"I was shot in the left arm by a friend": Transgression and the possibility of communication

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Humphries, M. (2014). "I was shot in the left arm by a friend": Transgression and the possibility of communication. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

For my paper I will look at contemporary communities built on violence, looking specifically at how the philosophy of Georges Bataille may allow for these groups to be interpreted in the context of sacrifice. Though I will look at some issues related to sexual desire, and drawing a clear, separating line between violent and sexual desires is difficult, I will focus mostly on the relationship between observers of violence and those engaged in acts of pointless violence. To do this, I will employ the thought of Bataille, as Bataille works to understand the role of violent desire and taboo in contemporary society. Using Bataille's thought, I will examine the ways that some contemporary communities are built around useless expenditure, focusing on the ways these communities reflect Bataille's vision of religion. I examine three case studies - the world of deathmatch wrestling, the performance art of Chris Burden, and the Jonathan Littell novel The Kindly Ones - paying particular attention to the ways these cultures are centered on transgressive, wasteful moments.

Details
Author

Humphries, Matthew

Title

"I was shot in the left arm by a friend": Transgression and the possibility of communication

Physical Description

1 online resource (128 pages) : PDF

Date

2014

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

For my paper I will look at contemporary communities built on violence, looking specifically at how the philosophy of Georges Bataille may allow for these groups to be interpreted in the context of sacrifice. Though I will look at some issues related to sexual desire, and drawing a clear, separating line between violent and sexual desires is difficult, I will focus mostly on the relationship between observers of violence and those engaged in acts of pointless violence. To do this, I will employ the thought of Bataille, as Bataille works to understand the role of violent desire and taboo in contemporary society. Using Bataille's thought, I will examine the ways that some contemporary communities are built around useless expenditure, focusing on the ways these communities reflect Bataille's vision of religion. I examine three case studies - the world of deathmatch wrestling, the performance art of Chris Burden, and the Jonathan Littell novel The Kindly Ones - paying particular attention to the ways these cultures are centered on transgressive, wasteful moments.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Literature
History--Religious aspects

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Chris Burden
Georges Bataille
The Kindly Ones
Wrestling

Subject Area

Religious Studies

Advisor(s)

Brintnall, Kent

Committee Members

Winters, Joseph
McCloud, Sean

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Humphries_uncc_0694N_10711

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:1432