Task: Finding out the meaning of Foe
OBJECTIVES
Cultural: learning about meaning
Intertextual: finding links between dictionary use and understanding novels
Linguistic: improving writing skills
Choose the meanings of the word "foe".
Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman
FOE: literary an enemy.
Webliography: http://www.wordreference.com/
FOE: adversary; rival.
Webliography: http://www.allwords.com/
FOE: abbreviation of friends of the Earth.
Do you think that the novelist was successful to choose this title for his novel? What expectation does the title raise?
In my opinion Coetzee was successful to chose this title because it conveys the essence of the nature on the island: it is a rival of humanity. Thus the title centres the most important message of the book: the man is in the hands of the destiny that sometimes could be adverse. I think that the novelist chose this title to underline the difficulty to live on the island.
In fact the word "foe" means adversary, rival and it could be referred to the adverse conditions of the desert island. Moreover the title recalls the name of the novelist Daniel Defoe.
Choose "Foe" etymology.
Webliography: http://www.etymonline.com/
FOE: O.E. gefa "adversary in deadly feud," from fah "at feud, hostile," from P.Gmc. *fakhaz (cf. O.H.G. fehan "to hate," Goth. faih "deception"), probably from PIE base *peik- "evil-minded, treacherous, hostile" (cf. Skt. pisunah "malicious," picacah "demon;" Gk. pikros "bitter;" Lith. piktas "wicked, angry," pekti "to blame"). Weaker sense of "adversary" is first recorded 1607.
Webliography: http://www.allwords.com/
FOE: Anglo-Saxon fah hostile.