Disgrace, by J. M. Coetzee

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This paper aims to investigate some aspects of postcolonialism, feminism, as well as symbolism, allegories and metaphors. For this purpose I have chosen the novel Disgrace (1999) by J.M Coetzee. The story takes place in Cape Town, in post-apartheid South Africa. David Lurie is a white man and works as a professor of English at a technical university. He is a ‘communication’ lecturer and he teaches ‘romantic literature’ too. Lurie is divorced two times already and one gets the impression that he is not really satisfied with his job. His "disgrace" comes when he makes attempts to seduce Melanie Isaacs, one of his students, against her will. This affair is then remitted to the school authorities and a special committee is convoked to judge his actions.

Camelia’s part

The fact that the whole plot takes place in the post apartheid era refers to the topic of postcolonialism. In Lurie’s eyes his students are stupid and uninterested in his course. To the arrangement with the perceived futility of his existence, appertains the affair with his student Melanie, because it fills the empty time and makes him forget the fear of getting older. But the liaison comes to light and an proceedings against the teacher are instituted. Of course a lot of people are infuriated by Lurie’s deed and here feminism comes into play. The organization Women Against Rape holds a twenty-four-hour vigil together with rape victims. Everything is done protect women, there is ‘Rape Awareness Week’ on the university campus (p.43). The investigative department wants David to confess and feel remorseful but he is stubborn and sees himself superior and more powerful to the dark-skinned people. Mr. Lurie absolutely fails to see that he did a huge mistake and refuses to ...

... middle of paper ...

...In the novel Disgrace, Lurie, the white man, seems in a sense to reflect this character because he is selfish and behaves very disrespectful towards women.

Books:
Disgrace (1999) by J.M Coetzee p. 43, 64, 74, 90, 92, 129, 198
The Way of The Sign (2011) by Camelia Elias
Compendium, Text and Sign: Autumn 2013 by Spencer Hazel

Websites: http://www.shmoop.com/disgrace-coetzee/symbolism-imagery.html http://www.novelguide.com/disgrace/metaphor-analysis http://www.ajol.info/index.php/tvl/article/view/93208 Books:
Disgrace (1999) by J.M Coetzee p. 43, 64, 74, 90, 92, 129, 198
The Way of The Sign (2011) by Camelia Elias
Compendium, Text and Sign: Autumn 2013 by Spencer Hazel

Websites: http://www.shmoop.com/disgrace-coetzee/symbolism-imagery.html http://www.novelguide.com/disgrace/metaphor-analysis
http://www.ajol.info/index.php/tvl/article/view/93208

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