When reading JM Coetzee's Disgrace, before delving into character studies intertwined in this novel, it is essential to first understand the context of apartheid as an institution. Apartheid had a socioeconomic effect on the different cultural groups in South Africa which ultimately affects the main protagonists of this novel. Disgrace, a novel by JM Coetzee, implies that David Lurie embodies the pre-arpartheid era, while Lucy represents the post-apartheid. The old South Africa is best described by Mark Uhlig: “The seeds of such violent conflict in South Africa were sown more than 300 years ago, with the first encounters between white settlers and black indigenous tribes in an unequal relationship destined one day to become unsustainable” (116). Apartheid was considered a necessary arrangement in South Africa, as the Afrikaner National Party gained strong majority political control of the country after the 1940s and economic dependence on fertile natural resources, such as diamond mines and gold and other metals such as platinum. This required intense work and the dominant white control over the repressed black majority allowed for an interesting depiction of this when given the opportunity to show some sort of remorse, through the contrition of his actions, as written by Coetzee” 'A spirit of repentance” (58). However, David fails to do so. It is as if he is incapable of seeing his mistakes in this light and suggests a subtle arrogance in believing he has done no harm. Not only does he appear unable to cope with his responsibilities, he may also be emotionally incapable of doing so. Institutions, such as Apartheid in South Africa, tend to disable an individual's moral sense to meet their own needs.