Psychological/Psychoanalytic Theory.
Read: Disgrace: Chapters 1-7 write 450 words: Using one of the following critical theories: Postcolonial Theory Psychological/Psychoanalytic Theory Feminist Criticism/Gender Theory Provide a brief analysis of how the beginning of Disgrace might be understood. Why does Coetzee begin his novel in this way? You can discuss the how the relationship with Melanie begins and ends or the hearing and his response. Make sure to discuss how the beginning impacts your understanding of the characters and the story thus far. Bring in specific textual evidence to support your ideas. (NO research, NO outside resources) Here are a few ways to think about the beginning of the novel in relationship to theory: Post colonial theory would help to explain why David feels empowered to push himself on Melanie; David has the power and Melanie and Soraya are in a position of subjection. Psychological theory helps to explain why David responds to the hearing the way he does; this theory also can be used to explain the mental/emotional characteristics of this man. Feminist Criticism/gender theory helps to explain why the women in the novel respond to David the way they do,and why David has the attitude he does towards women.