Superstitions - Sami Albeiruti 9A

 

Superstitions

    Do people still believe in superstitions or have they stepped closer to the realm of science and reasoning? This question has perplexed sociologists and social studies experts for years.  Superstition is “defined as the belief or behavior that is based on the fear of the unknown and faith in magic and luck” (citation: Encyclopedia Britannica, source 1). According to numerous works of literature, I believe that the belief in superstition is abundant.

    Rationalization of an idea reflects on the writer’s belief in the concept. “Beware: Do not read this poem” offers statistics in the poem referring to the amounts of missing people. The writer links the superstition of the old lady in the mirror to the statistic of missing people, obviously relating two of the contexts in an attempt of rationalization. This would reflect on the writer’s opinion of the superstition as a real phenomenon, as a writer with no belief, would rather leave the poem without statistic as to not attempt at legitimizing the idea.

    Furthermore, superstitions have integrated in many cultures around the world, and are still believed to this day. According to the poem “Superstition”, people in Latin America believe that whistling brings bad luck when done indoors. Other than the fact that people in the region believed in it, but when the narrator lives abroad, to where this superstition is not believed in, she still refuses to whistle indoors, showing that the narrator still has faith in the superstition.

    On the other hand, many think that poems that revolve around believing in superstition like “Darkness” and many others are only meant for entertainment and are symbolic, but the writer does not actually believe in the concepts mentioned. However, I do not agree with this argument as literature is meant to reflect on the writer/ poet’s opinion and belief. As seen in the previous poems discussed, there are underlying messages in poetry that reflect on a poet’s opinion. “Dover Beach” may also be seen in this category of poems that are only meant to be a piece of entertainment. However, the poem uses the belief of a Greek philosopher to rationalize the superstition about the Aegean Sea. Rationalization reflected on the poet’s belief via means of ethos show the poet’s belief in the superstition. This would demonstrate the poet’s underlying personal opinion on the superstition without directly mentioning it, as agreeing with it.

    In conclusion, belief in superstition has remained prominent, even in literature. Integration of superstition into modern culture such as whistling in Latin America in the poem “Superstition”, or Inuit throat singing in Inuit culture that is being passed until this day. In addition, literature is an expression of one’s self, and superstition/ belief in superstition as a major theme in poetry indicate that many still believe in them.