Ovidiu Ivancu

Critical Minds at Work. Deconstructing “Waiting for the Barbarians”, by J.M Coetzee

Critical Minds at Work. Deconstructing “Waiting for the Barbarians”, by J.M Coetzee

Ovidiu Ivancu

Vilnius University

Lithuania

ovidiu.ivancu @flf.vu.lt

Abstract

In the realm of contemporary literature, J.M. Coetzee's "Waiting for the Barbarians" emerges as a profoundly symbolic work, engaging with pertinent themes such as power dynamics, identity formation, and the perils associated with authoritarian rule. This present study endeavours to undertake a comprehensive deconstruction of Coetzee's magnum opus, employing a diverse array of critical methodologies to meticulously unravel its intricate layers.

The investigation will explore various dimensions of "Waiting for the Barbarians," scrutinizing its treatment of themes encompassing colonialism, imperialism, and the interplay between oppression and resistance. Through close readings, comparative analyses, and interdisciplinary perspectives, the study aims to interrogate the novel's depiction of the Other, the construction of identities, and the nuanced considerations of culpability and coercion.

By scrutinizing the narrative strategies, character dynamics, and socio-political contexts within "Waiting for the Barbarians," the study seeks to elucidate its significance within the broader spectrum of postcolonial literature and contemporary intellectual discourse.

Central to this inquiry lies the examination of colonial hegemony and its repercussions on both the colonizer and the colonized. By dismantling the dichotomies inherent within the colonial narrative – namely, those of ‘self’ and ‘other’ – the study unveils the intricate interplay of dominance and subjugation, agency and resistance. Additionally, the exploration of the Magistrate’s existential odyssey serves as a focal point for comprehending the existentialist currents permeating the novel, as he grapples with existential inquiries surrounding meaning, truth, and individual responsibility amidst societal injustices.

Drawing upon an array of literary theories and philosophical frameworks, the paper analyzes the strata of meaning embedded within the text. Through an exhaustive examination of characters, themes, and narrative techniques, we aim to unearth the latent messages about power dynamics, identity formation, and moral considerations within "Waiting for the Barbarians."

Keywords: postcolonialism, identity, literature, Coetzee, deconstructionism

References

1. Coetzee, J. M. (2004). Waiting for the barbarians. Vintage.
2. Lochner, L. (2016). Power and the Subject in J. M. Coetzee’s Waiting for the Barbarians. A Review of International English Literature 47(4), 103-134.
3. DelConte, M. (2007). A Further Study of Present Tense Narration: The Absentee Narratee and Four-Wall Present Tense in Coetzee'sWaiting for the Barbarians and Disgrace. Journal of Narrative Theory 37(3), 427-446.

Biodata

OVIDIU IVANCU is a PhD holder at the University of Alba Iulia, Romania, The Faculty of History and Philology. The PhD thesis (published in 2013) has the title: Cultural Identity and Collective Romanian Mentality in Post-Communism: Images, Myths, Perceptions, Repositions. Between 2009-2013, he was Visiting Lecturer at Delhi University, New Delhi, India, teaching Romanian Language and Literature. Between 2017 and 2018, he was a Visiting Lecturer at the State University of Comrat (Republic of Moldova). He teaches Romanian Language and Culture and English for Academic Purposes and Research at Vilnius University (Lithuania). He has published numerous articles on the Romanian imaginary and collective mentality. He has also published articles in different collective volumes, which are in Central and Eastern European Online Library.”. Ovidiu Ivancu’s scientific interests are imagology, the theory of mentalities, literary theory, literary criticism, and history of literature.