An Analysis of J.M. Coetzees Disgrace

An Analysis of J.M. Coetzees DisgraceThe novel Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee has attracted wide readership and analysis since its first publication. Set in the post-apartheid South Africa, the plot of ground revolves around the main character David Lurie, a divorced 52-year- honest-to-goodness professor who earns a living by teaching communication courses at the Cape Technical University. The resounding conflict in the novel is introduced right from the first paragraph where readers learn of Luries insatiable familiar appetite. He had affairs with the wives of colleagues he picked up tourists in proscribe on the waterfront or at the Club Italia he slept with whores (7). Luries transactionhips thus surround women, worldy who end up in engaging in cozy activities with him. In this paper, the themes of arrogance, disgrace, and reconciliation ar explored by reviewing Luries interactions with the women in the novel. Despite the portrayal of the female gender as objects of sexual gratif ication, the characters Soraya, Desiree Isaacs, and Rosalind signify, to a rea give-and-takeable extent, the rejection of male hegemony on sexual matters.A critical analysis into the life of David Lurie reveals a character whose greatest daub rests in the inability to mark sexual drive. Readers get an idea of the flaw in the first paragraph when Lurie is introduced as a divorced, 52-year-old macrocosm who, to his mind has solved the hassle of sex rather well (1). We also learn that the problem that Lurie alludes to above has been solved through his sexual relationship with Soraya, an exotic Muslim prostitute working for Discreet Escorts. Whereas the two argon committed to a ninety-minute sexual session every Thursday Afternoon, their engagement is clearly devoid of love and enjoyment, especially from the side of Soraya. Elizabeth Lowry, an editor at London redirect examination of Books, finds the relationship of Lurie and women as exploitative. She submits that, both the prost itute Soraya and Melanie-Melni are used women and, significantly, they are both dark (Lowry 15). Money is what drives Soraya to honor this appointment. In fact, the objectification and commoditization of Soraya body is revealed from the knowledge that a sensation sexual session takes a duration of ninety minutes and costs a total of R400 (Coetzee 2).The relationship between Lurie and Soraya however ends in a res publica of disgrace for both characters. Disgrace being a theme which underpins untold of the story, Lurie first instance of disgrace happens when he catches the sight of Soraya walking with her two sons on a street that he frequently walks. The glance of Soraya and her two sons live a lasting impression in Luries mind that, in as much as he would like to forget, the two little boys become presences between them (6). Evidently, the reality of Soraya double life leaves Lurie at a state of shame when he tries to imagine what the two sons and their father would do if they d iscover what he does with Soraya. The feeling is even made worse by the fact that he himself has no son and is divorced. Shame, regret, and dishonor cloud the minds of both these characters. Lurie speaks of she Soraya transforms herself into just another woman and him into just another client (Coetzee 7). It is also in this reality that Lurie comes to terms that he energy just be a subject in the prostitutes gossip. McDonald (2007) puts this new reality into perspective by submitting that the illusion shattered that is when Soraya eyes met that of Lurie is not of her objectivity, but of his avow subjectivity, as he becomes aware of how she sees him (McDonald 20). For the first time, he appears embarrassed of his age body as prostitute tend to shudder over older clients (Coetzee 8).another(prenominal) theme that Coetzee reveals through the relationship of Lurie and women is that of arrogance. Arrogance entails an overbearing attitude directed to people who are perceived as inferior . This arrogance brings to light the hegemonic gender relations between men and women. For instance, after Soraya rejected Luries tendency to regain dominance over her, Lurie re-asserts his dominance when he asks rhetorical questions what should a predator expect when he intrudes into the vixens nest, into the home of her cubs? (Coetzee 10). McDonald (2009) suggests that objectifying Soraya through the use of animal metaphors was a strategy used by Lurie to reclaim dominance and authority (21). Even though the details skirt their Luries marriage to Rosalind are scarce, we can gain a wind of Luries arrogance in the marriage set-up through the thoughts that run through his mind. For instance, in an attempt to guarantee his sexual escapades with Soraya, he appears to suggest that who needs a wife, home or marriage when ninety minutes a week with a womans company are enough to make him happy? This is arrogance of the highest order especially to women who, in marriage setup, tend to be very loyal and submissive. Arrogance is further revealed through Luries encounter with Desiree Isaacs. Despite the fact that he has visited their home to make apology for sleeping with Melanie (a student from his class), one cannot help but wonder how again Lurie still views Desiree through lustful lenses. He for instance describes her as the beauty and the desired one. He even imagines the two of them Melanie and Desiree in the same bed an experience accord for a King (164).However, still through Luries relationship to Soraya, Desiree Isaacs, and Rosalind, the theme of reconciliation is explored as even male hegemony in gender relations is rejected. For instance, Luries makes an attempt to fabricate with Soraya by tracking her to her home. Soraya rejects this and in turn demands commands Lurie to never phone her home again. Desiree on the other hand finds it very hard to reconcile with an old man who had messed up with her sister. In as much as the family had discussed about Lu rie and his planned visit, Desiree still thinks that he is unwanted visitor. She simply cannot come into terms with the reality that her sister, Melanie, had slept with this old man. The attend to of reconciliation between Isaacs, particularly women, is complicated by the gender sexual practice that comes into play. We for instance read of Luries apology when he, with careful ceremony he gets to his knees and touches his supercilium to the floor (Coetzee 173). This gesture however leaves the mother and Desiree unmoved. It can be argued that the rejection of the apology has more to do with the elements of insincerity. According to J.M. Austerities (2016), it is argued that the gesture neither transcends not negates the predicament of gendered sexuality because, a few lines later, we see Lurie experiencing again the current leaps, the current of desire as he looks into the eyes of mother and daughter (J.M. Austerities 160).Nonetheless, Rosalind depicts a woman who has gained contro l over her life and is willing to reconcile with her husband but not necessarily emotionally. She openly expresses distaste for Luries sexual escapades with Melanie. She says, The whole thing is disgraceful from antecedent to end. Disgraceful and vulgar too. And Im not sorry for saying so. (45) Through Rosalind, we see a woman who is not afraid to stand up against a man who had divorced her. However, we can also sense an aspect of Rosalind that is determined to reconcile their differences and be on civil terms. For example, she expresses concern over an article in the argus pheasant news article discussing Lurie. By telephoning and urging Lurie to steel himself, there isa sense of a woman who is on a reconciliation mission.In conclusion, the themes of arrogance, disgrace, and reconciliation are explored in light of gendered-sexual relations between Lurie and characters Soraya, Desiree Isaacs, and Rosalind. Objectification and commoditization of women as sexual tools are the source of Luries arrogance. His character eventually disgraces him when he becomes the objects of self-shame and public ridicule. Because of Luries hegemonic views when he comes to gender relations, the process of reconciliation is complicated to those who cannot explain or accept his behavior.Works CitedCoetzee, J M. Disgrace. Penguin Publishing Group, 2017. Internet resource.J.M. Coetzees Austerities. New York. Routledge, 2016. PrintLowry, Elizabeth. Like a dog. London Review of Books 14 (1999) 12-14.McDonald, William E. Encountering Disgrace Reading and Teaching Coetzees Novel. Rochester, N.Y Camden House, 2009. Print.