Waiting for the Barbarians

Summary

The novel «Waiting for the Barbarians» by John Maxwell Coetzee tells the story of an unnamed magistrate who governs a small frontier town in an unspecified empire. The magistrate's life changes when Colonel Joll arrives in town with a mission to suppress a supposed threat from the barbarians. The colonel employs brutal interrogation and torture methods, which lead the magistrate to an internal conflict and doubts about the legitimacy of the empire's actions. The magistrate begins to sympathize with the barbarians and decides to help one of the torture victims, a young woman, by returning her to her people. His actions result in his arrest and accusation of treason. Ultimately, the magistrate realizes the futility of violence and cruelty, as well as the fragility of civilization in the face of barbarism, which, as it turns out, can also originate from the empire itself.

Main Ideas

• Colonialism and its consequences: an exploration of the impact of colonial power on the local population and nature.
• Moral ambiguity: an examination of the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, especially the protagonist, the magistrate.
• Dehumanization and violence: an analysis of how fear of the 'barbarians' leads to cruelty and inhumane treatment.
• Power and corruption: a critique of the abuse of power and the bureaucratic system that supports repressive regimes.
• Identity and otherness: an exploration of the theme of the 'other' and how fear of the unknown shapes social and personal relationships.

Historical Context and Significance

Published in 1980, John Maxwell Coetzee's novel «Waiting for the Barbarians» is a significant work in literature that explores themes of colonialism, power, and morality. The book serves as an allegory criticizing imperialist policies and the cruelty that often accompanies them. The story follows a magistrate who begins to question the legitimacy of his government's actions towards the so-called barbarians. The novel has had a substantial impact on cultural perceptions and reflections on issues of justice, humanism, and ethics in the context of oppression and violence. It also helped solidify Coetzee's reputation as one of the leading contemporary writers and a Nobel Prize laureate in Literature.

Main Characters and Their Development

• The Magistrate: the protagonist and narrator, who governs a small frontier town. Initially, he believes in the justice of the Empire but gradually begins to doubt its methods and moral principles. His attitude towards the barbarians and his own actions changes as he witnesses the Empire's cruelty and experiences torture himself.
• Colonel Joll: a representative of the Empire who arrives in town to investigate the supposed threat from the barbarians. He is cruel and ruthless, using torture to extract information. His methods and actions disgust the magistrate and become a catalyst for his internal conflict.
• The Barbarian Girl: a young woman captured by the Empire and subjected to torture. The magistrate takes her under his care and tries to help her recover. Through her suffering and interaction with her, the magistrate begins to realize the injustice and cruelty of the Empire.

Style and Technique

John Maxwell Coetzee's novel «Waiting for the Barbarians» is characterized by a minimalist and concise style that emphasizes an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension. The language of the work is simple yet rich in symbolism and metaphors, allowing for a deeper exploration of the characters' psychological states and the themes of power, violence, and morality. Coetzee employs techniques of internal monologue and stream of consciousness to convey the inner experiences of the protagonist, the Magistrate. The narrative structure is linear but enriched with flashbacks and reflections, creating a layered storytelling. The author also masterfully uses contrasts between civilization and barbarism to highlight the relativity of these concepts and provoke questions about the nature of human cruelty and justice.

Interesting Facts

• The book explores themes of colonialism, power, and morality through the lens of the relationship between the Empire and the barbarians.
• The protagonist, the Magistrate, symbolizes moral struggle and internal conflict, trying to maintain his humanity amidst cruelty and injustice.
• The work is inspired by Michel Foucault's essays on discipline and punishment, as well as the writings of Franz Kafka.
• The title of the book refers to the poem «Waiting for the Barbarians» by Constantine Cavafy, which also explores the theme of fear of the unknown.
• The book was adapted into a film of the same name in 2019, starring Mark Rylance, Johnny Depp, and Robert Pattinson.

Book Review

John Maxwell Coetzee's «Waiting for the Barbarians» is a powerful and profound work that explores themes of colonialism, power, and morality. Critics note that Coetzee masterfully creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, immersing the reader in a world where the boundaries between civilization and barbarism are blurred. The protagonist, the magistrate, becomes a symbol of internal struggle and moral awakening, making him a complex and multi-layered character. Critics also emphasize that Coetzee's language and style are concise yet rich, giving the narrative a particular strength and emotional depth. Overall, the book has received high praise for its philosophical depth and relevance, remaining an important work in the context of discussions on human nature and social justice.