Sympathy And Reconciliation

J. M. Coetzee, the 2003 Nobel Literature winner, is a South African white writer, who pursues the right to freedom and explores the living conditions of human being through his writings. Disgrace is his first novel for South Africa in the post-apartheid period. The thesis is a thematic study of the novel in relation to the past and present of South Africa.South Africa had been dominated by the Apartheid system for over 40 years, during which period the whites were quite certain of their privilege over other races, while the hatred for them among other racial groups was passed down from one generation to the next. When a new party took the power and ended the apartheid, some social evils remained in new forms. In this thesis, rapes of young females are analyzed for the deep connotations, and the disgracing path of David Lurie leads to the criticisms for the patriarchal, racist and colonial system. However, the system is the tool for domination of others, signifying the evil and disgrace of human nature. Human nature is complicated, with the dark side resulting in tortures by desires (lust, revenge, desire for a higher life, etc.), and the bright sparks of human nature inducing peace, sympathy and reconciliation. It is exactly the case of South Africa, as the apartheid reflecting the evils of the whites, which are easily copied by the blacks for retaliation. The whites, who assert their citizenship in the post-apartheid society, can resort to understanding of the immediate situation and merge with the black majorities through valuing life and learned sympathy and prepared reconciliation.The thesis is composed of five parts. The introduction provides the framework of my reading of the novel, which is facilitated by researches on the background of South Africa and J. M. Coetzee. The South Africa after apartheid is still trapped in the social confrontation among the whites and blacks, which serves as the starting point for my thesis regarding sympathy and reconciliation as the possible way towards a solid rainbow country.The focus of Chapter One is learning sympathy. Even the trial of David's misconduct with a young student does not raise any sense of penitence in him, until his own daughter Lucy is gang raped by three blacks, which reminds David of his role of perpetrator under such oppression. As a way to defend his stubborn narcissism, Lurie is thinking of composing an opus on Byron's love, but later, he discovers the suffering females and indirectly the suffering of his own daughter. The discussion of sex and family is the final summary for the above-mentioned relationships. Without Lucy's suffering, sympathy may never grow in Lurie, let alone the consideration of responsibilities even for his sexual partners.The key of Chapter Two is about arrival of reconciliation. Lucy decides to stay despite humiliations; a number of abandoned dogs are relived by mercy killing; and aging Lurie finds meaning in securing the final dignity of dogs. Helplessly, Lurie goes back and forth between the urban and the country, seeing the real happenings and savoring the changed tones of acquaintances. At last, Lurie also decides to look after his daughter and the future baby for a new start in South Africa. This chapter emphasizes the forbearance, forgiveness and conciliation for the whites, which is a choice of hope.Chapter Three examines the path to grace. "Disgrace" here refers to "the shame" of the oppressing systems, of which apartheid is a part. The apartheid was abolished, which can be regarded as a overall political trend of human nature for kindness. The change of attitude to the surroundings is mostly decided by the recognition of the relationship between oneself and others. This is a process of learning to value others which is taught by Nature through suffering and death. The novel indicates the hope that with such knowledge, the future will gradually step out of the shadows of the oppressing systems.The conclusion is the wrap-up discussion. The issues leading to the controversy over Disgrace are intentionally left unanswered by Coetzee. Without prescribing abstract moral principles, the novel just offers minute descriptions of daily life in South Africa, leaving spacious room for our imagination and evaluation. This is a feature of post-colonial literature. However, the writer's warning can still be heard that sympathy and reconciliation would prove invaluable in South Africa's way to become a livable home both to the whites and non-whites.