartheid’ın sona ermesine rağmen, adil toprak iadesi hala yerine getirilmemiş bir vaat olarak kalmakta ve tarihsel adaletsizlikleri sürdürmektedir. Roman, beyaz toprak sahiplerinin mülklerinden vazgeçmeye direnişini tasvir ederek devam eden ırksal ve ekonomik eşitsizlikleri vurgular. Bu temalar üzerinden, çalışma apartheid’ın kalıcı mirasını ve çağdaş Güney Afrika’da gerçek uzlaşma ve adaletin sağlanmasındaki zorlukları sorgular. Romanın merkezindeki yerine getirilmeyen vaat sembolizmi ve siyahi bireylerin sessizleştirilmesi incelenir. Son olarak, yerleşimci ve yerli karakterler arasındaki çatışmalar, perspektif farklılıkları ve sömürgecilik ile ırkçı politikaların yankıları ortaya konulur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Apartheid , Toprak yeniden dağıtımı , Ben ve öteki , Güney Afrika , Vaat , Yerine getirilmeyen vaat.

Kaynakça

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