Krog’s Predicament with truth in “Country of my Skull” and its connection with the word lie, demonstrates similar idea to Coetzee’s novel disgrace through both of their contexts, connection of horrific events and both of their unique connections with truth, lies and the overall idea of uncommunicable communication.

Namely the use of truth in Krogs work on page 50 demonstrates the difficulty of the word and further the ease of using its synonym of lie. “I hesitate at the word; I am not used to using it. Even when I type it, it ends up as either turth or trth. I have never bedded that word in a poem. I prefer the word lie” (Krog 50).  In contrast to this, when Lurie in Disgrace is placed before a hearing, he admits to what he has done however refuses to show guilt for his actions, in a way of refusing to lie. However later on, following his daughters refusal to report the rape, we can see in her, his stubbornness and refusal to admit guilt publicly. As we see this we can also witness his admission of guilt. not as much through his own words but those spoken around him and his own emotions.

This further relates to Krogs novel as we see the difficulty faced in communicating. Furthermore the trauma Lurie and his daughter experienced seems to not be able to be put into words. This, is similar to the difficulty of communicating the trauma shown on page 57 in Krog’s novel. Krog states that “to witness that cry was to witness the destruction of language” (Krog 57), showing how words are not always needed to express the pain that has occrued, whether the pain the victim has felt or the pain someone has caused. Furthermore the idea that pain is connected to truth, equally shows through in both. in Krog, only through expressing the pain, whether in words or otherwise, the victims can then truly express what happened. Similarly, Lurie only truly acknowledges his guilt and truth of what he did after the rape of his daughter.