Vocabulary in Disgrace

A private, agreed-upon deal between two people — here, a paid, regular sexual arrangement with an escort — kept separate from ordinary social life and governed by unspoken rules.

An abundance of good things generously given or brought into the world; here used to describe a woman's beauty as a gift she offers to everyone around her, not just herself.

In a polite, respectful, and considerate manner; treated with proper social courtesy rather than coldness or contempt.

Completely controlled or overpowered by a force or feeling one cannot resist or fully explain; unable to break free from an urge or compulsion.

To turn away from something deliberately, especially the face, eyes, or lips, as a way of withdrawing or refusing contact without physically resisting.

Not wanted or welcomed by the person it is happening to; here describing a sexual act that the woman did not consent to or wish for.

Changed in attitude or behaviour to meet an approved moral standard, especially after wrongdoing; here used to mean being made to genuinely repent and alter one's character under institutional pressure.

Guided through formal advice or therapy toward a corrected attitude; here used to mean being subjected to institutional guidance aimed at producing remorse and behavioural change.

To formally admit in a legal or quasi-legal proceeding that one committed the act one is accused of; here David admits the facts of the charges against him without offering excuses.

In a normal, rational, self-controlled state of thinking; the phrase is used here to claim temporary loss of rational control as a partial explanation for one's actions.

In full control of one's own thoughts, will, and actions; here used to describe a state of being overtaken by desire so strong that normal self-command was lost.

A small piece of agricultural land, larger than a garden but smaller than a full farm, used for growing crops or keeping animals, often run by one family.

An old South African phrase for a Black male servant or farm worker who is subordinate to and dependent on a white employer; Coetzee uses it to mark the phrase as outdated and racially loaded.

A person hired to do manual labour on a farm, typically in a low-status, wage-earning role with no ownership or partnership stake in the land.

Someone who works alongside another as a rough equal, sharing tasks; here used to signal that Petrus's relationship to Lucy is not one of servant to master.

A person who does unskilled or semi-skilled physical work for wages, with no ownership or authority over the land or enterprise they work on.

A figure from mythology whose role is to guide the souls of the dead to the afterlife; here applied darkly and ironically to David's role escorting dead dogs to the incinerator.

A person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or disposal and manage funeral arrangements; here used metaphorically for David's role disposing of euthanised dogs.

Deeply embarrassing and degrading, causing a painful loss of dignity or self-respect; here Lucy uses it to describe the position of powerlessness and dependence she is accepting.

The very bottom; the most basic, stripped-down starting point with no status, advantages, or prior achievements to rely on — starting over with absolutely nothing.

To deliberately and humanely end an animal's life, usually by injection, to prevent suffering; the standard clinical term used at the animal welfare clinic throughout the novel.

A small farm or plot of land where vegetables, fruit, or flowers are grown commercially to be sold at local markets rather than for personal use.

A facility or set of enclosures where dogs are housed, bred, or boarded; here the commercial dog-boarding operation Lucy runs on her smallholding.

The organised care and protection of animals from suffering, cruelty, or neglect; here referring to the clinic where unwanted or sick animals are treated and, when necessary, put down.

The long accumulation of racial injustice and oppression — specifically South Africa's history of apartheid and colonial violence — that is seen as the deeper cause behind present acts of violence.