Disgrace
J.M. Coetzee
By: Mike Swan
Purpose
• The gist of Disgrace is to show that no matter
what obstacles we meet (racial, sexual,
relational) life will continue.
• Although the world is constantly changing (in
areas such as: race, animal treatment, family
relations, and reputations) knowledge and love
can help us overcome.
• Death is an imminent and constant part of life
that we should be aware of in our daily life.
Themes of Disgrace
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Sexuality
Race
Rape
Justice
Animal Treatment
Family Relations
Reputations
Knowledge
Quote 1 For Themes
• “They came to do something else as
well…after they did what they did, you
cannot expect Lucy to go on with her life
as before.” (119) –Rape
• David talking to Petrus about what the
men did to Lucy.
Quote 2 for Themes
• “He is convinced the dogs know their time
has come…they flatten their ears, they
droop their tails, as if they too feel the
disgrace of dying.” (143) –Animal
Treatment
• Although David never had much love for
animals, working at the clinic helps him
show more compassion.
Quote 3 for Themes
• “Helen is a large, sad-looking woman… he
has never been able to understand what
Lucy sees in her; privately he wishes Lucy
would find, or be found by, someone
better.” (60) –Sexuality
• It is inferred that Lucy is a lesbian
considering Helen and her lived together
so long.
Quote 4 for Themes
• “I cannot be a child for ever. You cannot be
a father fore ever. I know you mean well,
but you are not the guide I need, not at
this time.” (161) –Family Relations
• David and Lucy’s relationship is not typical
of a father and daughter; however, it
shows their unique relationship.
Quote 5 for Themes
• “Your inquiry, your inquest, whatever you
call it. I heard you didn’t perform well.”
(188) –Reputations
• David’s reputation is ruined after the affair
with Melanie, but he doesn’t seem to care
and still feels fine with himself.
Recommendation
• The audience for Disgrace are most likely
older, mature people who are dealing with
life’s obstacles personally.
• The style of Disgrace is very dark, frank
narrative prose work, mainly in first person
• I would give the book three stars out of
five stars
J.M. Coetzee
• Born 1940 in Cape Town
• Served in WWII for
South Africa in Italy
• Won Booker Prize- 1999
• Won Nobel Prize in
Literature- 2003
• Began fiction in 1969
• Taught in U.S. frequently
• Emigrated to Australia in
2003
Personal Connection
• I felt a connection to how Lucy remains on
her farm is like when I remained in
Santiago.
• We both went some bad times, which was
enough reason to pick up and start over
again
• However we stayed our course and didn’t
let anything bring us down
Thank You
..I hope you enjoyed my report..