Nirmala, S: Envisaging the World of the Other

The concept of Othering has had its existence in human history from time immemorial. The twenty first century still continues to witness it, manifested in the many forms of racism and violence.Coetzee,as a postcolonial writer has probed into the landscape of the Other. He presents a white conscientious view of colonialism and imperialism and records the voices of those occupying the margins as well as the centre. He writes extensively on violence, which is meted out to those who do not belong to a recognized group. His novels also explore the narrowing down of the idea of Otherness to South Africa, in the form of the racist laws that were formed during the time of the apartheid rule in South Africa.The theme of Othering and survival is extended to the nonhuman world too. Coetzee‘s writings are an investigation into power relations in various contexts. He promotes publicly an overall ethical,human and inner perspective of life. Coetzee‘s fiction crystallizes the feelings of the readers on the idea of Othering. He addresses truths that shock his readers on one hand and enlighten them on the other.