In Gendering Disgust in Medieval Religious Polemic; Alexandra Cuffel analyzes medieval Jewish; Christian; and Muslim uses of gendered bodily imagery and metaphors of impurity in their visual and verbal polemic against one another. Drawing from a rich array of sources—including medical texts; bestiaries; Muslim apocalyptic texts; midrash; biblical commentaries; kabbalistic literature; Hebrew liturgical poetry; and theological tracts from late antiquity to the mid-fourteenth century—Cuffel examines attitudes toward the corporeal body and its relationship to divinity. She shows that these religious traditions shared notions of the human body as distasteful; with many believers viewing corporeality and communion with the divine as incompatible. In particular; she explores how authors from each religious tradition targeted the woman’s body as antithetical to holiness. Foul smell; bodily fluids and states; and animals were employed by these religious communities as powerful tropes; which they used to mark their religious opponents as sinful; filthy; and unacceptable. By defining and denigrating the religious “other;†each group wielded bodily insult as a means of resistance; of inciting violence; and of creating community boundaries. Representations of impurity or filth designed to inspire revulsion served also to reassure audiences of their religious and sometimes physical superiority and to encourage oppressive measures toward the minority.
#1604876 in Books 2007-06-01 2007-04-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.94 x 6.12l; 3.08 #File Name: 0253348625864 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. pre WWII behind the scenesBy K. NeilsonThis book puts you in the middle of the action along with James McDonald in the events leading up to WWII. As you read; knowing the rest of the story; you have the opportunity of looking at the attitudes and positions of the people who were shaping history; and one man's efforts to warn and/or save as many people as he could; as recorded day by day.I haven't finished the book. It is not a quiok read. As a matter of fact; I had intended to skim it; but soon realized I couldn't miss a word of the diary entries or the bridge material (including the footnotes).The quality of the paper; the binding; and the print is outstanding. This makes a reader friendly presentation of sometimes difficult subject matter. Believe it or not; that does make a difference.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. For those who are interested in the inner workings of ...By Tea KettleFor those who are interested in the inner workings of international affairs; the U.S. State Department or the establishment of the State of Israel "Advocate for the Doomed" diaries by insider; James G. McDonald and his companion diaries are a must read!Tana Markoe14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A rare privilegeBy E. KanterTo be privy to a set of diaries such as these is indeed a rare opportunity. I was loathe to read the last chapters; because I felt as if I was bidding farewell to a man; not only of great courage and determination; but a loyal and devoted friend as well. His travels and experiences are there; open to all who care to share thoughts and frustrations with a man bent on saving human beings; no matter what the cost.The world would be a different place if his words had been heeded. I eagerly look forward to the next volume of his diaries.
