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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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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