Deification in Literature & Literary Theory

Deification: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Deification: Etymology/Term

The term “deification” finds its roots in the Latin word “deificatio,” which is derived from “deus,” meaning god, and “facere,” meaning to make or create. It refers to the process or act of transforming an individual or entity into a deity or treating them as divine.

Meanings and Concept

• Divine Transformation: Deification involves elevating a mortal being to a divine status, attributing god-like qualities or characteristics to them.
• Cultural and Religious Contexts: Found in various religious and mythological traditions, deification is often linked to hero worship, where exceptional individuals achieve a divine status after death.
• Spiritual Union: Some philosophical and mystical traditions view deification as a process of spiritual union with the divine, emphasizing a transcendent connection between humans and gods.
• Imperial Cults: In historical contexts, rulers and emperors were sometimes deified, particularly in ancient civilizations like Rome and Egypt, where the state promoted the worship of leaders as gods.
• Symbolic Representation: Deification can also serve as a symbolic representation of ideals or virtues, where figures are revered and treated as divine embodiments of certain qualities.
• Artistic Expression: Literature, art, and mythology often explore the theme of deification, portraying stories of mortal beings ascending to divine realms, showcasing the human fascination with the divine and the extraordinary.

In essence, deification encapsulates a multifaceted concept involving the transformation, veneration, and attribution of divine qualities to individuals or entities, manifesting in various cultural, religious, and philosophical contexts throughout history.

Deification: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Deification is the conceptual process of elevating a mortal being or entity to a divine status, imbuing them with god-like qualities or attributes. This term is often rooted in cultural, religious, or philosophical contexts, where individuals or figures undergo a transformation, becoming objects of reverence or worship. Deification serves as a symbolic expression of spiritual transcendence, reflecting humanity’s perennial fascination with the divine and extraordinary.

Deification: Theorists, Works and Argument

1. Mircea Eliade:
   • Work: “The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion” (1959).
   • Argument: Eliade explores the concept of the sacred and the profane, examining how rituals, symbols, and myths contribute to the human experience of the sacred. He delves into the idea of deification as part of religious expression and the quest for transcendent experiences.
2. Carl Jung:
   • Work: “Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious” (1959).
   • Argument: Jung introduces the concept of archetypes and the collective unconscious, suggesting that certain universal symbols and themes are shared across cultures. Within this framework, deification can be seen as an archetypal motif representing the integration of divine and human aspects within the psyche.
3. Arjun Appadurai:
   • Work: “Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization” (1996).
   • Argument: Appadurai examines the impact of globalization on culture, emphasizing the role of media and the disjuncture between cultural flows and traditional structures. In the context of deification, he might explore how globalized communication shapes the perception and dissemination of divine or revered figures.
4. Lev Manovich:
   • Work: “The Language of New Media” (2001).
   • Argument: Manovich delves into the effects of digital technology on media and culture, highlighting how new media contribute to the convergence of cultural forms. In the context of deification, he may explore how digital spaces and media influence the representation and dissemination of divine or iconic figures.
5. Marshall McLuhan:
   • Work: “Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man” (1964).
   • Argument: McLuhan introduces the concept of the “global village,” emphasizing the role of media in shrinking the world and facilitating cultural exchange. In the context of deification, McLuhan’s ideas may be applied to analyze how media influence the perception and dissemination of revered figures on a global scale.
6. Sue Monk Kidd:
   • Work: “The Secret Life of Bees” (2003).
   • Argument: Kidd’s novel touches on the deification of maternal figures, particularly the Black Madonna. The narrative explores the transformative power of maternal love and the symbolic elevation of motherhood to a divine realm, emphasizing its impact on personal growth and healing.

These theorists and works provide a diverse range of perspectives on deification, touching on its cultural, psychological, and global dimensions.

Deification: Major Characteristics

1. Elevation to Divine Status: Deification involves the process of elevating an individual or entity to a divine or god-like status. This transformation often signifies a profound shift in perception, where mortal beings are regarded with veneration reserved for the divine.
2. Attribution of Divine Qualities: Those undergoing deification are ascribed with divine qualities, attributes, or powers. These may include characteristics such as wisdom, immortality, omnipotence, or a connection to the divine realm.
3. Cultural and Religious Significance: Deification is deeply embedded in cultural and religious contexts. It frequently appears in myths, rituals, and religious doctrines, illustrating the human inclination to revere exceptional individuals or entities as divine.
4. Symbolic Representation: The concept of deification often serves as a symbolic representation of ideals, virtues, or archetypal qualities. Figures elevated to a divine status may embody and exemplify specific cultural or spiritual values.
5. Transformation through Ritual or Myth: Deification may be associated with transformative rituals or myths. These narratives depict the journey or process through which an ordinary being transcends mortality to become divine, offering a template for spiritual transformation.
6. Connection to Hero Worship: Deification is sometimes linked to hero worship, where individuals who exhibit extraordinary courage, accomplishments, or virtues are revered and eventually treated as divine figures.
7. Historical and Imperial Deification: Throughout history, rulers and emperors in various civilizations were often deified, contributing to imperial cults. The state-sponsored elevation of leaders to divine status reinforced political authority and loyalty.
8. Spiritual Transcendence: In certain philosophical and mystical traditions, deification is associated with the idea of spiritual union with the divine. It signifies a transcendent connection between humans and the divine realm.
9. Cultural Expression in Art and Literature: Deification is a recurring theme in artistic and literary expressions. Myths, sculptures, paintings, and literature often depict the process of deification, reflecting cultural beliefs and human fascination with the divine.
10. Symbolic Immortality: Deification can confer a form of symbolic immortality upon the deified figure. Even if the physical body ceases to exist, the deified entity lives on in the collective consciousness as a divine and enduring presence.

