Thesis Statement for Literary Essay

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Analysis of Petrus

When looking at the novel, I chose to do an analysis of the minor character Petrus. Petrus is an interesting character and his progress throughout the novel shows how one can change from a position of inferiority to superiority. Petrus is used to show how the constructed ideology of white superiority could change. Petrus begins by being a servant and ends up marrying Lucy as a third wife and owning her farming land. The theme of changing of racial positions is clearly seen through the story of Petrus despite him being a minor character in the novel. Petrus is a hard worker and the narrator describes him as the dog man and a gardener. He is described as an assistant to Lucy doing the hard work of working in the garden and looking after dogs. It is his hard work that enabled him to own a small part of Lucy’s land. Petrus at the same time shows the loyalty one should have towards family. He has a wife in Adelaide and even though its far he usually goes off to see her there. Petrus is also seen as a good neighbor where he helps Lucy in selling the plantation products and getting the market garden on its feet. He is also dependable as the narrator says “but she owes him a lot. Petrus is a good old chap and you can depend on him” (p. 140).

References

Coetzee, J. M. (1999). Disgrace. London, England: Secker & Warburg.