Poetics of the Flesh

by Mayra Rivera

In Poetics of the Flesh Mayra Rivera offers poetic reflections on how we understand our carnal relationship to the world, at once spiritual, organic, and social. She connects conversations about corporeality in theology, political theory, and continental philosophy to show the relationship between the ways ancient Christian thinkers and modern Western philosophers conceive of the "body" and "flesh.” Her readings of the biblical writings of John and Paul as well as the work of Tertullian illustrate how Christian ideas of flesh influenced the works of Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Michel Foucault, and inform her readings of Judith Butler, Frantz Fanon, and others. Rivera also furthers developments in new materialism by exploring the intersections among bodies, material elements, social arrangements, and discourses through body and flesh. By painting a complex picture of bodies, and by developing an account of how the social materializes in flesh, Rivera provides a new way to understand gender and race.

 

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Essays, Cultural Studies

216 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2015

Reviews

[Hdurany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rivera demonstrates how our flesh is deeply impacted by words, pointing particularly to the harm caused by racist and sexist language. She challenges us all to carefully consider the words we use. Her call should be heeded especially by those who plan worship.

[Courtney Sells-Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivera does an excellent job at determining what we deem as flesh. It also brought up thoughts for me around the commodification of art, flesh, and more specifically the commodification of women and labor. This will be an excellent source for my upcoming master's thesis!

[steds · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing.