Authorial Responsibility

Knowing that Coetzee’s novel “Disgrace” explored unresolved tensions of post apartheid order we begin to investigate that the author was accused of brutally representing the white people’s perception of post-apartheid black men. Coetzee was also accused of indicating that in cause of new government, the white man will lose his true worth of character and reputation in result of black dominance. In situations where there would be loss of the protection, property, and rights of the white citizen. This could be one end where someone would call Coetzee’s book racist.

It has been quoted that “In the novel “Disgrace” there is not one black person who is a real human being”.(NY Times) The reason is most according of their immoral behavior in events where rape, robbery, and battery take place in the novel. All acts under the category of crime. “He does not preach, he is not obvious, unlike most South African artists of his time he is not political and this may be a source of misreadings, over readings and misunderstandings. As a white writer who has written a novel through the eyes of a racist white male, he occupies a difficult position.” (chimurenga)

I don’t think that Coetzee is racist, reading his novel it appears more to me a report of witnessed events that occurred during post apartheid South Africa. There hasn’t seemed to be any backing up of David Lurie who appeared to be a roaming moron with a sexual passion that gets him into a lot of trouble and violating the University’s code of conduct. Lurie who is repected by Bill Shaw has even slept with his wife, Bev Shaw out of the blue without even thinking twice and then later catching a prostitute off the street. Has any of his mistakes enabled him to learn his lesson? Certainly the author didn’t state that just because Lurie is white, he is a good man.

The point I’am making is that Coetzee appears to be a referee who does not accuse blacks or whites, instead points out enough remarks throughout his novel the negative actions and advantages of the white and black people. If for example, Lurie was an innocent man who did his job without having sex with a student and later attacked by a black man for no reason, then some people would think Coetzee is racist but then again you cannot be so sure depending on the situation; “Many would agree that Coetzee is an accomplished writer. He skillfully confronts us with the core of his characters' anguish. He draws us, unsuspectingly, to forbidden places. He describes things as they are – no explanations, no judgements, and no outrage.” (chimurenga) Yet, an author’s responsibility is to be wary of any racial remarks he/she brings forth in their text.

Sources:

http://www.chimurenga.co.za/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=52

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/books/review/Donadio-t.html?ex=1355374800&en=6a867c1f36a378dc&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink