Title
Poetry and Prophecy: The Anthropology of Inspiration
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
The magic of words is something many people refer to without qualification or, often, attention. In this pathbreaking collection, John Harold Leavitt has assembled five essays that explore the places where magic and words most clearly intersect: in prophetic or inspired acts of speech and writing.Based on rich ethnographic work in Western and nonWestern cultures, the essays represent distinct approaches to the topic, from one person s account of her interactions with a possessing spirit to another s worldspanning statement on prophetic poetics. Each contributor challenges easy assumptions that poetic texts are crafted works, products of skill rather than inspiration, while prophetic speech and writing are best understood as spontaneous performance rather than formal art.As a whole the collection aims to reorient the anthropological study of possession and oracular experiences toward an awareness of the word, and to draw the attention of literary critics to inspired poetry. It will also appeal to readers in performance studies and comparative religion.Contributors are Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, James Fernandez, Paul Friedrich, John Leavitt, Dennis Tedlock, Margaret Trawick.John Harold Leavitt is Professor of Anthropology, University of Montreal.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Poetry and Prophecy: The Anthropology of Inspiration'? A: The book explores the intersection of magic and words, particularly focusing on prophetic and inspired acts of speech and writing across various cultures.
- Q: Who are the authors contributing to this collection? A: Contributors include Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, James Fernandez, Paul Friedrich, John Leavitt, Dennis Tedlock, and Margaret Trawick.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 224 pages.
- Q: In which category is this book classified? A: This book is classified under the category of Performing Arts.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The item is listed in 'Very Good' condition.
- Q: When was 'Poetry and Prophecy' published? A: The book was published on November 6, 1997.
- Q: What academic background does John Harold Leavitt have? A: John Harold Leavitt is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Montreal.
- Q: What types of readers would be interested in this book? A: The book will appeal to readers interested in anthropology, performance studies, and comparative religion.
- Q: What unique perspectives do the essays in the book provide? A: The essays challenge the assumption that poetic texts are solely crafted works, instead highlighting the role of inspiration and spontaneous performance in their creation.