Dealings with the Dead (eBook)

Lucius M. Sargent (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
903 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654740385-2 (EAN)

Infos

In 'Dealings with the Dead,' Lucius M. Sargent offers a meticulous exploration of mortuary customs and funeral ceremonies, providing a unique perspective by framing the narrative through the experiences of a church sexton. This two-volume work captures the solemnity and intricate traditions associated with death in the United States, with Sargent's prose imparting a sense of immediacy and respect for the subject. The literary style melds ethnographic observation with reflective anecdotes, situating the practice within its broader cultural and historical contexts, which includes insights into changes in societal attitudes toward death and commemoration over time.

Lucius Manlius Sargent, known for his intense curiosity about cultural practices and profound understanding of human nature, wields his extensive knowledge to illuminate these oft-overlooked aspects of society. Drawing from a rich tapestry of personal encounters and documented traditions, Sargent constructs a contemplative narrative that resonates with the gravity of his subject. His labor is a culmination of a lifelong fascination with the ways in which cultures honor and remember their deceased, leading to a thoughtful and comprehensive exposition on the topic.

'Dealings with the Dead' is a scholarly yet accessible work that will interest students of cultural anthropology, history, and theology, as well as general readers fascinated by the ritualistic tapestries that bind communities in times of mourning. Sargent's volumes serve as a testament to the enduring power of ritual and memory, and offer an insightful journey through the customs that define humanity's relationship with mortality.

Autor

Lucius Manlius Sargent (1786-1867) was a prominent figure in 19th-century American literature, whose forays into writing were matched by his expertise as a temperance advocate and numismatist. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Sargent was the son of prominent parents who ensured he received an education befitting their status, thus grooming him for a lifetime of scholarly and cultural achievements. His legacy, however, is most distinctly captured in his literary work, 'Dealings with the Dead', a collection of macabre and supernatural tales that intimately explores themes of mortality and the afterlife. Sargent's narrative style in 'Dealings with the Dead' reflects a gothic sensibility, which was characterized by an emphasis on emotion and a fascination with the morbid aspects of life, firmly rooting him in the literary tradition of the early American gothic movement. Although not as universally recognized as some of his contemporaries, Sargent's contributions to the genre cannot be overlooked, as they provide insight into the cultural preoccupations with death and the supernatural during his time. While his works may not have the canonical status of some authors from the era, Sargent's writing still garners attention from scholars interested in the breadth and diversity of early American gothic literature and the various sociocultural concerns it reflects.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 13.11.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Ethnologie ► Völkerkunde (Naturvölker)
• Schlagworte: 19th century macabre • Ancestral Narratives • antiquarian ghost stories • Black Lies Matter • celtic tales • cemetery tales • death customs in literature • DNA USA • Gothic literature • Lucius M. Sargent writings • Mermaids • Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil • mourning rituals fiction • supernatural folklore • The Color of Compromise • The Lemon Tree • The Power of Ritual • Victorian era spiritualism • WHITE FRAGILITY • Wicca Book of Spells