J. M. Barrie

Disgrace, by J.M Coetzee, is a story about a man named David Lurie, but it's more on the story of a victim that was raped. Lucy Lurie, daughter of David Lurie, is a white, middle-aged, lesbian woman who was violated by three African-American men. This experience traumatizes her and changes her personality and perspectives. The trauma also sets back the relationship she has with her father. She demands neither sympathy nor justice for what has happened to her. What kind of resolve would a woman,…

Disgrace is told from narrator’s point of view which basically follows that of the main character David Lurie. That is why throughout the novel a lot is omitted, such as other characters motives and thoughts, like those of Lucy and Melanie. The author leaves them to reader’s personal understanding. On one hand it may frustrate us readers a we are always looking for clarity. But on the other hand, that is a projection of our real life, where we are so often unable to understand others. Rachel…

multiple different controversies we can explore, I have found an article that explores the controversies of rape as it is discussed in the book. The article I chose is called Rape and The Foundation of Nations in J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace, it is written by M. Van Wyk Smith. In this article he explores how the rape of Melanie and the rape of Lucy are related to our world. He also discusses how rape is almost common in our worlds history and that it is very daring for someone to talk about rape even…

Probing Petrus: An examination of the post-apartheid African dog-man What kind of person would allow outsiders to intrude upon a part of their shared land and put their own neighbor’s life in danger? Would any real man conspire against a person that was once a stranger, but eventually became his co-worker or moreover his employer, to attain success towards his own personal goals? The character of Petrus in J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace represents a symbol of payback emerging from the oppression of…

The theme of power is very evident in many works of literature, especially regarding culture, gender, and sex. When interpreting any works of literature, the role of power is usually held by a male character. In our society, more so the past, power is usually associated with masculinity rather than femininity. In these two works of literature, “Disgrace” by J.M. Coetzee and “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor, the theme of gender related power can be well interpreted amongst the…

Character Analysis of David Lurie My character Analysis will be about David Lurie from Disgrace by J.M Coetzee. He was chosen for this topic because he is of course the center of the book, mainly because he has a lot going on in his life that can be elaborated on. David Lurie, in my opinion is in fact an interesting character who made some bad choices in his life, especially for his age. I disfavor David’s actions and choices he made. For a man in his fifties, he should not be flirting…

Melanie Isaacs, a transition to a new life style The novel Disgrace, by J.M. Coetzee takes place in post-apartheid South Africa. The author offers a view of what is happening at the time, suggesting tensions between the races which are embodied mostly by symbols. David Lurie, a representation of “old” white South Africa, will interact with Melanie, his student and this will change his life from there. While the novel’s portrayal of Melanie have many meaningful layers despite her race, she has a…

I read an interesting essay recently, and I really want to share the story and my understanding with you. In the essay, “Turner and the Barber’s Shop”, John Berger narrates the life and art of Joseph Mallord William Turner who is one of the most important artists in history. Turner was born in London, the son of a barber. “He was a child prodigy” and entered the Royal Academy Schools at fourteen (215). Next, He had his own studio at eighteen, and his father becomes the assistant and factotum. He…

In 1798 a well-known poet named Samuel Taylor Coleridge published his poem The Rime of The Ancient Mariner. The poem was contained in a poem collage by Coleridge and William Wordsworth called the Lyrical Ballads. Coleridge is known for the Romantic influence in his writings: “Coleridge achieved wonder by the frank violation of natural laws, impressing upon readers a sense of occult powers and unknown modes of being” (“The Romantic Period: Topics.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature).…

“That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower. We will grieve no, rather find strength in what remains behind” (Wadsworth, 1807). This quote by Romantic poet, William Wadsworth, in Intimidations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood, accentuated the salience of nature during the Romantic Period in eighteenth century Europe. Previously, individuals supported…