"Hear and give ear!": the soundscape of Jeremiah
Sound offers a significant but underappreciated point of entry into the book of Jeremiah. Drawing on R. Murray Schafer's concept of the "soundscape" and other work on sound and sensory criticism, this article explores the significance of sound in constructing meaning in Jeremiah. The...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Print Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
Published: |
[2016]
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In: |
Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2016, Volume: 40, Issue: 4, Pages: 467-490 |
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Jeremiah
/ Sound
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IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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Summary: | Sound offers a significant but underappreciated point of entry into the book of Jeremiah. Drawing on R. Murray Schafer's concept of the "soundscape" and other work on sound and sensory criticism, this article explores the significance of sound in constructing meaning in Jeremiah. The sounds of human voices mingle with the clamor of warfare, the vocalizations of animals, and cries of pain and suffering in a way that adds complexity to an already complex and layered text. Attending to sound also clarifies structure, as the text contains multiple nested soundscapes. Sound is likewise linked to gender, as in the use of marked feminine sounds such as lament. Reading Jeremiah with an ear to its sounds reveals previously unheard subtleties, while also offering a new way to perceive what is already familiar. It also demonstrates the usefulness of sound studies for reading the prophetic books. |
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ISSN: | 0309-0892 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
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