51 pages 1 hour read

J. M. Coetzee

Foe

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1986

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Part 4

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 4 Summary

An unnamed narrator takes over the story. This narrator appears in Foe’s apartment and watches over Foe and Susan as they lay together in the bed. Meanwhile, Friday is asleep in the corner. The narrator approaches, tries to open Friday’s mouth, and then tries to pull Friday’s teeth apart. Inside the mouth, the narrator says, is the “sounds of the island” (154). The narrator looks outside the house, where a plaque has been fixed to the wall. The plaque describes how “Daniel Defoe, Author” once lived here (155). Returning into the apartment, passing the bed, the narrator returns to the place where Friday is asleep. The narrator looks at Friday, noticing in particular a scar on Friday’s neck. Elsewhere in the room, the narrator finds a manuscript. The narrator begins to read.

The manuscript is a story, written from Susan’s perspective. The story resembles the opening passages of Foe, as Susan rows until she is exhausted and then throws herself into the sea. Rather than drift to the island, however, the protagonist of this particular story swims deep down under the waves. The protagonist finds the wrecked ship on the floor of the sea and enters, finding a cabin where

blurred text

blurred text

Related Titles

By J. M. Coetzee

Plot Summary

logo

Elizabeth Costello

J. M. Coetzee

Elizabeth Costello

J. M. Coetzee

Plot Summary

logo

In the Heart of the Country

J. M. Coetzee

In the Heart of the Country

J. M. Coetzee

Plot Summary

logo

Life and Times of Michael K

J. M. Coetzee

Life and Times of Michael K

J. M. Coetzee

Study Guide

logo

The Lives of Animals

J. M. Coetzee

The Lives of Animals

J. M. Coetzee

Plot Summary

logo

The Schooldays of Jesus

J. M. Coetzee

The Schooldays of Jesus

J. M. Coetzee

Study Guide

logo

Waiting for the Barbarians

J. M. Coetzee

Waiting for the Barbarians

J. M. Coetzee