This contribution presents an analysis of the novel Stiefmoeder Aarde by theDutch author Theun de Vries. The values in this novel or its potential tendentiousnessare laid bare by way of several narratological techniques, centeringaround the concepts of polysemy and genre, and by focussing on theopening pages of the novel. The first paragraphs of Stiefmoeder Aarde areshown to present the norms of the stereotypical farmer, characteristic ofregional novels, and of a capitalist perspective. However, a subtle ambiguitybrought about by narrative style makes it unsure whether the norms in thispassage are put forward by the farmer, Wychman, or by the narrating authority.This narratorial vagueness combines with the genre in which the text isrendered to leave the reader with the impression that the farmer's perspectivemay be condoned or even promulgated by the narrator. This initial tolerancefor the capitalist farmer's perspective serves to set off in full force the socialistpoint of view in the rest of the novel.
