Sonic Metaphors
Music, Sound, and Ecofeminist Theology
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 14948624 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Elizabeth Ursic (0000-0002-8498-3686, Mesa Community College, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 247-263 |
| Publication date | 2021-05-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Feminist Theology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0966-7350 • E-ISSN: 1745-5189 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/09667350211000606 |
| OpenAlex | W3162485233 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 14 |
This article explores the relationship between music and ecofeminist theology and investigates how music and sound can advance the development of ecofeminist thought. On a physical level, the act of breathing connects humankind with the earth’s atmosphere and the element of air produces music and sound. On a theological level, traditional church teachings about the power and danger of music have reflected similar warnings about women and nature. Ecofeminist theologian Sally McFague made a persuasive case for metaphorical theology that supported the arts being included in theological development. Religious Studies scholar Heidi Epstein engaged McFague’s metaphorical theology to develop a feminist theology of music and featured female composers including Hildegard of Bingen. I propose that metaphorical theology and music can also connect through the development of sonic metaphors. Sonic metaphors are created with pitch, rhythm, and sound. While most metaphors rely on the eyes to process written text and visual art, sonic metaphors are processed through the ears and offer different pathways for cognition. Sonic metaphors have been underutilized in theology and they offer potential for exploring theological concepts that can be challenging to comprehend through textual or visual means. These metaphors are particularly applicable for developing ecofeminist theology because sound and music can connect our bodies with nature in illuminating ways. I include examples from my own musical background, and I offer suggestions for non-musicians and ecofeminist theologians who want to incorporate sonic metaphors into their own creative theological reflection
Aesthetics · Art · Feminist theology · Literature · Metaphor · Musical · Sociology · The arts · Theology · Visual arts · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Pentecostalism and Christianity Studies · Philosophy · Religion, Ecology, and Ethics
Gyn/ecology
An Introduction to the Metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas
Composer and Dramatist
Imagination, Art, and Feminist Theology
Signals and Systems for Speech and Hearing
Jewish Music in Its Historical Development
Augustine's De Musica
Music in Ancient Israel/Palestine
A Perfect Chord
The Flesh of the Voice
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |