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Article published In:
English Text Construction
Vol. 12:1 (2019) ► pp.1–28

Closure in J. M. Coetzee’s Disgrace

A cognitive approach

| University of Isfahan
| University of Isfahan
| University of Isfahan

This article explores the politics of J. M. Coetzee’s writing style in Disgrace. Drawing on Marie-Laure Ryan’s theory of textual universe and Barbara Dancygier’s narrative space construction strategies, we argue that Coetzee’s narrative is set up to expose David Lurie’s deliberately distorted self-representation. Indeed, the conflict between the protagonist’s private worlds and the textual actual world (TAW) results from the protagonist’s distorting of the TAW by his deliberately distorted self-representation clouding his judgment and, accordingly, his so-called knowledge worlds (K-worlds). Also discussed is the process through which the protagonist is brought to a reckoning – not grace – through ontological re-orientation by undergoing a three-step process of social stigmatization, recognizing his vulnerability and situatedness, and coming to terms with his actual environment (TAW).

Keywords: Barbara Dancygier, cognition, J. M. Coetzee’s Disgrace , Marie-Laure Ryan, narrative spaces, textual actual world (TAW)
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Narrative (space) construction and the textual universe
  • 3.David Lurie’s (cognitive) quest within the TAW of Disgrace
    • 3.1Disequilibrium and conflict
    • 3.2Social disciplining and stigmatization
    • 3.3The reckoning
  • 4.Conclusion
  • References
Published online: 27 May 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/etc.00016.dib
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