The Values of the Corpse and Abiding in the Liminal Zone
Instructions/guidance: i Two essays: you must do both and indicate which is which! i The content for these exam questions must come predominantly from class lectures. If you did not attend them, you will have to do the best you can. i You are not expected to quote secondary sources, but it may help to cite sources for this course. These citations must be accurate and meticulous: consult the library if you (still) don’t know how to cite sources. Inaccurate or sloppy citations will count against you. Lectures can be indicated by title. i We will be looking for appropriateness, accuracy, and richness in your use of examples i Stylistic advice: do not fill space with an overblown lead paragraph (“Ever since the dawn of time man has feared . . .”). Get straight to the topic! i Beware of any use of others’ work that might infringe on the B.U. Academic Honesty code, which is linked under “Information” on the course web-page. Any indication of any dishonesty will result in an F for the exam and, most likely, the course. Exam Essay Topics (you must do both): I. [2-3 pages] 2 The values of the corpse: The corpse and its decomposition represent a central problem in the transition between a living social being and an ancestor or resituated soul. Repelled by the changing appearance of the rotting corpse, people around the world and through history avoid it or dispose of it quickly. These are the typical ways people deal with the fleshy part of those who have died. And yet sometimes there is a desire for corpses or their parts: why? So in the first part of this essay you must explain in your own words why the corpse is such an essential part of the funerary process, even though prone to decomposition and visual transformation. In the second part you must explain how – or in what contexts – something so disgusting/impure/scary as a corpse or its parts could become desirable – the object of touching, collecting, or enshrining? II. [3-4 pages] Abiding in the Liminal Zone: As Van Gennep presents it, the liminal state is something to “get through” before emerging in a new social status, not to linger or remain there. (Who would want to remain in a state of liminality, witches, and pollution?). But in this course we have seen a number of liminal social situations to which people are drawn and in which they willingly linger for some time, even their entire lives. Discuss three such situations, attending especially to how they involve a status between life and death. Be sure to explain exactly how your examples involve a desirable and prolonged liminality. 1 Sanctions for late papers: Between 12:15 and 3pm: half-grade reduction; Between 3pm and 10pm: full grade reduction; After 10pm Monday 5/9: Failure (i.e., we will not accept or look at what you write, and you will receive an F for this part of the grade). 2Recommended page lengths are for guidance. If your essay is under the minimum, it probably means the discussion is inadequate; if it is over the maximum length, make sure you hav
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The Value of the Corpse
Rituals can be understood as symbolic activities to help people express their thoughts and emotions regarding relevant events, including death. It follows that these rituals vary from one culture to the next. The core of the funeral ritual is usually the body of the diseased. According to Zapico (165), the body undergoes decomposition immediately after the nervous system has shut down because microorganisms can travel freely within the body with nothing to destroy them. The process begins in the gut before spreading to other areas. Eventually, the body undergoes a physical and visual transformation before the burial process. Despite its decomposition and visual transformation, this essay discusses why the corpse is an integral part of the funerary process.
Importance of the Corpse
For status, the corpse helps mourners to acknowledge the reality of death. Wright explains that in some cases, the bereaved may fail to believe their loss until visual proof is provided. This situation arises because humans embrace death in two phases. In the first step, humans will acknowledge their loss in their minds. Intellectually, these people understand what death is and what it means for them. However, emotionally, they may experience a type of denial. Therefore, the body helps them get to the second phase of their grief which is to understand the meaning of death emotionally.
Wright furthers that the body becomes integral to the funerary process in such cases. As a result, mourners can view their loved ones and ascertain for themselves. In some cultures, viewing the body is an entire ritual. For example, some cultures may add specific trinkets like coins as they view the body. Mathijssen (2) explains that these cultures are linked to cultural belief systems. For instance, the coin compensates the ferryman who would help ferry the deceased's soul into the next life.
Secondly, the corpse helps to move towards the pain of loss. Mathijssen (7) argues that healthy grief requires the expression of one's grief, and painful thoughts regarding their loss and body facilitate this process. People can wail, cry, or sob over their loss in a funeral setting. In turn, other mourners are forced to concentrate on the subject of death and, ultimately, their emotions towards their loss. In other words, the presence of the body directs people to mourn their loss since they can no longer deny what lies in front of them. In addition, people feel comfortable expressing these emotions since it is in a good location. It is the only time and location when people find it socially acceptable to express sadness.
The corpse is essential to remember the deceased. Determine (74) explains that mourners must change their relationship with the late from a physical sense to a recollection during this process. Seeing the dead body encourages mourners to begin this shift, eventually leading to healing. For instance, while viewing the body, one can begin to recollect memories of when they spent time with the late. These recollections invite other memories between the mourner and the deceased. In addition, the mourners can share these memories with others as they recall their interactions with the late.
Mathijssen (10) adds that the process of sharing elevates painful thoughts and emotions. For example, when one remembers the time they went to the movies together or when the late made them very happy. Alternatively, one may decide to share an embarrassing memory of the late that will evoke laughter from the mourners. These lighter memories help ground the mourners in reality such that they do not get lost in their sad thoughts. At the same time, they begin to understand that all they have left is memories and that everyone is experiencing their loss differently.
The corpse also encourages support from other people. From previous understanding, funerals are a public way of expressing one's emotions after experiencing the death of a loved one. With the body available, the grief process is significantly steered towards healing. Determine (76) explains that words are inadequate to demonstrate support in some cases. When this happens, physical presence is the next best thing. The corpse allows for physical presence. For example, when a family experiences a loved one, they feel the pain of an immediate relative. The deceased also had friends or colleagues with whom they were close. These friends may wish to attend the funeral and offer physical presence as a form of support to the family.
Conclusion
The attitudes towards death and rituals involving the corpse are different from one culture to the other. Today, many people reject these rituals because they do not understand their relevance. Some ignore them altogether and adopt new practices. A decent funeral and burial are essential for everyone regardless of their life. Therefore, as times change and the essence of these rituals is getting done away, we must maintain some of these practices. As explained above, the corpse is critical in the healing process of the bereaved, regardless of the decomposition and visual transformation.
Abiding in the Liminal Zone
Van Gennep explains the liminal state as a temporary state before emerging in a new social status. At the ...