article

Closure as cure: tropes in the exploration of bodily and social disorder

Current anthropology • 27 (2) • Published In 1986 • Pages: 107-120

By: Herzfeld, Michael.

Abstract

Herzfeld examines evil eye (THIARMOS) from a semiotic perspective. He makes a distinction between the experience and expression of illness. The experience of pain from evil eye is one of a tension headache, which can include nausea and backache. The illness expresses 'personal inadequacy,' 'damaged identity,' and 'social failure.' The less powerful are more prone to the symptoms of evil eye and the more powerful are thought to be its agents. Herzfeld argues that curing spells restore order by invoking a cosmology and bring closure by delineating the body.

HRAF PubDate

2003

Region

Europe

Sub Region

Southeastern Europe

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2002

Field Date

1974-19841

Coverage Date

1974-1984

Coverage Place

'Glendi', Crete, Greece

Notes

by Michael Herzfeld

Includes bibliographical references (p. 118-120)

LCCN

a 63000576

LCSH

Greece