--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She shakes him; that is what she…" description: "\"“She shakes him; that is what she presumable does to other readers too. That is, presumably why, in the larger picture, she exists. What a strange rewa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/j-m-coetzee-2457_award_she-shakes-him-that-is-what-she-presumab_703427.png" --- # She shakes him; that is what she presumable does to other… ![“She shakes him; that is what she presumable does to other readers too. That is, presumably why, in the larger picture, she exists. What a strange reward for a lifetime of shaking people: to be conveyed to this town in Pennsylvania and given money!” quote by J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/j-m-coetzee-2457_award_she-shakes-him-that-is-what-she-presumab_703427.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/j-m-coetzee-2457_award_she-shakes-him-that-is-what-she-presumab_703427.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/j-m-coetzee-2457_award_she-shakes-him-that-is-what-she-presumab_703427.png) > ““She shakes him; that is what she presumable does to other readers too. That is, presumably why, in the larger picture, she exists. What a strange reward for a lifetime of shaking people: to be conveyed to this town in Pennsylvania and given money!”” [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character's influence spreads through unsettling actions, reflecting societal exploitation and reward. **In simple terms:** Her actions affect many, often negatively. Key Takeaway Question the morality of influence. Themes exploitation influence society Mood critical thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - Media criticism - political propaganda - celebrity culture Key Concepts Ethics power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What drives people to exploit others? - How does society reward harmful behavior? A Different Perspective May overgeneralize individual motives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Literary-awards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literary-awards/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Most people, given more money, only get into more debt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-t-kiyosaki/most-people-given-more-money-only-get-into-more-debt/) [Robert T. Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-t-kiyosaki/) > [“A quote is worth a thousand books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/a-quote-is-worth-a-thousand-books/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“Every time someone in town wins a literary award, someone will protest — why him, not me, making a big Fuss? And every time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/every-time-someone-in-town-wins-a-literary-award-someone-will-protest/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“The Nobel Prize reminds us that true honour is never shaped by power, popularity, or predictions. The unexpected can prevail — just as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/the-nobel-prize-reminds-us-that-true-honour-is-never-shaped-by-power/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“Books, including those written by famous authors, may sit unread on forgotten shelves, attracting dust rather than readers’ attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/books-including-those-written-by-famous-authors-may-sit-unread-on/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“History teaches us that Literary Book Awards have always been the quickest and easiest way to achieve global fame. They have helped countless authors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/history-teaches-us-that-literary-book-awards-have-always-been-the/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“Literary award judges have the power to select a prize winner, granting them fame and potentially turning their book into a bestseller. However, determining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/literary-award-judges-have-the-power-to-select-a-prize-winner/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“Just as writers rely on editors, they should be allowed to use AI tools to refine their books. If it is acceptable for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/just-as-writers-rely-on-editors-they-should-be-allowed-to-use-ai/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“How can 5 judges decide the best book of the year without reading every book of the year? While some lucky authors can enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/how-can-5-judges-decide-the-best-book-of-the-year-without-reading/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“A true winner is not someone who has won an award, but someone who has left an indelible mark on the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/a-true-winner-is-not-someone-who-has-won-an-award-but-someone-who-has/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“To understand subjectivity in literary awards, think of these competitions as social media platforms and judging panels as their users. A book you submit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/to-understand-subjectivity-in-literary-awards-think-of-these/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“Give AI the right to perform any task that a human editor normally performs” in the realm of writing. These include drafting, proofreading, rephrasing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/give-ai-the-right-to-perform-any-task-that-a-human-editor-normally/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“Literary award competitions are like social media platforms, and judging panels are their users. Submitting a book to a literary award competition is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/literary-award-competitions-are-like-social-media-platforms-and/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“One of the disadvantages of literary awards is the fact that authors are writing to please a book award committee, rather than to spread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/one-of-the-disadvantages-of-literary-awards-is-the-fact-that-authors/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“Envy makes you groan and COMPLAIN, Always wondering, “Why them — not ME?” Envy fills you with bitterness and PAIN. Envy is the soul’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/envy-makes-you-groan-and-complain-always-wondering-why-them-not-me/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) ## More by J.M. Coetzee > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“I truly believe I am not afraid of death. What I shrink from, I believe, is the shame of dying as stupid and befuddled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-truly-believe-i-am-not-afraid-of-death-what-i-shrink-from-i-believe/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Technically he is old enough to be her father; but then, technically one can be a father at twelve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/technically-he-is-old-enough-to-be-her-father-but-then-technically/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“I remember asking John, after Dusklands, what new project he had on the go. His answer was vague. 