Superior The General Qualities of David Lurie
The way he thinks about Melanie Isaacs is the evidence showing his belief in his superiority. He thinks that the other person, like Melanie, does not have
enough capability to think deeply. It is clearly seen in the quotation taken from the novel.
Melanie would not have taken such a step by herself, he is convinced. She is too innocent for that, too ignorant of her power. He, the little man in the
ill-fitting suit, must be behind it, he and cousin Pauline, the plain one, the duenna. They must have talked her into it, worn her down, then in the end
marched her to the administration offices Coetzee, 1999: 39.
He even counts the qualities that Melanie has are below the people around her. It
shows how he sees himself and how he sees other people. He is sure that Melanie is weak and inferior.
From the eyes of David Lurie, his daughter is not capable to choose the ‘right’ significant other for her. He does not really know how the way of thinking
of his daughter is, realising that there is also his blood in her, the superior blood. “ He has never been able to understand what Lucy sees in her; privately he wishes
Lucy would find, or be found by, someone better “Coetzee, 1999: 60. David secretly questions the ability of his daughter in this case. He is not sure that Lucy
has the quality of superior. However, his opinion towards Lucy’s lover indicates his superiority towards her.
The fact in the story states that David Lurie does not like his daughter’s friends. He feels that they are all inferior and he assumes that Lucy cannot choose
good friends for herself. It can be seen when he thinks about a friend of his daughter.
He has not taken to Bev Shaw, a dumpy, bustling little woman with black freckles, close-cropped, wiry hair, and no neck. He does not like women
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who make no effort to be attractive. It is a resistance he has had to Lucy’s friends before. Nothing to be proud of: a prejudice that has settled in his
mind, settled down Coetzee, 1999: 72.
The way he judges a person by her cover is the manifestation of superior feeling he has. The ugly appearance of his daughter’s friend is the only reason to
strengthen his belief. In the small conversation between David Lurie and Petrus quoted, it is
immediately seen how David’s way of thinking is. Moreover, it can be the clue guiding to the fact of what kind of person David is.
He is left with Petrus. ‘You look after the dogs,’ he says, to break the silence. ‘I look after the dogs and I work in the garden. Yes.’ Petrus gives
a broad smile. ‘I am the gardener and the dog-man.’ He reflects for a moment. ‘ The dog-man, ‘ he repeats, savouring the phrase Coetzee,
1999: 64.
The quotation above gives the impression that David is happy because Petrus indirectly notes his inferiority. It seems that Petrus glorifies the superior feeling of
David. Being the person who has a responsibility to take care of dogs is not a respectful duty in David’s view. Nevertheless, in his mind, it does not matter for
Petrus; he deserves to have duty like that because he is black people. He does not have to make Petrus understood his position in this case, Petrus already knows it.
He thinks that his personal belief telling that he is the superior creature, once again, is admitted.
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