"The idea of writer as sage is pretty much dead today. I would certainly feel very uncomfortable in the role"

This quote by J. M. Coetzee speaks to the idea of the author as a sage, or sensible person, being outdated in today's society. Coetzee suggests that the idea of a writer as a sage is no longer pertinent, which he himself would feel uneasy in such a function. This could be translated as a commentary on the changing function of the writer in society, and how the standard idea of the writer as a smart figure has been changed by a more modern-day, diverse variety of authors. It might also be viewed as a reflection of Coetzee's own sensations about his function as an author, and how he does not feel comfortable in the conventional role of a sage. Eventually, this quote talks to the changing nature of composing and the role of the writer in today's society.