We must cultivate, all of us, a certain ignorance, a certain blindness, or society will not be tolerable

We must cultivate, all of us, a certain ignorance, a certain blindness, or society will not be tolerable

In the context of J.M. Coetzee's works, the idea of cultivating a certain ignorance or blindness in order to make society tolerable is a recurring theme. Coetzee's novels often explore the complexities of human nature and the ways in which individuals navigate the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise in society. In many of his works, characters are faced with difficult choices and must grapple with their own ignorance or blindness in order to make sense of the world around them.

One of Coetzee's most famous novels, "Disgrace," delves into the idea of ignorance and blindness in the context of post-apartheid South Africa. The protagonist, David Lurie, is a white professor who is forced to confront his own privilege and prejudices in the wake of a scandal that rocks his life. Throughout the novel, Lurie struggles to come to terms with his own ignorance and blindness to the suffering of others, particularly the black South Africans who have been marginalized and oppressed by the legacy of apartheid.