Aggressor and Victim: Main characters and their psychological development in J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace

This thesis aims to analyze characters of Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee from a psychological point of view, suggest possible motives and interpretations of their behaviour as well as to discuss their development, and analyze the environment they are set in. First, the thesis focuses on providing theoretical background of the novel and its author, as well as on a brief introduction to the historical development of the Republic of South Africa in which the plot of Disgrace is set. The theoretical part also defines terms relevant to the practical part, such as rape, corrective rape, and sexual violence, and provides a brief psychological typology of its victims and perpetrators. The practical part is focused on a psychological analysis of the main characters, David and Lucy, as well as an analysis of Melanie, Petrus, and Pollux. Using the theoretical background, the thesis explores their psychological development, and the reasons behind their behaviour, and further discusses, whether they could be considered victims or perpetrators of sexual violence. KEYWORDS Coetzee, Disgrace, South Africa, psychological development of characters, sexual violenc