A forum for Blog Community #2 of CSCL 1001 (Introduction to Cultural Studies: Rhetoric, Power, Desire; University of Minnesota, Fall 2011) -- and interested guests.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Body Bind
Through running a marathon in 90 degree heat, taking a hard fall and scraping your knee, getting a horrible sunburn, or feeling full after a huge dinner, we are able to feel the physical link between our bodies and ourselves. But perhaps the connection between our spiritual self and our bodies is represented by that very word "connection", instead of an indistinguishable bond between the two. In Susan Bordo's, "The Body and Reproduction of femininity", the idea of the "docile body", and the constant shaping and constructing of our physical image, brings to light the psychological disconnection we have with our bodies. Bordo discusses the construction of body as something separate form our true self (ex: soul, mind, spirit). This separation causes people to constantly discipline and shape their bodies to try and reflect their inner self, which is entirely influenced by their culture. It can be described by saying that people treat their bodies as objects, being constantly subjected to reconstruction and change. This ties back to Bordo's overall theory that the body is a direct text and metaphor of culture. What we do on a day to day basis, what we believe in, what historical patterns have unconsciously inscribed in our psyche , these are all factors in our behavior, and therefore our bodies. An example of this is as easy as stepping back, looking at yourself, and questioning what makes you look and dress like you do? What motives and emotions drive you to take a position on what image of yourself you want to portray in the world. Where does your drive to morph yourself to look a certain way stem from? All these puzzling questions, although possibly unanswerable, tie to Bordo's idea of the body as a medium of culture.
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I find this train of thinking quite interesting. I had not looked at this proposal the same way. I think another good way to "re-connect" with our bodies would be to do some sort of meditation, to get a "real-feel" for how our bodies react to certain situations and learn from those reactions. All those questions you posed are get starters to the breakdown of who you are and what makes your identity. If people sat down and took the time to answers those questions there wouldn't be as much of a problem with the disembodiment of the body and soul.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting how you brought up looking at yourself to see the impact culture has on you. This made me question my own appearance. Why did I choose the clothes I have? Why did I get this hairstyle? It all ties into realizing that culture has a major influence on us. I'd like to think that I chose my clothes and hairstyle because I personally liked them, but I can't help wondering, "Do I actually like them? Or is the influence of media and others making me think that is what I like?"
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