English
2020
Characterization and narration;
David Lurie’s struggle with post-apartheid South Africa in Disgrace
Written in 1998 by John Maxwell Coetzee and later awarded with a Booker prize for
literature, Disgrace is one of the most internationally well-known South African novels of
today. Describing the life of protagonist David Lurie, an English professor at the Technical
University of East Cape in Cape Town, Disgrace reveals the hedonistic sexual urges which the
52-year-old white divorcee is incapable of controlling leading to new consequences in post-
apartheid South Africa. Yet this story can be seen as more relevant in the broader context of
the struggle of David Lurie with modern society representing the struggle of emancipation
by the white population in post-apartheid South Africa.
Firstly, In the post-apartheid era the white population struggles with the loss of power to the
black population iof South Africa. Lurie’s focalization is a vital instrument to funnel Lurie’s
ideas about South Africa and to understand the chronological events which occur in the time
frame spans in. David’s role as focalizer is particularly evident in the beginning of Disgrace
“Melanie-melody: a meretricious rhyme. Not a good name for her. Shift the accent. Mélani:
the dark one.” (p. 18, Coetzee, 1998). This quote serves as an example of Lurie’s perspective.
Melanie Isaacs, a student whom David had an affair with, is treated by David as an object,
an item which can be collected, named and forgotten without any further personal
implications for him. Later on, it becomes clear that his actions are now with implications
due to a changing society. “ Re-education. Reformation of the character. The code-word was
counselling.’” (p. 66, Coetzee, 1998). Lurie has to justify for his abuse of power before a
university commission in what he calls “A TV show” (p. 28, Coetzee, 1998). Lurie lost his
position of power to a member of the emancipating black population, and he now faces the
consequences for his abuse of power which previously went unpunished. To emancipate
Lurie must give in to the values of a modern South Africa and change his ideas and attitude,
or face the consequences for his actions, something which he, ultimately, refuses. This leads
to his resignation as an adjunct-professor. This draws similarities to the situation in post-
2020
Characterization and narration;
David Lurie’s struggle with post-apartheid South Africa in Disgrace
Written in 1998 by John Maxwell Coetzee and later awarded with a Booker prize for
literature, Disgrace is one of the most internationally well-known South African novels of
today. Describing the life of protagonist David Lurie, an English professor at the Technical
University of East Cape in Cape Town, Disgrace reveals the hedonistic sexual urges which the
52-year-old white divorcee is incapable of controlling leading to new consequences in post-
apartheid South Africa. Yet this story can be seen as more relevant in the broader context of
the struggle of David Lurie with modern society representing the struggle of emancipation
by the white population in post-apartheid South Africa.
Firstly, In the post-apartheid era the white population struggles with the loss of power to the
black population iof South Africa. Lurie’s focalization is a vital instrument to funnel Lurie’s
ideas about South Africa and to understand the chronological events which occur in the time
frame spans in. David’s role as focalizer is particularly evident in the beginning of Disgrace
“Melanie-melody: a meretricious rhyme. Not a good name for her. Shift the accent. Mélani:
the dark one.” (p. 18, Coetzee, 1998). This quote serves as an example of Lurie’s perspective.
Melanie Isaacs, a student whom David had an affair with, is treated by David as an object,
an item which can be collected, named and forgotten without any further personal
implications for him. Later on, it becomes clear that his actions are now with implications
due to a changing society. “ Re-education. Reformation of the character. The code-word was
counselling.’” (p. 66, Coetzee, 1998). Lurie has to justify for his abuse of power before a
university commission in what he calls “A TV show” (p. 28, Coetzee, 1998). Lurie lost his
position of power to a member of the emancipating black population, and he now faces the
consequences for his abuse of power which previously went unpunished. To emancipate
Lurie must give in to the values of a modern South Africa and change his ideas and attitude,
or face the consequences for his actions, something which he, ultimately, refuses. This leads
to his resignation as an adjunct-professor. This draws similarities to the situation in post-
