Re: Cain and Abel -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 19:43:22 04/19/08 Sat
Author: Cara
Subject: Re: Cain and Abel
In reply to: Hwaet! 's message, "Cain and Abel" on 21:00:18 04/13/08 Sun

Here's another perspective on the imitative aspect of Abel's sacrifice. When someone tries to imitate their model, and by imitation draws nearer to them in proximity, breaking down the distinctions between subject and model, the model will try to maintain distance between himself and the subject. If Abel sacrificed in order to imitate Cain, that sacrifice which was positive mimesis becomes rivalry. Even from the purest motives, Abel imitates Cain -- imitates his devotion to God -- and Cain cannot stand it, and feels robbed of his separateness from his brother. Perhaps it is this attitude toward Abel's devotion for which Yahweh admonishes Cain. "Why is your face downcast?" -- Yahweh is making the point that Cain has no good reason to be angry with Abel, except that he wishes to dominate his younger brother by maintaining distance between them.

So, the final way to eliminate Abel's threat is to kill him. Maybe Yahweh said sin is crouching at the tent flap because He understood the mechanism and foresaw Cain's Moeobian path drawing near to mimetic crisis.

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Replies:

Re: Cain and Abel -- JPJ II, 17:34:49 04/20/08 Sun
- Re: Cain and Abel -- Cara, 19:07:36 04/20/08 Sun