J.M. Coetzee's "Disgrace"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, on the surface, the title refers to the fall from grace, which the main character David Lurie has recently experienced in his professional life as a college professor, who has been left with nothing, neither romance nor vocational recourse. The author points out that the book begins by Lurie resolving to attempt to completely segment sexuality from his human interrelations with people; however, he begins to feel affection for one of the prostitutes he has implicated in his solution, an act that foreshadows his involvement with his student and his subsequent falling from his position and status in South African society. The paper relates that the title's second level or resonance refers to Lurie's lesbian daughter Lucy, who has to some extent chosen her disgrace or marginalized status.

From the Paper:

"But merely because Lucy loves her work does not mean that she can avoid calamity. The issue of sexual disgrace again arises after the Lurie's daughter is raped, in a fashion that causes him to further call into question the issues of female sexuality and male protectiveness from a father's rather than a lover's point of view. Lurie realizes he was totally helpless to physically protect his daughter from sexual molestation. As a man and a father, he could not save Lucy from unwanted sexual danger, seemingly confirming what he sees as her apparent distrust and dislike of men."

More papers on J.M. Coetzee's "Disgrace":

• Book Review # 111888 : "Discourse and Power in J. M. Coetzee's "Disgrace"
• Book Review # 96425 : "Disgrace"--A Review"
• Analytical Essay # 60048 : "Disgrace"

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