Paranormal America By Bader, Mencken, And Baker: An Analysis

Throughout recorded history, man has sought explanations for the various phenomena that occur in every facet of nature, and when no obvious answer is forthcoming, still a theory is often proposed.  These explanatory theories, often taking the form of stories or chronicles, are usually linked to some sort of mysticism or divine intervention.  By ascribing that which he does not understand to the gods’ will at work, man avoids facing up to his own lack of knowledge in a given area, and also draws comfort from assuming that the universe does indeed function under the guidance of divine beings.  Thus the explanatory accounts that man crafts enhance his own security, quelling the fear of chaos that

▪ Post-structuralism or Deconstruction – the theme of metaphysics plays very significant role in this story and the question of people’s lives is raised. This metaphysical view sees literature functioning beyond the periphery but rather associates every human phenomenon with supernaturalism.

Singer and Benassi (1981) described a positive correlation between environmental uncertainty in western countries and occult beliefs. Although it could be argued that they may be overreaching with this generalization which is not supported with data, there is truth to this correlation. Humans try to be rational, and logical, and think critically, but in uncertain situations, we look to our environment, the physical and social environment, to provide us with information. Therefore, superstitions and supernatural phenomenon seem possible if no logical explanation can be given, and if the feedback from the environment reinforces what could be occult beliefs. French, Haque, Bunton-Stasyshyn, & Davis (2009) conducted an experiment attempting to investigate whether they could try to create a “haunted” room, and if participants would experience more abnormal sensations. Participants were informed they may feel some abnormal sensations prior to entering the room. Majority of participants reported having three or more abnormal sensations in the 50-minute period they were in the room. These sensations can be a result of susceptibility, but the uncertainty of that environment, and the lack of information may create these sensations and can validate occult

"The invisible world": disease, natural catastrophes, and bad fortune attributed to work of the devil.

Lyn Di Iorio and Laura Restrepo in their respective novels have managed to provide an overview that how supernatural and mystical powers and entities can change the life and perspective of individuals. Both of the novels entitled as Outside the Bones and Delirium are having a similar theme of conventionality and ghostliness.

Superstition as an ‘excessively credulous belief in and reverence for the supernatural’ is often associated with perilous endeavours, and a psychological need to latch on to a mechanism to allow hope for the preservation of the fragile human condition. This systematic and illogical belief in the supernatural is extensively prevalent throughout Faulks’ novel, during the linear storyline of Stephen and other orbital characters it is referenced through not only irrational fears but additionally rituals of extispicy.

Over many years, people have been inquisitive about abnormal behaviours within their societies and beyond. A typical question pertaining to these behaviours is, “why is he behaving this way.” According to DSM-IV-TR, abnormal behaviour is defined as a person who experiences behavioural, cognitive or emotional dysfunction, associated with distress and atypical in his cultural context (Barlow, Durand, 2009). However, the quest for answers and remedies has drifted people from scientific models to traditional ones. One of such models is supernatural.

The House of the spirits is a book that contains a lot of supernatural events. Throughout this book it is easily seen that there is a political battle going on. There are many elements that are seen that include religion, marriage and family. The history of the author and the historical events that were occurring at the time had a huge impact on the book and how it was written. Many cultural influences also affected the book.

Unexplainable singularities are inevitable. Society does not have the solution to every dilemma or anomaly that transpires. Undeniably, two fields of study that still has unidentified surfaces are the human psyche and supernatural activity. Scientists and researchers, regarding the psychology of the mind and supernatural happenstance, uncover new data and statistics every day. A psychological disorder can develop at any junction in a person’s life and encompass peculiar behavior in the way a person feels, thinks, and acts. In the novella, “The Queen of Spades” by Alexander Pushkin there are several key elements that provide the reader with enough data to formulate that the main character’s mental stability triggers the manifestation of the late Countess. Conversely, Stanley Kubrick’s movie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, “The Shining,” demonstrates strong indications of the supernatural.

C. The Societies and the Supernatural

The Supernatural, a manifestation attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature (Literary Jewels), examples of that would be ghosts, angels, and gigantic human sized bugs. The story containing supernatural elements may have a religious purpose, such the role of angels and demons in Islam, Judaism and Christianity; or the supernatural elements may portray notions about reality such as issues in social justice, discrimination, or alienation and the sense of belonging. Of course, there are many ways to incorporate supernatural elements in novels and movies, but we will focus on two works that describe the issues and factors of alienation and belonging. Franz Kafka and Bernard Malamud are two talented authors

Does God intervene in the world? This may address matters of religious experience and/or miracles. I will further give my personal thought and opinion on the question as well as discuss two different viewpoints on the question. I will discuss the difference between Naturalists and Supernaturalists as well as discussing the point of view on how miracles are not real according to David Hume as well as discussing why I along with J.L Mackie and Richard Swinburne agree that miracles are in fact real.

Charles Dickens’s “The Signalman”, Elizabeth Gaskell’s “The Old Nurse’s Story”, Saki’s “The Open Window” and George Elliot’s “The Lifted Veil” all implement the supernatural to either impose a philosophical dilemma, a moral, or poke fun at the Victorian era’s fascination with the supernatural; furthermore, all of the authors utilize their spirits or spiritual gifts to represent various illnesses that manifest in their characters.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines "supernatural" as "That which is above nature; belonging to a higher realm or system than that of nature; transcending the powers or the ordinary course of nature." Through the duration of mankind’s existence, humans have been fascinated with a higher power that defies the laws of nature. Supernatural themes have stimulated literature and the arts, both ancient and modern. Many parallels can be connected between stories involving the paranormal. The setting of "The Jolly Corner" and The Devil’s Advocate evokes the preternatural.

Since the origin of human life, and probably even before dawn, of man, there have been numerous assorted convictions regarding life existence, and the hereafter. Moving toward for somebody exploring the paranormal, we should keep in mind that distinguished social conviction frameworks may experience a similar phenomenon in an extended assortment of methods. This reality is fundamental as the paranormal activity is equally essential as the action itself. One finest instrument the human being may have is the ability to acquire knowledge for customs that the individual is not used to. Being open-minded of the various extraordinary views of death helps us have a greater experience in our interest on this topic, hence making us more to question the existence, of things the human mind could not understand regarding faith, the afterlife and if there is an appearance of the paranormal. It helps us relate to people who have many exclusive cultures and religions, and may show people how they interpret the perceived paranormal try they are experiencing. They are many unknown’s in life and the biggest question is faith? What happens in the afterlife? What is paranormal? What does the paranormal have anything to do with religion and the afterlife? In this research paper, a group of psychology students conducted a survey asking these questions and with results the group discussed the possible outcome of the answer and came up with a solution that tied in with the hypothesis.