Authorship and Authority in J.M. Coetzee’s Fictional Works

Abstract

This article intends to explore the themes of authorship and authority in J.M. Coetzee's fiction. It is argued that the motifs are not only allied but cumulatively shape the structural and thematic core of Coetzee's oeuvre – necessitating a full length study on the given topic. Coetzee’s work reflects a nuanced engagement with these issues. Existing scholarship has addressed these themes, however, sporadically, often focusing on individual works in isolated pattern. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding Coetzee’s persistent preoccupation in discoursing authorship and authority across his fictional works. It adopts an analytical framework to explore the feasibility, scope, and critical approaches necessary for a deeper analysis by highlighting the gaps existing in Coetzee scholarship as on date.