Melanie Isaacs: symbol of desire, shame, and regret
In his novel Disgrace, J.M Coetzee, introduces us, from the very beginning, to a world of conflict, fundamentally, between the emotions of the reader, and those of the characters. Touching subjects of extreme delicacy, in a period and place of change. We can clearly see strong emotions manifest throughout the story line, practically defining the actions of some of the characters. The author writes with questions in his mind, leaving us in some sort of limbo, with our own ideals and believes to answer our curiosity. In this paper, I will be discussing the character of Melanie Isaacs, and how she impacted David’s life, regarding desire, shame, and regret.
Melanie brings about, in David’s life, …show more content…
He does not see it as running away, he sees it as leaving his troubles behind. Even when he is far away, he still thinks about Melanie. She is often brought to conversation between David and his daughter, Lucy, whose bond starts to take shape once again. He begins to adapt to the country life. Together with Lucy, he works the land and takes care of the dogs. It all seems to fall into place. Until one day, violence and rape walks thru the door, in the form of two black men and a boy. Without warning, in a short afternoon, they destroy Lucy’s spirit, and David’s drive to live. The way in which Lucy deals with the attack makes no sense to David. Which understandably leads to fights between the two of them. As their relationship starts to break, David decides to return to his old life, his old job, his old house. But before that, he needs to face his regrets, he needs to see Melanie. Although very awkward, the dinner with the Isaacs and Melanie, it is a much needed step towards redemption. “At the beginning of the novel, Lourie renounces hope by renouncing the possibility of change” (Kochin). Hope seems far from achievable to David, because of his stubborn nature. Moreover, the adventure of discovery he transitions thru, starting with his relationship with Melanie, shifts his mind and life all …show more content…
Although it can be discussed, that Coetzee’s representation of the period borderlines on gloomy pessimism, he portraits controversial, but very much real problems. Thru David’s relationship with Melanie, a needed change it is introduced into David’s life in every way. Which can be linked to the ongoing change in South Africa. He has to face his feelings of desire, the old ones, and the new ones. Implicating the transition towards aging. He finally accepts his shame. And he faces head one his regrets. She represents his lust for life, his shame of a life not leaved to the fullest, and his regrets of past
In his novel Disgrace, J.M Coetzee, introduces us, from the very beginning, to a world of conflict, fundamentally, between the emotions of the reader, and those of the characters. Touching subjects of extreme delicacy, in a period and place of change. We can clearly see strong emotions manifest throughout the story line, practically defining the actions of some of the characters. The author writes with questions in his mind, leaving us in some sort of limbo, with our own ideals and believes to answer our curiosity. In this paper, I will be discussing the character of Melanie Isaacs, and how she impacted David’s life, regarding desire, shame, and regret.
Melanie brings about, in David’s life, …show more content…
He does not see it as running away, he sees it as leaving his troubles behind. Even when he is far away, he still thinks about Melanie. She is often brought to conversation between David and his daughter, Lucy, whose bond starts to take shape once again. He begins to adapt to the country life. Together with Lucy, he works the land and takes care of the dogs. It all seems to fall into place. Until one day, violence and rape walks thru the door, in the form of two black men and a boy. Without warning, in a short afternoon, they destroy Lucy’s spirit, and David’s drive to live. The way in which Lucy deals with the attack makes no sense to David. Which understandably leads to fights between the two of them. As their relationship starts to break, David decides to return to his old life, his old job, his old house. But before that, he needs to face his regrets, he needs to see Melanie. Although very awkward, the dinner with the Isaacs and Melanie, it is a much needed step towards redemption. “At the beginning of the novel, Lourie renounces hope by renouncing the possibility of change” (Kochin). Hope seems far from achievable to David, because of his stubborn nature. Moreover, the adventure of discovery he transitions thru, starting with his relationship with Melanie, shifts his mind and life all …show more content…
Although it can be discussed, that Coetzee’s representation of the period borderlines on gloomy pessimism, he portraits controversial, but very much real problems. Thru David’s relationship with Melanie, a needed change it is introduced into David’s life in every way. Which can be linked to the ongoing change in South Africa. He has to face his feelings of desire, the old ones, and the new ones. Implicating the transition towards aging. He finally accepts his shame. And he faces head one his regrets. She represents his lust for life, his shame of a life not leaved to the fullest, and his regrets of past