Parallelization of Women and Animals in J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace

Abstract

This dissertation explores how women and animals have been objectified and dehumanized in Coetzee’s celebrated novel Disgrace. Characters such as Soraya, Melanie, and dogs, have been subjected to ruthless treatment. The subjugation of female characters and animalization of non-human creatures depict the horrendous scene of post-apartheid South Africa to these both groups. In order to study the portrayal of female characters and animal abuse, this research work employs the theoretical insights from feminism and literary animal studies (LAS) as methodological tools. Literary animal studies provides theoretical foundation to study the misrepresentations of women and animals in literary text and seeks to critically review these portrayals as discourse created to establish patriarchal domination. This dissertation utilizes the concepts of Margo DeMello, Gina Poyner, and Peter Singer to analyze the depiction of animals as lowly creatures. Particularly, it employs Carol J. Adams’ thoughts to analyze the depiction of women and animals as subordinate figures in this text. Through her seminal work,Women Battering and Harm to Animals, Carol J. Adams provides a coherent theoretical platform while explaining the situation of women and animals. Feminist theorists like Elaine Showalter and Gayatri Spivak have been used to explicate textual data. By analyzing Spivek’s concepts of “subaltern,” this dissertation reveals how female characters are forced to be submissive, voiceless, and invisible in colonial frameworks. Coetzee’s use of animal imagery and metaphor is described as a focal point to prove how animals and women have been mistreated in great transition phase of South African history from apartheid to post- apartheid. The significance of this study lies in re-evaluation of societal norms that perpetuate discrimination and marginalization. By dismantling these hierarchical relationship between men and women/animal, and nature humans can establish a society based on justice, equality, fraternity, and freedom.