Chapter review of 'The Narrative of Jacobus Coetzee' in J. M. Coetzee's "Dusklands"

J. M. Coetzee’s Dusklands is an antagonising interaction with the violence of colonialism, and later with imperialism. The novel which deals with two very different protagonist and stories still has an unnatural ability to draw in the reader, make them uncomfortable and still enthrals them enough to keep them reading. This review focuses on, “The Narrative of Jacobus Coetzee”, the second novella of the book which focuses on the ever “charming” Jacobus and his exploits.

At first glance, the story of Jacobus is a simple one that follows the story of a man trekking up north in southern Africa with his Korana slaves in order to hunt elephants in Namaqualand. The story is solely depicted through the perspective of Jacobus, with his description of events, being all that the reader is presented with. This particular form of narration allows for Jacobus to no only relate the stories to the reader, but more importantly, it acts as a tool to show the discussions which he has with himself, which allows for interesting avenues into how the novella is read.

This form of narration allows for two very important things to happen: it gives the reader a very vivid account of Jacobus himself, and it makes the reader aware of the ‘other’, the individuals who are outside of Jacobus himself. These two occurrences in conjunction with one another, draws the reader in further and further, making them question and allowing them to be inquisitive about the story as they are constantly aware of Jacobus and his train of thought while also being blatantly aware of those around him, regardless of the fact that they are never given a voice of their own.

This is what makes the entire novel, and this particular novella, so alluring. It uses this unique narrative to take something as disgusting as Jacobus prodding a pus filled pimple in his buttocks or something as horrible as Jacobus committing genocide against a large group of people from Namaqua, and makes it so enticing to the point where you are unable to avert your gaze.

The novel is jarring, disgusting, discomforting and provocative but thoroughly engaging and enticing. The novel’s unique narrative and J. M. Coetzee’s gripping writing, successfully draws in the reader and requires the reader to question and grapple with various ideas brought forward on various levels within the story.

Works used

Coetzee, J. M. Dusklands. Great Britain: Vintage, 2004. Print.