Q&A -JK

1. What questions does Coetzee raise about truth and history?

There are numerous times during which the idea of what is happening in the novel will never be remembered by those later on, that it is not important enough to be considered part of history. What has to happen for something to be seen as important? Does this fit into the notion that “the winners write history”?

2. How do the ruins and lost language come into play in the novel? Is there any relationship to the presence of the ruins and the idea we have discussed as time as both a linear and cyclical path?

I see it as a way that we idealize the past; once it is gone we place value on it. The ruins are considered interesting yet the Magistrate knows that they are killing people who could have been linked to those who created the buildings. The blind girls native language is not mentioned until she is about to leave forever.  The ruins are a part of the past that could be cherished but is being used as punishment.

3. What is the purpose of failing to name most characters or places, or even the time period, in this novel?

Without the names the occurrences within the book can be placed in different places, throughout different times, for the violence and destruction of populations has occurred worldwide. The vagueness makes it easier to input the readers’ knowledge of such actions.

4. What can be said of the two relationships that the narrator is juggling in the first half of the novel?

The Magistrate was trying to connect with the barbarian girl and the Colonel. With the two relationships negating each other he is not able to fully connect with either.

5. The Magistrate begins the book discussing how content he is with his life, and slowly begins more and more unhappy. Why does this occur?

The discussions on his content nature did not seem to be laid on a strong foundation. The Magistrate continually wished that he could be left alone, but it seems as if that has not been the case for a while. Change has been coming and his distaste is (at least at first) not in the horrors occurring but the fact that he has to be involved, it is as if he knows ignorance is bliss but is too far involved to be able to commit to such a life.