Coetzee Disgraceful?

The New York Times article accusing Coetzee of being a racist is ridiculous, especially in instance of his work Disgrace. For throughout the novel even with a protagonist such as Laurie, there is an ever-present sense of Coetzee attempting to illustrate the aftermath of a postcolonial rule. Whether one would consider his lack of creating an African character as racism I fear what one would say if he were to. There is then the notion that by Coetzee moving to Australia in some way is interpreted as him “selling out”. For if that seems as relevant as if one were to move to Kansas they’d be considered a Kansan. This all surmises to the idea that an author must adhere to every group when he or she writes a novel.

Although one must agree an author has much to consider in the works they write, there must be the distinguishing factor that the work is there creation. Whether their views may be contrary to ones own doesn’t mean they’re wrong or should be accused of being racist. For there are meanings held in an authors work, that as we have seen while reading Disgrace, carry diverse perceptions which resonate with different people.