Ghostly Matters

Synopsis

"Avery Gordon's stunningly original and provocatively imaginative book explores the connections linking horror, history, and haunting. " -George Lipsitz

 

"The text is of great value to anyone working on issues pertaining to the fantastic and the uncanny."  -American Studies International

 

"Ghostly Matters immediately establishes Avery Gordon as a leader among her generation of social and cultural theorists in all fields. The sheer beauty of her language enhances an intellectual brilliance so daunting that some readers will mark the day they first read this book. One must go back many more years than most of us can remember to find a more important book." -Charles Lemert

 

Drawing on a range of sources, including the fiction of Toni Morrison and Luisa Valenzuela (He Who Searches), Avery Gordon demonstrates that past or haunting social forces control present life in different and more complicated ways than most social analysts presume. Written with a power to match its subject, Ghostly Matters has advanced the way we look at the complex intersections of race, gender, and class as they traverse our lives in sharp relief and shadowy manifestations.

 

Avery F. Gordon is professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 

Janice Radway is professor of literature at Duke University.

Summary

Chapter 1: A Ghostly Introduction

* Summary: Introduces the concept of ghosts and their various manifestations, including apparitions, poltergeists, and haunting. Explores the history and cultural beliefs surrounding ghosts and their existence.
* Real Example: The story of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, a famous ghost said to haunt a historic English manor house, is used as an example.

Chapter 2: Ghosts and the Supernatural

* Summary: Examines the relationship between ghosts and supernatural phenomena, such as mediums, psychics, and spiritualism. Discusses the different theories and beliefs about how ghosts interact with the living world.
* Real Example: The case of the Enfield Poltergeist is presented as an example of ghostly activity involving physical manifestations and communication through mediums.

Chapter 3: Investigating the Paranormal

* Summary: Describes various methods used to investigate paranormal activity, including ghost hunting equipment, electronic voice phenomena, and scientific research. Discusses the challenges and limitations of paranormal investigations.
* Real Example: The work of the Massachusetts Society for Psychical Research is presented as an example of a non-profit organization that investigates paranormal claims.

Chapter 4: Ghosts in Literature and Art

* Summary: Explores the portrayal of ghosts in literature, art, and popular culture. Examines how ghosts have been used as literary devices, artistic subjects, and cultural symbols.
* Real Example: The works of Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, and Henry James are explored as examples of how ghosts have been used in Gothic literature.

Chapter 5: The Psychology of Ghost Belief

* Summary: Examines the psychological factors that contribute to our belief in ghosts, including fear of death, cultural conditioning, and cognitive biases. Discusses the role of perception, memory, and imagination in shaping our experiences of the paranormal.
* Real Example: The case study of the "Phantom Limb Phenomena" is presented as an example of how our brains can create the illusion of ghostly experiences.

Chapter 6: The Science of Ghosts

* Summary: Reviews the scientific evidence and theories regarding ghosts and paranormal activity. Examines the role of sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and brain chemistry in explaining supposed ghostly encounters.
* Real Example: The research of Dr. Christopher French, a professor of psychology known for his skepticism towards paranormal claims, is presented as an example of scientific investigations into ghost phenomena.

Chapter 7: The Future of Ghostly Matters

* Summary: Concludes by discussing the ongoing debate and research surrounding ghosts and the paranormal. Explores future directions for scientific investigations and the potential for a better understanding of the nature of ghosts.
* Real Example: The work of the Ghost Research Society, a scientific organization dedicated to studying paranormal phenomena, is presented as an example of the continued search for answers about ghosts.