How did J.M. Coetzee depart from realism in novels such as Waiting for the Barbarians?

J.M. Coetzee’s work represents a significant departure from the traditions of realism and naturalistic description that previously dominated South African literature.1

In novels such as Waiting for the Barbarians (1980), Coetzee moves away from the literal depiction of contemporary settings to explore the brutality and injustice of exploitative modern societies through alternative literary modes. Specifically, he employs the following techniques to transcend realism:1

• Allegory: By setting his narratives in undefined borderlands or abstract spaces, he creates allegorical frameworks that examine the universal ramifications of colonization and power dynamics rather than focusing solely on specific historical events.21
• Black Humour: He utilizes dark, ironic humor to critique the absurdity and cruelty of the systems he depicts.1
• Narrative Technique: He incorporates experimental styles, such as stream-of-consciousness, to delve into the psychological states of his characters, further distancing his prose from the straightforward, observational style of traditional realist writers.1

Through these methods, Coetzee provides a more profound, symbolic analysis of the human condition under oppressive regimes than a strictly realist approach might allow.1