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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