A Pariah People: Anthropology of Antisemitism - Couverture rigide

Maccoby, Hyam

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0094754500 ISBN 13 : 9780094754508

Editeur : Constable, 1996

Synopsis

Antisemitism is a remarkably persistent phenomenon as evidenced in Europe even today. In this timely and compelling book, Hyam Maccoby offers an anthropological explanation for the phenomenon.

Historically the Jews formed a despised caste in Christian society, thereby playing, unwittingly, an indispensable role - comparable with that of the untouchables in India. The foundations for this role lie in the New Testament narrative, which Hyam Maccoby analyses in the light of the ancient concepts of sacrifice. The Jews became the archetypal performers of the wicked - but essential - Divine Sacrifice, functioning as carriers of guilt for Christian society, thus absolving Christians from necessary but taboo activities. The stigma attached to the Jews was continually reinforced by myth and art.

Though Jews were officially freed from pariah status after the Enlightenment, the stigma remained - as with Hindu untouchables and with pariah groups in many other cultures. In making use of anthropological analysis this important book provides an explanation of the failure of apparently promising strategies for normalising the status of Jews.

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Constable
• Date d'édition: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0094754500
• ISBN 13: 9780094754508
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 256