Relationship With Various Women In Disgrace By J. M Coetzee

In the novel Disgrace, written by J.M Coetzee it is evident that the relationships David has with the various women reflects his lack of self-knowledge and views on life. Lucy as the dominant woman throughout the novel has an impact on David’s perception and the way he portrays life to be, and by adapting to her lifestyle experiences change himself. Melanie, Soraya, and Bev to an extent contribute to David’s lack of self-knowledge, that he cannot do without having sex and expecting more after. Tersa has a symbolic meaning in David’s life and comes to a realisation that he might be filling a void. Each woman has a role to play in David’s realisation of himself and how he approaches specific things.
Within the first few chapters of disgrace it becomes transparent that David is a self-absorbed person who is stuck in his ways, and feels that he does not have to change for anyone or anything. “I am not prepared to be reformed. I want to go on being myself”. however various events take place which permits David to become aware of the person he is. Once David surrounds himself with Lucy and starts adapting to her lifestyle, he acknowledges
Melanie, Soraya, and Bev Shaw complement to David’s active sex life. When David sleeps with these women he feels that a certain connection would spark between them. However, in the beginning Soraya sleeps with David because she gets paid to. Melanie has sex with him because she feels as if she needs to whereas Bev Shaw feels as if she wants to have sex with David. But with all these women nothing seems to be in David’s Favor. As if it’s a distraction to keep his mind of all the seriousness. Which links in with Tersa. David realizes that he was never Bryon! That he was Tersa all along, trying to fill a void in his life. And stands more as a symbol in his life, looking for something that is lost, gone ……DEAD! The love will not find searching for Bryon. Looking for love in places that will only flush it