"Kim Hewitt explores self-mutilation through history and across cultural divisions, finding these acts ""positive expressions of social custom, individualism and resourcefulness . . . symptomatic of crises of identity, religious faith, or modern social structures."" In modern contexts, such ancient rituals continue to function as an avenue of symbolic death and rebirth. In her analysis of the origins and motivations of body modification, the author draws upon psychological, medical, and cultural theories on self-inflicted pain-tattooing and scarification as well as fasting, bulimia, and some performance art. She finds such contemporary acts of self-mutilation may ""express a change in how society perceives marginalization."""
By:
Kim Hewitt Imprint: Bowling Green University Popular Press,US Country of Publication: United States Dimensions:
Height: 228mm,
Width: 154mm,
Spine: 14mm
Weight: 280g ISBN:9780879727109 ISBN 10: 0879727101 Pages: 161 Publication Date:30 September 2005 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active