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Medical
Rhetoric in the US and Africa: Megan
Biesele
A US oncologist's words, taped during a death in the last decade, dramatically ritualizes and reiterates pronouncements of his patient's terminal status, convincing her that death is imminent. She is encouraged to prepare herself rather than attempt healing. The oncologist termed the task of announcing terminal status a central responsibility--to help the patient to a "good death." He needed to help the patient prepare spiritually and make the best use of her remaining time. Simultaneously he was reinforcing the claim of the medical establishment to ritual and symbolic hegemony over the bodily processes of life and death. This death is compared to rituals in Africa among the Ju/'hoan (!Kung) Bushmen (San). For them, healing and religion are inextricably linked in altered-state performance. Life and death are in the hands of God. Healers are not paid or set above others; healing energy only multiplies by being shared. Healers do not announce terminality; the affirm life and hope. Both !Kung and US beliefs are cultural constructs. Dying is a cultural performance.
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