Disgrace

by

J. M. Coetzee

Ryan Character Analysis

A young man who is either Melanie’s boyfriend or ex-boyfriend. Regardless, he is deeply upset that Melanie has had sex with David—so upset that he appears in David’s office one evening and tells him to stay away from Melanie. Later, David finds that his car has been vandalized and is certain Ryan is the one responsible. Ryan’s menacing presence is the first indication that something will go wrong between David and Melanie, as it takes place not long before Melanie files a sexual harassment complaint against him.

Ryan Quotes in Disgrace

The Disgrace quotes below are all either spoken by Ryan or refer to Ryan. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Desire and Power Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4 Quotes

Note that we are not asked to condemn this being with the mad heart, this being with whom there is some­ thing constitutionally wrong. On the contrary, we are invited to understand and sympathize. But there is a limit to sympa­thy. For though he lives among us, he is not one of us. He is ex­actly what he calls himself: a thing, that is, a monster. Finally, Byron will suggest, it will not be possible to love him, not in the deeper, more human sense of the word. He will be con­demned to solitude.

Related Characters: David Lurie (speaker), Melanie Isaacs, Ryan
Page Number: 31
Explanation and Analysis:
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Disgrace PDF

Ryan Quotes in Disgrace

The Disgrace quotes below are all either spoken by Ryan or refer to Ryan. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Desire and Power Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4 Quotes

Note that we are not asked to condemn this being with the mad heart, this being with whom there is some­ thing constitutionally wrong. On the contrary, we are invited to understand and sympathize. But there is a limit to sympa­thy. For though he lives among us, he is not one of us. He is ex­actly what he calls himself: a thing, that is, a monster. Finally, Byron will suggest, it will not be possible to love him, not in the deeper, more human sense of the word. He will be con­demned to solitude.

Related Characters: David Lurie (speaker), Melanie Isaacs, Ryan
Page Number: 31
Explanation and Analysis: