There seemed nothing to do but live

There seemed nothing to do but live

In the works of acclaimed South African author J.M. Coetzee, the theme of existential despair and the struggle to find meaning in a seemingly indifferent world is a recurring motif. One of the most poignant expressions of this theme can be found in the line, "There seemed nothing to do but live." This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the essence of the human condition as portrayed in Coetzee's novels, where characters are often confronted with the futility of their existence and the inevitability of their mortality.

In Coetzee's novel "Disgrace," the protagonist David Lurie grapples with the consequences of his own actions and the harsh realities of life in post-apartheid South Africa. As he navigates the complexities of race, power, and privilege, Lurie is forced to confront his own sense of entitlement and the limitations of his own agency. In the face of overwhelming adversity, Lurie is left with no choice but to accept the harsh truths of his existence and find a way to continue living, despite the pain and suffering that surrounds him.

Similarly, in "Waiting for the Barbarians," the unnamed magistrate is confronted with the brutality of colonialism and the dehumanizing effects of power and oppression. As he witnesses the atrocities committed in the name of empire, the magistrate is forced to confront his own complicity in the violence and injustice that surrounds him. Despite his best efforts to resist the forces of oppression, the magistrate ultimately realizes that there is nothing he can do to change the course of history. All he can do is live with the knowledge of his own moral failings and try to find some semblance of meaning in a world that seems devoid of justice and compassion.