Deification: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Deification
Myth Criticism	Deification is central to myth criticism, as it explores how myths often involve the elevation of figures to divine status. This theory considers the symbolic and cultural significance of deification within mythological narratives.
Archetypal Criticism	In archetypal criticism, deification is relevant as it relates to the portrayal of archetypal figures with divine attributes. Such figures often embody universal symbols and themes, contributing to the collective unconscious and recurring in literature.
Postcolonial Theory	In postcolonial literature, deification can be examined in the context of how colonizers or imperial powers imposed their cultural values, sometimes deifying their leaders. It contributes to the exploration of power dynamics and resistance in postcolonial narratives.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Psychoanalytic criticism may analyze deification as a manifestation of psychological desires, exploring how the human psyche, through literature, grapples with the need for transcendence, immortality, or the divine.
Cultural Studies	Deification is relevant in cultural studies as it reflects cultural values, beliefs, and the construction of identity. Examining deification in literature allows for an understanding of how cultures represent the divine and negotiate their beliefs through storytelling.
Feminist Criticism	In feminist literary theory, deification can be explored concerning gender dynamics. Analyzing how female or male characters are deified or disempowered in literature provides insights into cultural expectations and representations of gender.
Postmodernism	Postmodernist literary theories may deconstruct deification, questioning traditional representations of divinity. This perspective may explore how literature challenges or subverts conventional notions of transcendence and authority.
New Criticism	Deification can be examined within New Criticism by analyzing its role in shaping the meaning and themes of a literary work. This approach focuses on the text itself, exploring how deification contributes to the overall aesthetic experience.
Reader-Response Theory	Reader-response theory considers how readers engage with deification in literature, acknowledging that interpretations may vary based on individual experiences and cultural backgrounds. It emphasizes the active role of the reader in constructing meaning.
Structuralism	Structuralist approaches may analyze deification as a structural element within a literary work, examining how it functions within the narrative, contributes to the overall system of signs,

Deification: Application in Critiques

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez:
   • Deification in Cultural Memory: The novel explores the deification of characters through the lens of cultural memory, as the Buendía family becomes legendary figures in Macondo. Márquez employs magical realism to symbolize the transformation of ordinary individuals into mythical beings, emphasizing the enduring impact of their actions on the collective consciousness.
2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller:
   • Deification as Tragic Motif: Miller’s retelling of the Iliad delves into the deification of Achilles, portraying his vulnerability as a demi-god. The novel explores the tragic consequences of being deified in both mortal and divine spheres, examining the complex intersection of mortality and divinity in the life of a legendary hero.
3. American Gods by Neil Gaiman:
   • Contemporary Deities in a Modern Context: Gaiman’s novel introduces the concept of deities existing in contemporary America, struggling with obscurity as belief wanes. Deification is explored in the context of cultural shifts and the evolving nature of worship. The novel raises questions about the relevance of ancient deities in a modern, diverse society.
4. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd:
   • Deification of Maternal Figures: Kidd’s novel touches on the deification of maternal figures, particularly the character of the Black Madonna. Through the journey of the protagonist, Lily, the novel explores the transformative power of maternal love and the symbolic elevation of motherhood to a divine realm, emphasizing its impact on personal growth and healing.

In each critique, the application of the concept of deification enhances the analysis of characters, themes, and cultural elements within the literary works, providing a lens through which to explore the transformative and symbolic dimensions of the narratives.

Deification: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Divinization	The process of becoming divine or god-like.
Apotheosis	The elevation of an individual to divine status, often after death.
Transcendence	Going beyond ordinary limits, often associated with spiritual elevation.
Sacralization	The attribution of sacred qualities or status to a person, object, or concept.
Idolization	Excessive admiration or worship, often applied to revered figures.
Hero Worship	Admiration and veneration of heroic or exceptional figures.
Elevation to Divinity	The act of raising someone or something to a divine level.
Sanctification	The process of being made holy or sacred.
Exaltation	A state of extreme happiness, often associated with divine elevation.
Veneration	Reverential regard or respect, often directed towards a deity or revered figure.

Deification: Suggested Readings

1. Appadurai, Arjun. Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. University of Minnesota Press, 1996.
2. Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. Harcourt, Brace & World, 1959.
3. García Márquez, Gabriel. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harper & Row, 1970.
4. Jung, Carl. Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press, 1959.
5. Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees. Penguin Books, 2003.
6. Manovich, Lev. The Language of New Media. MIT Press, 2001.
7. McLuhan, Marshall. Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McGraw-Hill, 1964.
8. Miller, Madeline. The Song of Achilles. Ecco, 2011.
9. Zafón, Carlos Ruiz. The Shadow of the Wind. Penguin Books, 2001.