Disgrace

Disgrace:J.M. Coetzee Synopsis of the text:  ·  As the name of the novel suggested, “disgrace” is about a man falls from his grace, his dignity, and lose virtually everything. ·  David Lurie, a twice-divorced, 52-year-old white professor of communication in Cape Town, leads a life with high states in the community. He initially has his life balance between work and sex that he visits a prostitute every Tuesday afternoon apart from his work.  ·  The prostitute becomes estranged from him after he saw her with her own kids at a public occasion. His love (or probably lust) towards the opposite sex is enlarged and directed towards women in general after that.  ·  David seduces a 20-year-old girl, Melanie, a student in his class, who is neither quite willing nor unwilling to have sex with him. They keep their relationship in secret for a period of time before the girl is asked to make up for the test she missed.  ·  During their relationship, for all those classes and tests Melanie skipped, David still gives her grading and keeps her at school. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Eventually, Melanie tells her boyfriend and family. Together, they make a complaint to the university, which David does not defend for himself. He leaves his job and his town for his daughter’s smallholding in Eastern Cape, where he helps with Petrus, a black farmer living next door to her. He also helps at a local animal clinic for disposing animals’ body parts. Since then, he builds a connection with dogs. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">He has left his daughter, Lucy on her own since she was small and Lucy is a lesbian when he meets her again. He has sex with the middle-aged unattractive woman working in the clinic. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">While he is at home one afternoon, he cannot protect Lucy being gang-raped by three local black people. He is hurt badly, their dogs are killed and she gets pregnant afterwards. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The rape seems to be a plot by a black farmer, Petrus. Lucy considers the rape as the price for the white to stay in the black area and hence, agrees to become Petrus’ mistress, with her property given at the same time in return for protection from another attack. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Both David and Lucy lose their dignity and grace. They consider themselves living “like a dog” towards the end of the story. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">At the end of the story, David puts a dog to death in his own hands, which is almost symbolic as giving up his remaining dignity as a human being. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">


 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">a) In what grade level/course I would teach this text? Other courses for which it might also be appropriate: **

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Canada: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">ENG3/4U: Grade 11/12 University Preparation <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';"> <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">ENG3/4C: Grade 11/12 College Preparation <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Hong Kong: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Secondary 6 or 7 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">It is selected for senior students because some of the issues presented are thought-provoking that they need mature students to comprehend and discuss. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> Reading: 1. Reading for Meaning <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">1.3 Demonstrating Understanding of Content: identify the important ideas and support details in both simple and complex texts (e.g. what is the disgrace to David? Do you think it is also a story of Lucy's disgrace?) <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">1.5 Extending Understanding of Texts: extend understanding of both simple and complex texts by making connections between the ideas in them and personal knowledge, experience, and insights; and the world around them. (e.g. the concept of grace Vs. dignity Vs. any achievements/ accomplishments they have made in their teenage life) <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">1.6 Analyzing Texts: analyze texts in terms of the information, ideas, issues, or themes they explore, examining how various aspects of the texts contribute to the presentation or development of these elements. (e.g. what are the issues and choices that make David's disgrace? how does each one reveal David's "letting go" of his morality/dignity?) <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';">

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Writing: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">2. Using Knowledge of Form and Style <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">2.1 Voice: establish an identifiable voice in their writing, modifying language and tone to suit the form, audience, and purpose for writing. <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';">


 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">b) Main ideas/issues/teaching points that I would emphasize when teaching the text: **

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Third person point of view, main character David Lurie, told in the present tense <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The intended audience is mature adolescents and adults as several issues in the book are relevant to today’s adolescent. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The text can be divided into three main stages that correspond to David’s complete loss of grace and dignity: While his is professor, reaching Eastern Cape, and after Lucy’s being raped. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Excellent use of metaphor and motifs: living as animals or humans with dignity? (e.g. the dog’s death Vs. David’s giving up of his remaining dignity) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Language is easy to understand which allows reading smoothly <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * __<span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Textual: __** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The sexual relationship between teacher and student: could that be out of pure love? or exploitation (because the student is immature to choose and respond for her own/ the student is using the teacher’s power to gain some personal advantages)? · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Country life might not be a therapy to the difficulties or the struggles one face but an ordeal · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Loss of social position because of immoral deed: having sex with students <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7.5pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Lack of love from father results growing masculinity for girls? (e.g. Lucy was left by her father long ago and she is a lesbian by the time David meets her again) · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Hidden conflicts and struggles between different racial groups <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Rape as a form of debt for being inferior to others in some society? (e.g. Lucy as a minority living in the black community) <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The sexual relationship between teacher and student: could that be out of pure love? or exploitation (because the student is immature to choose and respond for her own/ the student is using the teacher’s power to gain some personal advantages)? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * __<span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Social __****<span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">: ****<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> What knowledge of our own personal experience and our society does this text elicit/explain/describe? **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;">

