Response to the novel Disgrace

Response to the Novel Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee
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Response to the Novel Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee
After reading the novel Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee, my first reaction was feeling unsatisfied in the way the author develops the main character, David Lurie. In typical western novels, the hero is well developed and portrayed to possess strong and desirable traits. The hero stands up for something, and overcomes many adversaries to achieve their ambitions. When they fail to achieve their mission, it is because they are fighting against stronger forces. In this regard, it is unusual for a novel that the author has as the hero, an ordinary character who fails to make significant impact.
Heroes are usually individuals with desirable character traits. However, Coetzee portrays a major character whose traits make him more of a villain than a hero. His disgraceful character in forcibly trying to seduce his student is the inspiration of the novel’s title. The disgrace is not just in the nature of the act, but stems from the fact that he is teaching his students romantic literature, which is a celebration of individual freedom. His attempt to forcibly seduce his student contradicts the values of the romantic philosophy he represents through his teaching. Alternatively, his action may be seen as an expression of his feelings in accordance to the ideals of romanticism. However, the fact that this expression limits the fre...