Genocidal Action and Framing in Vera's The Stone Virgins

Abstract

Summary The article is a literary analysis of Yvonne Vera's The Stone Virgins tracing the effects of genocide on society as represented in the novel. Existing criticism of the novel either focuses on the poetry and lyricism of the novel or the terror and violence of the war. This article draws on genocide theories to unpack the stages of genocide and its aftermath as represented in the novel. It argues that without understanding the dynamics that led to the violence in Matabeleland, there is likely to be a repeat as people are unaware of what to avoid.