Reading 1001 discussion

1. Why do you think the novel uses titles like “Magistrate” and “Empire” in the place of full names and specific locations?

I think we are supposed to view the magistrate as an "everyman" and not one specific named individual. I think the empire is in an unnamed location to represent that this is something that could happen anywhere or perhaps representative of every empire that has or will exist.

I may be way off on this. It's just my take. Also, since it obviously mirrors situations seen in South Africa, the author may be refraining to mention the country by name for political reasons.

The Empire could be any expanding government system, and the Magistrate could be any small official in that government: the one in the outlands actually dealing, trading and judiciating with the "Barbarians".

I think that the generic terms make the story more universal than if it were sited in a particular place or time.

I also think the use of Empire and magistrate allows for this to be anyplace. It's not about a specific place but about how Imperialism behaves.

The book was written in the eighties. Apartheid still existed in South Africa and fear of tribes and people was encouraged.

The title barbarian was interesting and the question to ask is "who was the real barbarian"?

I agree with you all having generic titles instead of names means the book doesn't age and can be set anywhere.

As just about everyone has said, in an essentially nineteenth century setting, using generic titles instead of actual names allows Coetzee to universalize his book.

I agree with all of you, the book was an allegory of every empire, including the past ones, the current ones and the ones to come.

Ditto, but, as Kristel said, it is also a reflection of the Apartheid situation that was prevailing in South Africa.