The Complexities of the Magistrate

J.M. Coetzee’s, Waiting for the Barbarians, is written strictly in the present tense. Since the story is actively developing the reader is captured in time with the Magistrate. (The reader is learning the story at the same time as the Magistrate.)

The Magistrate is a complex character. He does not seem to agree with the torture that is afflicted upon the barbarians, but works for people who do. He seems to be siding with the barbarians. When talking to a colleague about possibly pushing the barbarians into the mountains he fights for them by saying that barbarians are nomads who will not allow themselves to be pushed into the mountains. Furthermore, he says all the barbarians want is their land back, so they can roam free in their pastures. He ends his discussion by saying, “I wish that these barbarians would rise up and teach us a lesson,”(2:50). He seems to believe that the barbarians will outlive the English in this land which suggests that he does not have the strongest confidence in his men’s defeat over the barbarians.

Magistrate becomes close to a barbarian woman. After meeting a blind barbarian woman, and spending multiple nights with her, he takes her back to her own people. Risking his life, he travels through the harsh winter, so she can be safe at home. He truly cares for her on this journey. Before the journey he bought he boots, fur, gloves and a rabbit skin cap. Magistrate is gentle toward the blind woman. When the blind woman is menstruating and no other man will go near her, the Magistrate brings her food and comforts her. He even sleeps in the tent beside her. When the blind woman is united with other barbarians the Magistrate confirms that she does not have to go with them if she does not want to, she can stay with him if she would like. I find his compassion toward her to be very honorable.

Although some characteristics of the Magistrate are honorable others are not. He suggests he is quite the womanizer when he wants to be, but he is very mixed up with his feelings toward women. Sometimes he desires them and other times they mean nothing to him. He questions himself often, wondering whether the girl he is with is pretty or not, or if their sexual encounters really mean anything to him. He seems very confused when it comes to women and his morals toward women, but when it comes to his morals toward how he treats the barbarians he stays true. He is kind and generous. Characteristics I would like to see him carry over in other aspects of his life.

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Are Human One Race of Many?

External differences due to climate, food, habits, ect.

Argued that many races remain altogether unchanged.

“Natural Selection” with animals depends on “self-dependence and individual isolation”
-keeps animals uniform standard

Humans are more sympathetic, keeping the sick alive. This increases mental and moral qualities .
-Help learn to use nature for survival. (live in harmony with environment helps keep numbers)

“Great modifications of structure and of external form, which resulted in the development of man out of some lower type of animal, must of occurred before his intellect had raised him above the condition of the brutes”
-helps resist natural selection

"kept in harmony with the slowly changing universe around him by an advance in mind rather than body”

“common origin of all mankind”

The Positive Conclusion for the Remainder of the Compson's

The Sound and the Fury ends the way it began; with Benji. Benji, Luster, Dilsey and Jason are driving their carriage and they reach an intersection. Luster turns onto an unfamiliar route and Benji becomes very upset and moans in concern. Once Luster steers the carriage into the right direction Benji becomes at ease. When Benji recognizes the familiar he calms down because he is comforted with the familiar. Through this scene the reader can interpret that Benji needs order to remain stable. Benji’s life has finally reached a stage of composure. The members in his family who caused chaos and destruction have left and now Benji is at peace with the woman who has always been a mother figure toward him, Dilsey. It also seems that Benji will now have the opportunity to create a bond with his brother Jason, that they had not had before. Dilsey will be the support and strength of the family without interference. The dramatics that were once caused by the Compson’s will no longer occur and the remainder of the family, who have not yet been shambled, will move on successfully.
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