In Disgrace, David Lurie wonders if English has become inadequate, “an unfit medium” to express complicated social interactions and cultural conflict. Yet, as we have seen, both Hamid in The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Coetzee in Disgrace seem to push English to its limits to create their characters’ stories and communicate sometimes opposing truths. Choose ONE of the two texts we have read, and write a well-organized 5 paragraph essay in which you discuss how the author uses three specific words, names or images to communicate complex meanings and help the reader understand the theme of the novel.
You may select from any of the words, names and images listed below, or select others. Remember images are pictures of words, and like words themselves, they may convey more than their literal meanings.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist OR Disgrace
Fundamentals Disgrace
Changez Desire
Bats Lucy
Jim’s Watch Petrus
Underwood Samson David Lurie
Firefly Pollux
Waiter Scapegoat
Oyster and pearl Dogs
Food Wordsworth, Byron or Blake
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