Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and the Tradition of the Private Sphere: An Analysis of Symbols
- 1 May 1982
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying
- Vol. 12 (3) , 241-267
- https://doi.org/10.2190/0dga-bqp5-lntb-a93g
Abstract
Assuming that Kubler-Ross' denial-to-acceptance schema has been adopted by the public on symbolic, not scientific terms, the paper analyzes the symbol “acceptance” and shows how that symbol is part of a strong American tradition of symbols of the private sphere. The paper shows that “acceptance” is created as a symbol to oppose the organized technology of modern medical systems; the paper shows that the tradition of the private sphere rose in the American Victorian period as a response to organized technology. The paper ends by questioning the rejection of technology as an adequate basis for a cultural death symbol. The first part of the paper is an analysis of Kubler-Ross' work and the second part is a sociology of knowledge of her work.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Feminine Symbols and DeathTheology Today, 1975