The Celebration of Survival in J.M. Coetzee’s Life and Times of Michael K
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Abstract
J.M. Coetzee'sLife and Times of Michael Kexposes the feats and hazards in
the life of the central character Michael K and his continuation of the life of his own
choice. In spite of fragmentation and suffering, MichaelK heroically accepts and
continues his constant struggle throughout his life in order to maintain the glory of his
survival. In the background of civil strife due to apartheid in South Africa, the novel
Life and Times of Michael Kreflects the hostile socio-economic, political cultural and
existential crisis in which Michael K is embroiled in the turmoil of restriction and
confinement in Jail and camps. But yet he escapes every restrictions and confinements
imposed by society upon him and he copes with thesituation by collecting vigor to
challenge difficulties that constitutes the common predicament of human life. And he
takes survival as glorious success and immense source of pleasure amidst pain and
suffering.