Individual guilt and collective memory in J.M. coetzee’s disgrace
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This present study explores individual guilt and collective memory of the
disgracefulhistory of South Africa of white.The researcher basically explores the
conscious or sub-conscious minds of whites who seek redemption for the sinful acts
done in the past towards the blacks. Coetzee’s Disgraceis a representative story of
Post-apartheid South Africa where people, basically whites, are facing the outcomes
of colonialism and apartheid rule. The novel presents story of David Lurie, a middle
aged whiteSouth African college professor and his daughter; Lucy Lurie. Presenting
Lurie who was once a member of privileged ruling group and has now lost all his
powers and positions, Coetzee is trying to show the political, social as well as
psychological changes among people of South Africa.Lurie’s broken relationship, his
perspective towards women, mostly black and his view towards life is shown to be
changed. Ms. Lucy who becomes victim of criminal as sault by some blacksis not
willing to claim for justice but accepts everything silently and seeks refuge in the
society of her attackers. By showing this Coetzee has exposed the deeper psychology
of whites that they are suffering for what they (individually) and their ancestors
(collectively) have done to the blacks in the past and their silent acceptance of the
same as a way to seekredemption.Library consultation and review of literature
methods have been used for performing this research work. Similarly post-apartheid
and post colonialism theoretical approachesare applied for the analysis of the topic.
Description
Keywords
Post-colonial, Individual guilt