The Vietnam Project

Coetzee's novel Dusklands begins with the section (some people refer to it as a novella) called "The Vietnam Project." The protagonist is Eugene Dawn, who is the author of a special report on propaganda in reference to the Vietnam War. The story opens as Eugene considers the merits of his report, which he feels he must defend since his supervisor, named Coetzee, is not quite pleased with it. Coetzee praises Eugene's ability to write but suggests some changes. Eugene, in the meantime, despite his constant reminders to himself to be confident, feels insecure. "He is going to reject me," Eugene says while recounting the day's events in his supervisor's office.

Coetzee tries to explain to Eugene that the report he has written is for the military, which is made up of people who are "slow-thinking, suspicious, and conservative." So Coetzee suggests that Eugene rewrite his...