New Zealand Literature

Pre-Colonial Period

The Maori began to populate the islands of New Zealand somewhere around the turn of the first and second millennia; in the centuries that followed, an oral literary tradition was formed and developed. In addition to myths and legends that reflect the history of the people and their ideas about the world, Maori are characterized by love poems, war songs, prayers and lamentations . The performance of literary works on marae usually turned into a performance in which changes in intonation, facial expressions, gestures were used ^[1] .

The colonialists who arrived on the islands in the 19th century collected, preserved and published Maori folklore ^[1] . So, for example, in 1854, the collection “Cases of the Ancestors of the Maori” ( Maori Ko nga mahinga a nga tupuna Māori ) compiled by George Gray was published, and in 1928 the collection “Songs” ( Maori Ngā Mōteatea ) ^[2] compiled by Apirana Ngata was published.

The earliest written texts related to New Zealand were written by sailors from European countries. For example, in 1773 in London, on the basis of the diaries of the expedition members James Cook, published a bestselling book about their discoveries in the Pacific Ocean , and in 1807 ship surgeon John Savage published the book “Some Information about New Zealand ”( eng. Some Account of New Zealand ) ^[3] .

Second half of the 19th century.

The peculiarities of the history of the colonization of Australia and New Zealand formed similar economic and cultural features in the development of the two countries, even called for some time generically by Australasia . This was reflected in the development of literary tradition: the main role here was played by English culture . The earliest works of New Zealand literature date back to the second half of the 19th century ^[4] . Although the first Maori printed publication - written by missionary " " ( Maori A korao no New Zealand ) - appeared back in 1815 ^{[3] [5]} , written literature began to be created primarily on English , and in Maori, only Christian religious literature, periodicals and folklore were originally published ^[4] .

The first works of the second half of the 19th century are documentary and autobiographical in nature: the local nature, life, Maori life, and the history of colonization are described. One of the first novelists was , and , William Golder, and , dedicated themselves to poetry . ^[4]

Further contact between the cultures of the colonialists and local Māori led to their interpenetration and increased interest among writers in the topic of the indigenous inhabitants of the islands. In this direction worked George Wilson ( born George H. Wilson ), , Alfred Domett ^[4] and others.

Early 20th Century

At the turn of the century, national self-awareness began to grow, expressed in literature in an increase in interest in the themes of patriotism , democracy , feminism , and the unjust structure of society. These themes were close to the work of , , Catherine Mansfield , and other writers.

The economic crisis of the 1930s intensified criticism of British imperialism and capitalism , calls for breaking cultural contact with Great Britain ^[6] became more active, from where the largest amount of literature read in New Zealand came up to the middle of the 20th century ^[7] . The influence of Marxist ideas increased. These moods are reflected in the works of poets , , , , Mary Ursula Betell and others. In prose, realism comes to the fore, social issues are raised. In the 1930s and 1940s, , , , Frank Sargeson , ^[6] and others wrote their novels.

Post-war period

After the Second World War, the creative search in the country's writers' environment intensifies and finds expression in different directions: for example, moral and philosophical concepts are comprehended in poetry, questions of choosing one's own national and poetic paths are raised, traditional landscape lyrics are enriched with urban motifs, the reaction to the Vietnam War is growing the number of anti-militaristic texts. Significant poets of this time are Denis Glover and ^[6] .

In prose, realism retains its influence, the themes of the participation of New Zealanders in the past war, their life in the context of the entire history of the country, the fate of the Maori, ethnic conflicts, personality problems and its conflict with the world and society, are raised. These topics are developed by , , , Noel Hilliard, , Frank Sargeson, ^[6] and others.

At the same time, modernism , which is represented by Sylvia Ashton-Warner, Janet Frame , ^[8] and others, is gaining popularity.

In 1947, the literary magazine began to appear, and later, from 1972, another, Island, ^[6] .

In the 1960s, a new direction in creativity was also emerging, based on a combination and European-New Zealand literary and artistic tradition. He is represented by such Maori writers as the poet , prose writers Viti Ihimaera , ^[6] , as well as writers Alistair Campbell , ^[8] and others.

Modern Period

A popular genre of the late 20th century is a short story in which and ^{[1] work} .

and , who also published poems, as well as better known for her poetic works, also work in the genre of prose. Also known such prose writers as , ^[1] and others.

The genre of biography and autobiography is gaining popularity ^[1] .

Among the major contemporary writers, it is also important to note such as Fleur Edcock , , , ^[8] , , , , , Sarah Quigley, Albert Wendt , , , , and ^[1] and others.