"The Bluest Eyes" - "Disgrace"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes, compares and contrasts Toni Morrison's novel, "The Bluest Eye" and J.M. Coetzee's novel, "Disgrace". The paper describes the approach to gender and race in each book and notes that, although they have fundamental differences, both Morrison and Coetzee contend that, despite political actions to create a "colorless, raceless, genderless" society, social stigmas are hard to eliminate.

From the Paper:

"Coetzee's novel "Disgraced" focuses on the life of David Lurie in post-apartheid South Africa. In the wake of political reforms that has changed the policies of the entire government, Coetzee attempts to show through his novel that racism and sexism are still as prevalent as ever. Lurie is castigated from society for his love of Byron Romanticism, and demonized as a sexual offender because of his illicit relationship with a much younger student. Ultimately, the plot surrounds the brutal rape of David's daughter Lucy, which results from the neglect of the rural community outside of Cape Town. The purpose of Coetzee's novel is to reveal the truth behind South African social lore, instead of the equality that is suppose to pertain to the post apartheid era, it is evident that without much structural support there is little political changes can make on social opinion and stigma. Ultimately the same sentiments that existed preceding the apartheid are still evident through this narrative. It is a story of dehumanization and indignity, with the focus on the fall of David Lurie's self-respect and a deeper understanding of social stigma."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye?"
• J. M. Coetzee's book "Disgrace"

More papers on "The Bluest Eyes" - "Disgrace":

• Book Review # 61187 : "The Bluest Eyes"
• Book Review # 3964 : "The Bluest Eyes"

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