Disgrace

J.M. Coetzee

By: Mike Swan

Purpose

• The gist of Disgrace is to show that no matter what obstacles we meet (racial, sexual, relational) life will continue.

• Although the world is constantly changing (in areas such as: race, animal treatment, family relations, and reputations) knowledge and love can help us overcome.

• Death is an imminent and constant part of life that we should be aware of in our daily life.

Themes of Disgrace

• Sexuality• Race• Rape• Justice• Animal Treatment• Family Relations• Reputations• Knowledge

Quote 1 For Themes

• “They came to do something else as well…after they did what they did, you cannot expect Lucy to go on with her life as before.” (119) –Rape

• David talking to Petrus about what the men did to Lucy.

Quote 2 for Themes

• “He is convinced the dogs know their time has come…they flatten their ears, they droop their tails, as if they too feel the disgrace of dying.” (143) –Animal Treatment

• Although David never had much love for animals, working at the clinic helps him show more compassion.

Quote 3 for Themes

• “Helen is a large, sad-looking woman… he has never been able to understand what Lucy sees in her; privately he wishes Lucy would find, or be found by, someone better.” (60) –Sexuality

• It is inferred that Lucy is a lesbian considering Helen and her lived together so long.

Quote 4 for Themes

• “I cannot be a child for ever. You cannot be a father fore ever. I know you mean well, but you are not the guide I need, not at this time.” (161) –Family Relations

• David and Lucy’s relationship is not typical of a father and daughter; however, it shows their unique relationship.

Quote 5 for Themes

• “Your inquiry, your inquest, whatever you call it. I heard you didn’t perform well.” (188) –Reputations

• David’s reputation is ruined after the affair with Melanie, but he doesn’t seem to care and still feels fine with himself.

Recommendation

• The audience for Disgrace are most likely older, mature people who are dealing with life’s obstacles personally.

• The style of Disgrace is very dark, frank narrative prose work, mainly in first person

• I would give the book three stars out of five stars

J.M. Coetzee

• Born 1940 in Cape Town• Served in WWII for

South Africa in Italy• Won Booker Prize- 1999• Won Nobel Prize in

Literature- 2003• Began fiction in 1969• Taught in U.S. frequently • Emigrated to Australia in

2003

Personal Connection

• I felt a connection to how Lucy remains on her farm is like when I remained in Santiago.

• We both went some bad times, which was enough reason to pick up and start over again

• However we stayed our course and didn’t let anything bring us down

Thank You

..I hope you enjoyed my report..