'There is always something or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-remember-asking-john-after-dusklands-what-new-project-he-had-on-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“The truth is, he tired of criticism, tired of prose measured by the yard." --Disgrace”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/the-truth-is-he-tired-of-criticism-tired-of-prose-measured-by-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Since I was in flight from religion, I assumed that my classmates had to be in flight from religion too, albeit in a quieter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/since-i-was-in-flight-from-religion-i-assumed-that-my-classmates-had/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Lucy was frightened, frightened near to death. Her voice choked, she could not breath, her limbs went numb. "This is not happening", she said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/lucy-was-frightened-frightened-near-to-death-her-voice-choked-she/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“It occurs to me that we crush insects beneath our feet, miracles of creation too, beetles, worms, cockroaches, ants, in their various ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/it-occurs-to-me-that-we-crush-insects-beneath-our-feet-miracles-of/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“He sits with the pen in his hand, holding himself back from a descent into representations that have no place in the world, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-sits-with-the-pen-in-his-hand-holding-himself-back-from-a-descent/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Do you remember Vlek, who was such a good sheepdog that she and Jakob alone could drive a whole flock past you at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/do-you-remember-vlek-who-was-such-a-good-sheepdog-that-she-and-jakob/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“We are accustomed to believe that our world was created by God speaking the Word; but I ask, may it not rather be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/we-are-accustomed-to-believe-that-our-world-was-created-by-god/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...from the oppression of such freedom who would not welcome the liberation of confinement?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/from-the-oppression-of-such-freedom-who-would-not-welcome-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“If he has a last thought, if there is time for a last thought, it will simply be, So this is what a last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/if-he-has-a-last-thought-if-there-is-time-for-a-last-thought-it-will/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“At what age , he wonders, did Origen castrate himself? Not the most graceful solution, but then ageing is not a graceful bussines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/at-what-age-he-wonders-did-origen-castrate-himself-not-the-most/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...he seems to be on the brink of one of his bad spells again, one of the fits of lugubrious self-pity that turn into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-seems-to-be-on-the-brink-of-one-of-his-bad-spells-again-one-of-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) [Explore all 122 J.M. Coetzee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## More Award quotes > [Professionally speaking, the proudest moment was when I booked the 'Human Stain.' I knew it had Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Gary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/professionally-speaking-the-proudest-moment-was-when-i-booked-the/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) > [I love my role in 'Deshamuduru' but I did not get any award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali/i-love-my-role-in-deshamuduru-but-i-did-not-get-any-award/) [Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [Some of my contemporaries don't want to talk about the female problem because they feel like whenever they get a teaching position or an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/du-yun/some-of-my-contemporaries-don-t-want-to-talk-about-the-female-problem/) [Du Yun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/du-yun/) > [I'm not a great believer in awards-of course the fact that I've never won one has nothing to do with it at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/i-m-not-a-great-believer-in-awards-of-course-the-fact-that-i-ve-never/) [Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/) > [Any award the NBA gives you, whether it's on the court or off the court, it's definitely an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-thompson/any-award-the-nba-gives-you-whether-it-s-on-the-court-or-off-the/) [Tristan Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-thompson/) > [I look to a time when brotherhood needs no publicity; to a time when a brotherhood award would be as ridiculous as an award…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-mich/i-look-to-a-time-when-brotherhood-needs-no-publicity-to-a-time-when-a/) Daniel D. Mich > [I am not after any award. Love and affection of the audience is the biggest award for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mukesh-tiwari/i-am-not-after-any-award-love-and-affection-of-the-audience-is-the/) [Mukesh Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mukesh-tiwari/) > [I don't like the energy at award shows. It's rehearsed and everybody is just focused on themselves and nobody wants to genuinely applaud for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaani-kapoor/i-don-t-like-the-energy-at-award-shows-it-s-rehearsed-and-everybody/) [Vaani Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaani-kapoor/) > [You don't want to make awards the reason you're doing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/you-don-t-want-to-make-awards-the-reason-you-re-doing-things/) [Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/) > [Winning or not winning an award doesn't affect me. I just like to do my work in the best possible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kk/winning-or-not-winning-an-award-doesn-t-affect-me-i-just-like-to-do/) KK > [I don't feel I have to acknowledge how I'm doing by an award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-don-t-feel-i-have-to-acknowledge-how-i-m-doing-by-an-award/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [I never thought I would get a National Award. For me, it was huge, and I got complacent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/i-never-thought-i-would-get-a-national-award-for-me-it-was-huge-and-i/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [You don't do a play to compete for an award. This was the argument I always had over the Oscars. I didn't win them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenda-jackson/you-don-t-do-a-play-to-compete-for-an-award-this-was-the-argument-i/) [Glenda Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenda-jackson/) > [I was on MTV's 'Real World' at the time when 'Queer Eye' came out. I remember, the first time I won an award, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karamo-brown/i-was-on-mtv-s-real-world-at-the-time-when-queer-eye-came-out-i/) [Karamo Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karamo-brown/) Browse all 647 Award quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She shakes him; that is what she presumable does to other readers too. That is, presumably why, in the larger picture, she exists. What a strange reward for a lifetime of shaking people: to be conveyed to this town in Pennsylvania and given money!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.M. 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