Bibliomancy
Definition:
As the very name itself suggests, this kind of literary device finds its roots in biblical origins. This term refers to the practice of basing a plot happening or event and anticipating the results it will have on a faction of the Bible. It involves a random selection process wherein the biblical passage is chosen as a founding stone for basing the outcome of the writing. In an overall context, not limited to just literature, bibliomancy refers to foretelling the future by turning to random portions of the Bible for guidance.
Example:
The Vedas serve as a tool for Bibliomancy to the Hindus while Muslims rely on the Koran.
Comments
10 comments postedWould the story-line of Chronicle of a Death Foretold be called this? As it is all a juxtaposition to Jesus and his death...the main character is killed in a way that is clearly similar to that of Jesus
Bibliomancy was a form of divination involving the opening of a book (often a holy text) to a random page and seeking inspiration there. Biblio was the Greek word for book, as in bibliophile. The word Bible is eventually derived from Biblio, and is the best known example of this root word.
Would the title of Shakespeare's novel Measure For Measure and the use of verses in the novel count as bibliomancy?
Would having a charactar describe God be an example of bibliomancy?
"Sort of bluish gray eyes. Cool. Big though. White lashes. I say....God wrote the bible, white folks had nothing to do with it." (195, Walker) -The Color Purple
I would call that more of a biblical allusion if anything.
Would a speech by Mother Teresa, specifically her Nobel Prize speech be considered as Bibliomancy?
Would directly quoting a passage from the Bible count as Bibliomancy? Thanks!
no, quoting the bible wouldn't apply. Bibliomancy is when you essential "borrow" a plot point or several plot points from one of the many stories contained in the bible (or any ancient text for that matter).
in Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck writes that Uncle John places the dead baby in a box that floats down stream, reminiscing in a way to Moses. We can also see it when Jim Casy (note the name similarity, Jesus Christ, Jim Casy, they both have JC) leads a strike and protects the people while also discussing radical new philosophies just as Jesus did.
uh,
I'm a high school student (2nd year) from the Philippines. I am going to report about these devices, but i can't understand the example. is there a more vivid example than this please?
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