Some psychoanalytical meanings of the skin in the book of Job

Pieter Van Der Zwan

doi:10.4102/ve.v38i1.1639

Abstract

Traditionally, there has been a tension between psychology and religion because of the Freudian critique of religion. This research intends to show that a deeper understanding of religion leading hopefully to an even deeper religiosity can be achieved by studying bodily features portrayed in a (religious) text from a psychoanalytic perspective. Just as any literary character can be ‘psychoanalysed’ to produce new perspectives on it and on the narrative as a whole, the personality of Job invites the postmodern reader to continue understanding this book on new levels. From this approach, it becomes clear that the protagonist struggles with boundaries and individuation because of his depressive tendencies experienced in issues with reality’s harsh touch, nakedness and distance. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Just as any literary character can be ‘psychoanalysed’ to produce new perspectives on it and on the narrative as a whole, the personality of Job invites the postmodern reader to continue understanding this book on new levels. From this approach, it becomes clear that the protagonist struggles with boundaries and individuation because of his depressive tendencies experienced in issues with reality’s harsh touch, nakedness and distance.

Highlights

The interest in this study derives from the fact that the skin has gained increasing attention in western culture during the last 300 years to develop into a rigid boundary as central metaphor for separation (Benthien 1999:7)
There have been some studies on the body of Job (e.g. Basson 2008; Erickson 2013; Jones 2013; Viviers 2002), none of these has applied psychoanalytic perspectives nor has anyone focused on his skin, except Spero (2007:224–227) who regards it as an oral phenomenon because of its enveloping function
Boundaries and borders, including the skin, in the book of Job are relative and constantly in flux and in crisis and creative and transformative

Summary

Introduction

The interest in this study derives from the fact that the skin has gained increasing attention in western culture during the last 300 years to develop into a rigid boundary as central metaphor for separation (Benthien 1999:7). Some of the Hebrew words for illness suggest an attack on the body, that is, on the skin in the first place.

Results

Conclusion