authoritative one. However, it is clearly seen that David Lurie in his daily life continues to show his authority towards others even his own daughter. The
negative reaction towards his manner does not reduce the ‘bad’ way he treats others.
From the fact in the story that he asks Petrus to be the keeper of Lucy’s house without Lucy’s permission is indicated how authoritative David is. He does
not want to hear Lucy’s opinion about this. According to him; it is the good solution for Lucy. He does not really care with Lucy’s feeling Coetzee, 1999:
152-153. It seems that David does not take a lesson from what he and Lucy experienced before. He keeps on practicing his habit.
5. White
The pale-skinned race has its own position and meaning in the society. White means the powerful one in a particular society, but it can be different in
another society. Here, the character of David Lurie is depicted as a white person. “He is sitting in the front room, watching soccer on television. The score is nil-all;
neither team seems interested in winning. The commentary alternates between Sotho and Xhosa, languages of which he understands not a word “ Coetzee,
1999: 75. From this extract, it can be seen that David Lurie cannot speak the local language in which he lives. He just speaks the languages where he comes from,
“he speaks Italian, he speaks French, but Italian and French will not save him here in darkest Africa” Coetzee, 1999: 95. In addition, he masters English very well.
His ability in mastering English is not a doubtful fact. It is clearly seen how quick
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he thinks about the meaning of the word friend, “modern English friend from Old English freond, from Freon, to love” Coetzee, 1999: 102. Moreover, the
evidence that proves his ability in mastering those languages can be seen from the works of arts he produces. In this way, his works of arts strengthen his identity as
white people as well. The condition and situation that he deals with do not influence him. He is still a white person who has his own understanding about life
and its aspects. From the conversation between Lucy and David Lurie, it indicates who
they are and where they are now. “Stop it, David I don’t want to hear this talk of plagues and fires. I am not just trying to save my skin. If that is what you think,
you miss the point entirely”Coetzee, 1999: 112. This conversation does not only indicates that David and his daughter are white people, but also indicates that
there is a problem of being white at that time in Africa. The situation in Eastern Cape becomes unpredictable. It is dangerous for David and Lucy to live there
since they have experienced bad things.”…simply that we were the first white folk they met that day” Coetzee, 1999: 118.
6. Superior
David belives that he is better than other people around him. He thinks that he is the best because he has the qualities that only a few people have. It makes
him count himself superior. He does not care about the qualities that others have. He just sees things from his side.
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