OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene…
“OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus tells of a peasant who was occupied by a different devil for every day in the week, and on Sundays by two. They were frequently seen, always walking in his shadow, when he had one, but were finally driven away by the village notary, a holy man; but they took the peasant with them, for he vanished utterly. A devil thrown out of a woman by the Archbishop of Rheims ran through the trees, pursued by a hundred persons, until the open country was reached, where by a leap higher than a church spire he escaped into a bird. A chaplain in Cromwell's army exorcised a soldier's obsessing devil by throwing the soldier into the water, when the devil came to the surface. The soldier, unfortunately, did not.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage satirically depicts how societies historically blamed misfortunes on demonic possession, using exaggerated stories to critique superstition and the power of authority to label and exile perceived deviance.
In simple terms: Superstition and authority label and exile deviance.
Key Takeaway
Critique of superstition and social control.
Themes
superstition
authority
exorcism
social control
folklore
Mood
satirical
cautionary
Type
historical anecdote
social critique
When to use this quote
- historical witch trials
- modern moral panics
- religious exorcisms
Key Concepts
collective fear
power dynamics
Practical Applications
- encourage rational inquiry
- promote critical thinking about authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling behavior as 'evil' affect community cohesion?
- What modern equivalents exist for 'devils' that society expels?
A Different Perspective
The anecdotal tone may oversimplify complex cultural contexts, ignoring genuine psychological distress.