Disgrace By J. M Coetzee's Sexual Instinct Sexual Instinct

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Sexual Instinct exists in animals in order for them to reproduce and perpetuate. Animals are believed to be incapable resisting their sexual instinct. Humans though reproduce based on their desire. Evolution of human sexual desires from animal form is that “Only the human developed a different behaviour system, one which included intellectual control over the instincts.” This is seen to show that humans have a desire for sex, but we also have a control to our instinct. In the novel Disgrace by J.M Coetzee, the author states that sexual instinct is a gender construction that can be altered, and not a biological predetermined instinct. Through the use of imagery David altered his thoughts from blaming his desires on instinct to confronting …show more content…

Coetzee quotes “ Not liking the stickiness of the makeup, he asked her to wipe it off. She obeyed, and has never worn it since” (Coetzee 5). David showing signs of dominance over Soraya. David’s power was associated with his sexual instinct, but as time goes by, we see his strength weaken because of his inability to control his desire for women. During Lucy’s rape David was left powerless, trapped right outside from where his daughter was being hurt. David quotes “ “He speaks Italian, he speaks French, but Italian and French will not save him here in darkest Africa. He is helpless [...] (Coetzee 95).” Coetzees previous language associated the dominance of men is closely related to rape. Lucy states "When it comes to men and sex, David, nothing surprises me any more. Maybe, for men, hating the woman makes sex more exciting. … when you trap her, hold her down, get her under you, put all your weight on her… doesn’t it feel like murder, like getting away with murder?" (18.96)” Coetzee describes a change in Davids who realizes his actions against women are just like the actions associated with the men who raped his daughter. Coetzee describes …show more content…

David sees women as a powerless figures who need a man to be controlled. “. “Soon she will be positively heavy. Letting herself go, as what happens when one withdraws from the field of love.” (Coetzee 65)” David brings emphasis to withdrawing from love as if women cannot have sexual love without a man present. Lucy brings uncertainty to David’s logic by being gay and not having any male figures in her life. David quotes “Would they dare to share a bed while he was in the house? If the bed creaked in the night, would they be embarrassed? Embarrassed enough to stop? But what does he know about what women do together? (10.57) David shows confusion in not knowing how sex is enjoyable without a man present. Showing David’s ignorance based on his sexual reasoning. He quotes “He presses on the issue how money can live without a man present.” Coetzee used David’s view towards women and Gender as a sign of his change in viewpoint towards females. Lucy is from the start a very strong woman who takes care of herself and she breaks all the traditional gender roles. Coetzee brings emphasis to gender roles and how it relates to sexual identity. Females without a man cannot been seen as a present figure in society. They are individuals who withdraw from love. Judith Butler argues “To say that gender is performative is a little different because for something to be performative means that it

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