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What is dignity of an individual among a group?/ How do you consider it? · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Black and white conflicts (e.g. for land? for social inequalities?) à <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> both groups also exist in HK / Canada, how do we keep peace between them? What are the determining cultural factors? · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">A turn of consequence? (e.g. David exploits and violates other people’s daughter and so does his own girl later on as a rape victim?) <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif';"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Hypocrisy existed among people? (e.g. the initial between Petrus and Lucy Vs. the later rape plot) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * __<span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Cultural: __****<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> What questions can we ask and discover about our culture through reading this text? **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Responsibility: how one lives is all up to him/herself (with dignity or not? ß <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> you can choose the way to live!! You can leave at any point/ views and attitudes towards life?) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Teenage struggles o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Reflected from Melanie: fancy with teachers as a romantic partner?/ the love between the young and the old/ study pressure/ balance between ECA (i.e. the play she involved) and academic life/ family expectations upon one’s study o <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Reflected from Lucy: identity struggle (turning into lesbian à <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> homosexuality as a retreat from reality? / being a minority à <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> the position as a white to live in a black community?) · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Briefly touches on views of accidental pregnancy due to a rape: the pain of the girl’s trauma or the way to keep her move on to a new page in her life? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * __<span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Topic: __****<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> What topics does this text introduce, explain or inform us about? **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Content : Seduction, inappropriate teacher-and-student sex relationship, lesbian, violence, rape, emotional and psychological abuse, gender and racial inequalities (or conflicts), loss of dignity · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Readers’ response: May cause some to feel uncomfortable • The content may be racist and I would have to explain before teaching that it might reflect the community in the post-apartheid South Africa, but what happens in the text does not mean I am posting my views on black and white in general. Rather, it is advantageous for students to understand there might be such racial conflicts existed between groups, and hence, to understand differences and how to keep the groups live harmoniously in future are the genuine main focus. This is somehow related to Canada as it is a place with multi-cultural people and a colonial background. It is also related to Hong Kong educational setting as we also have students of different ethnic groups studying in the same class in some schools. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Language is too descriptive and direct about sex and violence. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Animals (dogs) are used as motifs for people in disgrace along the development of the story, which might perhaps, I am not sure, offend some groups which favor dogs <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Issues such as inappropriate sexual relationship with teacher, sexual assault, racial conflicts, apartheid in post-colonial South Africa: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">-The story may be a bit irritating for students who could have first-hand experiences related to the above issues, e.g. having a romantic relationship with teachers, homosexual orientation. They may feel uncomfortable about reading this novel. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">c) Issues/Challenges I might encounter in teaching the text: **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">


 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">d) two possible assignments/ instructional activities I could use when teaching the text: **

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Reading: 1. Reading for Meaning <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">1.6 Analyzing Texts: analyze texts in terms of the information, ideas, issues, or themes they explore, examining how various aspects of the texts contribute to the presentation or development of these elements. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">1) Journal: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> Have students create journals placing themselves as the characters, either being David and explain what he feels after being discovered his secret relationship with a student, or Melanie and explain what she thinks for having such an inappropriate relationship with David.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">- **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> Allows them to further emotional connect to the story by empathizing with the character


 * <span style="font-family: '新細明體','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">2) Essay compare and contrast (with TPS as scaffold): **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> Around five page paper compare and contrast the dignity present in this book in terms of racial difference and living as “animals or humans”, or compare for the views of “life in Eastern Cape” from the perspective of Lucy and Petrus.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">- **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> Allows students to develop argumentative writing skills, organizational skills and allows them to understand the positions of characters as well as develop rational reasoning