How Mockery Silences Voices

In this article, I diagnostically explore the influence of mockery and ridicule on personal and communal relationships, using “Inxeba Lendoda Alihlekwa” (“There Is No Pride in Another Person’s Wound”) (Magqashela, Ntwana and Nyuka 2011) as a literary piece of textual evidence through reader-response theory. The aim is to unearth the socio-cultural and psychological implications of celebrating another person’s vulnerability. By definition, reader-response theory underlines that the meaning of a literary text emerges from the interaction between the text and the reader’s experiences. Two key findings emerge. Firstly, I underscore that readers’ socio-cultural backgrounds may significantly influence their understanding of mockery, unmasking its ability to fracture community bonds and corrode individual self-worth. Secondly, I underline readers’ emotional resonance towards characters subjected to ridicule, intensifying their consciousness of the overarching social implications of such behaviour. These findings bring to the fore the participatory nature of reading modern isiXhosa literature and the imperative of cultural and psychological factors in literary interpretation. I then conclude by advocating for literary interpretation that embraces diverse philosophies, which not only solidify the discernment of literary texts but also cement empathy and solidarity in addressing the destructive impact of mockery in isiXhosa literature and beyond.