Critical analysis essay over Disgrace by JM Coetzee
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Module
Engels
Level
VWO / Gymnasium
Book
Disgrace (A-Format)
A very extensive analysis essay at VWO level that expands the book Disgrace by Coetzee and puts it in context by linking with the characters in the book, the writer and the society described.
Critical analysis essay over Disgrace by JM Coetzee
Critical analysis essay over Disgrace by JM Coetzee
Critical analysis essay over Disgrace by JM Coetzee
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VWO / Gymnasium
Engels
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Embracing Empathy
In Disgrace David Lurie is a professor at an university in Cape Town who, after being
caught having an affair with one of his students, moves in with his daughter who lives
in rural South Africa. Here he and his daughter are robbed and his daughter, Lucy, is
raped. This essay will discuss how Lurie begins to grow more empathetic after the
rape of his daughter. Starting with his relationship with Melanie, then looking at how
his daughter’s rape affects him and finally looking at how he ends up.
While having an affair with Melanie, Lurie displays a lack of empathy. Not only does
he disregard her feelings despite acknowledging them, he also does not see the
problem with their relationship. This is evident when he visits her apartment:
‘Aren’t you going to invite me in?’
‘I Think my flatmate is home.’
‘What about this evening?’
‘I’ve got a rehearsal this evening.’
‘Then when do I see you again?’
She does not answer. (20)
Here, Melanie clearly shows discomfort with the situation, but Lurie insists multiple
times. He also forces himself upon her: ”He has given her no warning; she is too
surprised to resist the intruder who forces himself upon her. [...] ’No, not now’ she
says, struggling. ‘My cousin will be back!’ But nothing will stop him.” (24-25) He
physically forces himself upon Melanie. Even after she tells him to stop he continues.
In doing so he shows no regard for her feelings and abuses her despite being aware
of that his advances are undesired: “Not rape, not quite that, but undesired
nevertheless, undesired to the core”(25) In all these situations Melanie shows
discomfort with Lurie or even outright tells him to stop. Yet in all these situations Lurie
shows no regard and outright ignores these signs. By ignoring her discomfort he
sexually abuses her. Lurie, on the other hand, does not see it that way:
`Very well. I took advantage of my position vis-a-vis Ms Isaacs. It was wrong,
and I regret it. Is that good enough for you?' `The question is not whether it is
good enough for me, Professor Lurie, the question is whether it is good
enough for you. Does it reflect your sincere feelings?' He shakes his head. 'I
have said the words for you, now you want more, you want me to demonstrate
their sincerity. That is preposterous. (54-55)
Although he states that he took advantage of his position he does so only because
that is what he thinks the inquiry wants to hear. Since Lurie thinks having to
demonstrate his sincerity is preposterous. Lurie does not think he abused his
position, he does not think he abused Melanie.
After Lucy is raped, Lurie begins to grow more empathetic. After knowing that his
daughter was sexually abused and raped he starts to reflect on what happened to
Melanie. He sees the similarities between what the rapists did to his daughter and
what he did to Melanie and starts to reconsider his previous positions. This becomes
apparent when he thinks:
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