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Language and Liberation: A Study of J.M. Coetzee's Postcolonial Writing
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Abstract
This paper explores postcolonialism in the works of J.M. Coetzee, analyzing his critique of imperial discourse, narrative multiculturalism, and the pursuit of individual liberation. As a South African author profoundly influenced by apartheid and multiculturalism, Coetzee's major works—Disgrace, Waiting for the Barbarians, and Life & Times of Michael K—illustrate the lingering trauma of colonial history and resist the authority of imperial discourse. Through an examination of Coetzee's writings, this study analyzes his critique of imperial centrism and proposes the possibility of reexamining human dignity and freedom within a postcolonial context. By approaching the interplay between discourse and power, this paper investigates how Coetzee deconstructs grand narratives and constructs pluralistic discourses to challenge authority. Through allegorical storytelling and classical rewritings, Coetzee blurs the boundaries between history and fiction, exposing the hypocrisy and oppression embedded in colonial history. Furthermore, Coetzee amplifies marginalized voices through polyphonic and multiperspectival narratives. His liberal ideology and diasporic aesthetics explore individual resistance in postcolonial societies. By decentralizing narratives and embracing multicultural perspectives, Coetzee rejects monolithic collective authority and advocates for true freedom beyond power systems. As a diasporic intellectual, Coetzee constructs globally conscious literary narratives that transcend racial and regional boundaries, offering significant insights into cultural diversity and human dignity within the context of globalization.
Keywords
Coetzee, Postcolonialism, Liberation
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Cite this article
Liu,Y. (2025). Language and Liberation: A Study of J.M. Coetzee's Postcolonial Writing. Communications in Humanities Research,62,156-162.
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Volume title: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Literature, Language, and Culture Development
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