Problems of Catharsis -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 19:05:56 03/09/08 Sun
Author: JPJ II
Subject: Problems of Catharsis
In reply to: Caitlin 's message, "How Unconsious is it REALLY?" on 13:32:12 03/06/08 Thu

I dont disagree with most of what you say. It doesn't take much for a group of people to passively allow something or even to participate in something contrary to their beliefs and opinions (products of public education participating in Swing Dancing, for instance). But within the context of the sacrificial mechanism, this undermines the mechanism completely. If members of the mob are actually conscious of the arbitrariness of the sacrificial mechanism, if they are only going along with it, then there cannot be catharsis after the purgation of the victim from the community. Unless the community actually DOES BELIEVE in the guilt of the victim, there can be no reason for a restoration of order after the collective persecution. "Surely this man is innocent" says the Roman guard at the Cross. Many were passive in the Passion text, but apparently some did not believe in its efficacy. If they had, there would have been no need to place guards at the door of Christ's tomb.

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Replies:

Re: Problems of Catharsis -- Erin Risch, 20:24:04 03/15/08 Sat